Analysis: The NFC is running through Philadelphia, but the 49ers and Cowboys aren’t far behind
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The NFC goes through Philadelphia. The top three contenders showed their positions on Thanksgiving Day.
Detroit took a step back. Dallas celebrated with another losing team. San Francisco was impressive again. The Eagles have a firm grip on the No. 1 seed but the race could tighten down the stretch.
The 49ers (8-3) prepare for an NFC Championship rematch against Philadelphia (9-1) on Dec. 3 with Convincing 31-13 win in Seattle Thursday night.
Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the rest of San Francisco’s dynamic offense racked up 377 yards and the defense was dominant.
The 49ers have now won three in a row since losing three in a row. They blew out Dallas 42-10 before injuries to wide receiver Deebo Samuel and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams contributed to a losing skid. They defeated Jacksonville 34-3 to start their latest winning streak.
The Seahawks (6-5) had a chance to retake the lead in the NFC West but they were there No matchup with the 49ers After trailing 24-3 at halftime. They got to 24-13 but San Francisco’s defense became tight.
If the Eagles lose at home to Buffalo (6-5) on Sunday, their matchup against the 49ers next week will be for first place in the conference.
The 49ers are Philadelphia’s main competition because they are the most complete team. They lost Purdy to an elbow injury last year in the first quarter of a 31-7 loss in the NFC title game. They will need him at his best to get a chance this time. Purdy has thrown 18 touchdown passes and just six interceptions, but is prone to making dangerous throws, including one that was returned for a TD by Seattle.
After the Eagles, the 49ers again face Seattle, Arizona (2-9), Baltimore (8-3) and Washington (4-7).
Cowboys (8-3) Leaders shook 45-10 to achieve its seventh victory by at least 23 points. Dak Prescott had another great game, throwing four TD passes. DaRon Bland sets an NFL record with his fifth pick For the season Micah Parsons added 1 1/2 sacks to his total.
“Obviously we feel good about what we have,” Prescott said. “We feel good about the guys we have, the plays we’re going to call, the matchup, the film study we’ve done, the preparation, the game plan. I rely on these coaches week in and week out. They set the record straight and put the playmakers in their best position, and yeah, it’s confidence. Easy.” thus.”
But the knock against Dallas is the strength of schedule. The Cowboys have never defeated a team that currently has a winning record. They were blown out by San Francisco, outplayed themselves in a 28-23 loss to Philadelphia in Week 9 and lost to the pathetic Cardinals in September.
Dallas will have a tough road to get past Philadelphia. The Cowboys’ next five games will be against teams that are currently 36-17.
The Lions (8-3) started Day 1’s game behind Philadelphia and finished it looking like a team that could lose a playoff game at home to extend the longest drought in postseason wins in the NFL.
They were outdone from start to finish 29-22 loss to Green Bay Packers. After needing to rally to beat a lowly Bears team four days ago, Detroit played worse. Jared Goff followed up a triple-double against Chicago with three assistsincluding one that was returned for a result.
The Lions’ biggest problem is a defense that couldn’t stop Jordan Love, who tied a career-high with three TD passes.
But the schedule helps Detroit. The Lions face New Orleans (5-5), Chicago (3-8) and Denver (5-5) over the next three games.
“We just have to get back to what we’re doing and play with a little rhythm,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “This is not something I want to come to in a panic.”
Since 1990, 34 of the 66 seeds have reached the Super Bowl, with 15 winning it. The top seed is even more important now that only one team in each conference has earned a bye since the playoff format was expanded to 14 teams in 2020.
The Eagles entered the weekend in a comfortable place, but the 49ers and Cowboys showed they weren’t far behind.
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