By Dan Gelston
PHILADELPHIA — Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter, helping the San Francisco 49ers eliminate the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles with a 23-19 wild-card victory on Sunday.
The 49ers will now head to top-seeded Seattle next weekend for an NFC divisional playoff game. The NFC West rivals split the season series this year, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup.
Purdy threw for 262 yards and secured the road win in Philadelphia—a feat he was unable to accomplish three seasons ago when he was injured during a dismal outing in the NFC title game. Despite two interceptions thrown by Purdy, both picked off by All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles were only able to convert three points off those turnovers.
San Francisco could face Seattle without star tight end George Kittle, who was carted off the field late in the first half with a right Achilles tendon injury.
The Eagles, who previously won a Super Bowl thanks to a trick play, were foiled by one of their own. On the first play of the fourth quarter, wide receiver Jauan Jennings executed a trick play, rolling right after receiving a pitch and hitting McCaffrey on a 29-yard touchdown pass. This score gave the 49ers a 17-16 lead.
Philadelphia responded with Jake Elliott’s 33-yard field goal in the quarter to briefly regain a 19-17 lead. However, the Eagles’ offense struggled throughout the game. Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts threw for only 168 yards and one touchdown, and the team failed to capitalize on a 13-10 halftime lead. The Eagles managed just 36 total yards on 16 plays in the entire third quarter.
The Eagles’ final drive ended in disappointment when Hurts was incomplete on a last-ditch fourth-and-11 attempt with 43 seconds left, sealing their fate and ending their hopes for a repeat championship.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/11/49ers-eliminate-defending-super-bowl-champion-eagles-playoffs-nfl/
