Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers Playoff Rematch Likely, Predicts Nick Sirianni
The Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) still control the No. 1 Seed in the NFC Playoffs picture even after falling to the San Francisco 49ers, 42-19.
In a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game, the 49ers (9-3) may walk out feeling vindicated after losing last year's postseason game to the Eagles, but it may not be the final word in this recently developed conference rivalry.
"I heard a lot of guys back and forth talking about playing them again, and it's probably going to happen again," Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said following the game. "But there is so much football to be played between now and then...So that can't be in our thought process ... If it happens, it happens, but we're focused on the next game."
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The message is a common one. Move on, learn from it, leave it behind, and focus on the next opponent.
That opponent, the Dallas Cowboys (9-3), is one of the better teams this season, and coming off two 40-point outings isn't a foe the Eagles can not come in unfocused against.
However, there is potential that the loss to San Francisco could serve as motivation. A chance to beat another top NFC team would give Philadelphia two wins in three matchups against some of the NFL's top contenders this season after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) two weeks ago.
Like the trash talk coming from the 49ers' side of things leading up to this game, Sirianni is likely going to tell his team that if it motivates them, use it, but if it doesn't then don't.
"If it helps you, it helps you; if it doesn't, it doesn't," Sirianni said of using external influences as motivation. "But play for each other. With all that, try to play under control...there have been times we've used some stuff like that that it's been good for us; today it wasn't."
There will be plenty of talk about whether or not the Eagles have been exposed following this week's embarrassing loss.
The key for Philadelphia will be turning that talk into internal focus leading to a critical win over their top NFC East Division challenger in Week 14.
