Eagles 31, 49ers 7: Shanahan Runs Out of Answers, Eagles Heading to the Super Bowl

I wrote this week about Kyle Shanahan’s wizardry as a play-caller. Having Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk on that 49ers offense helps a ton. It’s one of the most dynamic stable of playmakers in football.

Still, Shanahan’s magic on the whiteboard has created a 49ers team that has thrived with three different starting quarterbacks under center this season. But the question this week was whether or not he could come up with an answer for Philadelphia’s prolific pass rush.

The answer was no.

After Haason Reddick knocked Brock Purdy out of the game in the first quarter, the 49ers’ Super Bowl hopes dissipated. After San Francisco’s defense began to self-destruct with penalties, the Eagles scored two touchdowns in the final minutes of the opening half. Then, it was all but over.

On the second half’s opening drive, fourth-string quarterback Josh Johnson was knocked out of the game with a concussion.

With the injured Purdy forced back into action, the 49ers’ offense was ineffective. Philadelphia’s offense pounded the ball on the ground, with Miles Sanders (two), Boston Scott, and Jalen Hurts all scoring rushing touchdowns.

Philadelphia’s defense feasted on a wounded San Francisco offense. I guess it’s time to grease up the light poles in Philadelphia because the Eagles are heading to the Super Bowl.

Key Moments

Purdy Goes Down

In an early hole after a touchdown drive by the Eagles, disaster struck for the 49ers in the first quarter.

49ers’ Quarterback Brock Purdy was hit on the right arm by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick midway through the first quarter in Philadelphia.

Purdy was seen on the San Francisco sideline working with the trainers focused on his right elbow. Purdy told 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan that he couldn’t go back in, prompting Shanahan to insert backup Josh Johnson.

That brought in Josh Johnson and, ultimately, ended the 49ers’ season. Three starting quarterbacks going down to injury was where the Shanahan magic ran out. They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice, but the 49ers have been hit in the same place a handful of times this season.

Back-to-Back Touchdowns by Miles Sanders and Boston Scott

For a second, I thought that we might be watching “The Christian McCaffrey” game. After Purdy went down, McCaffrey put the 49ers on his back for a game-tying drive.

McCaffrey rumbled in for a 23-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter that evened the score at seven:

Unfortunately for the 49ers, the CMC game was short-lived. After a series of drives in which the defense held the Eagles at bay, they bent.

Defensive penalties helped prolong a long drive for Philadelphia. Miles Sanders finished the job with his second touchdown of the game.

After a fumble recovery by the Eagles on the ensuing San Francisco drive, Boston Scott punched one in. Scott’s touchdown gave the Eagles a 21-7 lead with 16 seconds to play in the first half.

Josh Johnson Goes Down

The 49ers didn’t have much chance coming out of the half. However, any chance they had left disintegrated when Josh Johnson went down.

Josh Johnson took a big hit on the 49ers’ opening drive of the second half, and he left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. Johnson’s injury forced the injured Brock Purdy back into the game. It was all but over with Purdy dealing with an injured elbow and struggling to grip the ball.

written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

more nfl news

Arizona Cardinals Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits

The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a tough season that saw plenty of losses. Just like any rebuilding team though, there are reasons to be hopeful. New head coach Jonathan Gannon seems to be well liked by the team. He...

Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together a Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft today. Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft Round 1, Pick 30: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan Lamar Jackson is the reigning AP and PFWA...

Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Falcons have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and will be looking to fill out their roster around new...

Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks and three third-round picks, giving them plenty...

Falcons Send Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for Another Wide Receiver

The Atlanta Falcons have been doing everything right this week. On Monday, they solved their quarterback problem by signing Kirk Cousins, making Desmond Ridder expendable. Today, Atlanta traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for another wide receiver, Rondale Moore. Atlanta...

NFL Free Agency Winners & Losers: Texans Among the Big Winners; Cowboys Go MIA, More

While NFL free agency isn't "over," most teams around the league have completed the brunt of the heavy lifting. So, let's discuss some NFL free agency winners and losers.  NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers NFL Free Agency Winners Vikings...

Mike Williams Landing Spots in 2024: Patriots, Chiefs, and Giants Among Best Fits

In a move many didn't see coming, the Los Angeles Chargers released wide receiver Mike Williams on Wednesday, March 13th, saving a whopping $20 million against their salary cap. He's now free to test out the NFL waters to determine...

NFL Free Agency Tracker: Live Updates, Rumors, Signings and Trades

As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period, football fans eagerly await the flurry of activity set to unfold in the coming days. Stay up to date with our live NFL Free Agency...

Derrick Henry Signs with the Baltimore Ravens

According to multiple reports, Derrick Henry has agreed to a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Henry confirmed the news by posting on social media that he is excited to join "Flock Nation." Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports Derrick Henry's contract...

The Panthers are Trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants

The Carolina Panthers are sending star pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants in a trade this afternoon. Ian Rapoport confirmed the trade and extension for Burns, but local Panthers beat reporter Sheena Quick was the first to...

Latest News

Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Vancouver Canucks are fancied by oddsmakers to defeat the Buffalo Sabres when they match up on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, with the Canucks at -205 on the moneyline, and the visiting Sabres at +170.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline,...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

more nfl news