The Philadelphia Eagles return to the Super Bowl with a 31-7 win over a San Francisco 49ers team that’s true to their identity, with a solid ground game, quarterback sneaks, and an uncompromising defensive front.
All four of the Eagles’ touchdowns came on the ground, including two by running back Miles Sanders and one by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who snuck across the goal line from 1 yard out near the end of the third quarter.
Temple alumnus Hasson Reddick led the Eagles’ defense by being involved in two turnovers: a strip sack and a halftime fumble.
The 49ers haven’t been the same formidable opponent they have been over a 12-game winning streak. Quarterback Brock Purdy elbowed a sack of Riddick midway through the first quarter. He was replaced by Josh Johnson, the fourth quarterback to play for the 49ers this season, until Johnson suffered a concussion early in the third quarter.
Purdy returned later but was clearly diminished, going running back Christian McCaffrey to form the Wildcats to close out the game.
It was a devastating end to the season for the 49ers, who had come to the brink of the Super Bowl despite repeated injuries at the most important position on the field.
For the Eagles, this game marked a triumphant return to the Super Bowl five years after their last appearance – though this time, with a different head coach, Nick Siriani, and a different quarterback, Hurts.
Although Purdy was injured, the 49ers stayed in the game for most of the first half. But late in the second quarter, right after Sanders’ second rushing touchdown of the game, Johnson fumbled. Riddick recovered the ball, and the Eagles scored for the second time in less than two minutes, giving them a 21-7 lead going into halftime.
A Hurts touchdown extended Philadelphia’s lead to 28-7 at the end of the third quarter. The 49ers managed only 47 yards offense in the second half, and landed key penalties on defensive and special teams, further pushing the Eagles and diminishing their chances of a comeback.
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