SANTA CLARA — In a remarkable turnaround, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs, revisiting a site that holds painful memories from last season.
The earlier encounter between these two teams in January 2023 was a tough one for the 49ers, culminating in a 31-7 loss in the NFC Championship Game. This defeat was further compounded by Brock Purdy’s devastating elbow injury that effectively ended the 49ers’ Super Bowl hopes that day.
As they gear up for their playoff rematch, optimism runs high among the 49ers’ squad. “Recency bias,” commented fullback Kyle Juszczyk to NBC Sports Bay Area. “I remember the blowout victory we had in ’23.” Indeed, the 49ers previously faced the Eagles in the 2023 regular season and secured a convincing 42-19 victory, where Purdy threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns.
Reflecting on the past, Purdy acknowledged the importance of moving on from the setback. “I already went there in 2023 and played after what happened in ‘22,” he stated. After suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the pivotal playoff game the previous year, Purdy had his share of doubts about his future. However, after undergoing surgery, he made a full recovery in time for the 2023 training camp, where he excelled, breaking single-season records for the franchise with 4,280 passing yards and a passer rating of 113.0.
This upcoming rematch is not only a chance to settle old scores but also signifies the team’s resilience following past adversities. Purdy is keenly aware of how others may still connect the narrative to last year’s championship game. “People out there, they seem to fixate on ’22,” he remarked. “But I think ’23 just proved that we were able to bounce back and it’s not an impossible task to go in there and win.”
With the confidence derived from their recent success and Purdy’s impressive form, the 49ers are poised to face the Eagles once more, hopeful of securing a victory and solidifying their status as a formidable force in the playoffs.