[lex24]

Playoff records of the starting QBs in the 2022 season NFC CG

Brock Purdy: 2-0
Jalen Hurts: 1-1

Some preliminary thoughts on this Niners-Eagles matchup:

QB - Even (despite Hurts clearly being a superior physical athlete and Purdy a rookie)
RB - Even
WR - Eagles
TE - Niners
OL - Eagles
DL - Even
LB - Niners (this is the largest edge of any position group, IMO)
CB - Eagles
S - Niners

Even the positions I'd argue there is an edge, it's not like the other side is chopped liver. Nobody has a real advantage, IMO. That means it comes down to coaching (which includes execution), turnovers, and the vagaries of penalties.

Not really directed at OF. (Shockingly:)) But I’ve never understood why matchups are analyzed in this manner. You see it all the time. To me, its  irrelevant, for example, how the Niners WR’s compare to Philly’s WR.  What is relevant is how Niners WR match up to Eagles DB’s and vice-versa.

I have to go back a ways to think of my best example of this. But to me it’s the 1985 Super Bowl. When everyone was “comparing“ Montana and the Niner offense to Marino and Miami’s  offense, and giving Miami the edge. Going into that game there was one glaring difference. The 49ers had a terrific defense, and Miami’s defense was decidedly average.  So you had two elite units – 49er and Miami offense, one elite defense – 49ers, and one mediocre defense – Miami. Big edge  to the 49ers. I knew they’d win that game. Course I have to go all the way back to ‘85 to find a time when I was actually right. But that’s another issue….

Trying to use a similar approach in this game is difficult. But I think where the Eagles have their biggest advantage is their wide receivers against the 49ers DBs. Brown is a beast and Smith is pretty damn good as well.

On the other side of the ball, Eagles have been average defending the run. And of course the 49ers are very good at exploiting that.  Setting aside, turnovers, which always mix up any analysis, I think this game comes down to which of those groups wins. In other words, does the 49er, defensive backfield win their match up with the Eagles wide receivers. Conversely, can the 49ers run game, win their match up with the Eagles run defense. (I do think the Eagles will load the box and dare Purdy to beat them). If those happen, I think the 49ers win. Again, discounting turnovers. On the other hand, if the 49ers can’t run the ball effectively and give up A couple big plays to the Eagle WR’s it could be a very, very long day. Not just the 49ers losing, but getting hammered. (I realize this is kind of a “duh”. )

No predictions on the score. I will say this has been one of the most fun 49er years since the glory days of the 80’s. So, I’m very glad to have had the season extended to be able to watch these playoff games. Hoping it gets extended for just one more!

[lex24]

Playoff records of the starting QBs in the 2022 season NFC CG

Brock Purdy: 2-0
Jalen Hurts: 1-1

Some preliminary thoughts on this Niners-Eagles matchup:

QB - Even (despite Hurts clearly being a superior physical athlete and Purdy a rookie)
RB - Even
WR - Eagles
TE - Niners
OL - Eagles
DL - Even
LB - Niners (this is the largest edge of any position group, IMO)
CB - Eagles
S - Niners

Even the positions I'd argue there is an edge, it's not like the other side is chopped liver. Nobody has a real advantage, IMO. That means it comes down to coaching (which includes execution), turnovers, and the vagaries of penalties.

Not really directed at OF. (Shockingly:)) But I’ve never understood why matchups are analyzed in this manner. You see it all the time. To me, its  irrelevant, for example, how the Niners WR’s compare to Philly’s WR.  What is relevant is how Niners WR match up to Eagles DB’s and vice-versa.

I have to go back a ways to think of my best example of this. But to me it’s the 1985 Super Bowl. When everyone was “comparing“ Montana and the Niner offense to Marino and Miami’s  offense, and giving Miami the edge. Going into that game there was one glaring difference. The 49ers had a terrific defense, and Miami’s defense was decidedly average.  So you had two elite units – 49er and Miami offense, one elite defense – 49ers, and one mediocre defense – Miami. Big edge  to the 49ers. I knew they’d win that game. Course I have to go all the way back to ‘85 to find a time when I was actually right. But that’s another issue….

Trying to use a similar approach in this game is difficult. But I think where the Eagles have their biggest advantage is their wide receivers against the 49ers DBs. Brown is a beast and Smith is pretty damn good as well.

On the other side of the ball, Eagles have been average defending the run. And of course the 49ers are very good at exploiting that.  Setting aside, turnovers, which always mix up any analysis, I think this game comes down to which of those groups wins. In other words, does the 49er, defensive backfield win their match up with the Eagles wide receivers. Conversely, can the 49ers run game, win their match up with the Eagles run defense. (I do think the Eagles will load the box and dare Purdy to beat them). If those happen, I think the 49ers win. Again, discounting turnovers. On the other hand, if the 49ers can’t run the ball effectively and give up A couple big plays to the Eagle WR’s it could be a very, very long day. Not just the 49ers losing, but getting hammered. (I realize this is kind of a “duh”. )

No predictions on the score. I will say this has been one of the most fun 49er years since the glory days of the 80’s. So, I’m very glad to have had the season extended to be able to watch these playoff games. Hoping it gets extended for just one more!