The Eagles’ quest for back-to-back titles ended in dramatic fashion as the defending champions fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 23-19, in a wild-card showdown at Lincoln Financial Field.
At a Glance
- Philadelphia’s season ends in the opening round after a four-point loss
- Tight end George Kittle left on a cart with an Achilles injury before halftime
- Lane Johnson was ruled out after being limited all week in practice
- Dallas Goedert became only the second Eagle ever to log both a TD catch and a TD run in a postseason game
- Why it matters: The loss sends the 49ers to Seattle for a divisional-round clash with the Seahawks and sets Philadelphia into an early off-season
The game remained tight throughout, with San Francisco edging ahead in the final minutes and holding on as Philadelphia’s last drive stalled. The setback denies the Eagles a chance to repeat and leaves questions swirling around injuries that hampered the roster down the stretch.
Key Injuries Swing Momentum
George Kittle suffered the contest’s most serious blow. The Pro Bowl tight end was carted off late in the second quarter and immediately ruled out with an Achilles injury. His absence forced the 49ers to lean on their wide receivers and running game to move the chains.
Philadelphia’s offensive line also took a hit. All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, who had been limited all week in practice while nursing an injury, was ruled out before kickoff. Johnson’s absence left second-year lineman Brett Toth to face San Francisco’s vaunted pass rush.
Dallas Goedert provided a rare bright spot. The tight end hauled in a touchdown reception and later punched in a short rushing score, becoming just the second player in franchise history to record both a TD catch and a TD run in a playoff game. The other: Hall of Fame running back Steve Van Buren in the 1948 championship game.
Drive Summary
| Quarter | Key Plays | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 49ers FG, Eagles TD run by Goedert | 7-3 PHI |
| 2nd | Kittle injured, SF adds FG & TD | 13-10 SF |
| 3rd | PHI FG, SF TD pass | 20-13 SF |
| 4th | PHI FG, SF FG, PHI TD pass | 23-19 SF |
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy engineered two second-half scoring drives, capping one with a 17-yard strike to wideout Brandon Aiyuk. Philadelphia answered with a Jake Elliott field goal and a late Jalen Hurts touchdown pass to A.J. Brown, but the Eagles could not close the final gap.
What Comes Next
The 49ers advance to face the top-seeded Seahawks next weekend in Seattle. The divisional-round matchup pits two NFC heavyweights that split their regular-season series 1-1.
For Philadelphia, the off-season begins earlier than anticipated. General manager Howie Roseman must now evaluate roster needs, including depth along the offensive line and at tight end, while coach Nick Sirianni will review a season that ended with back-to-back losses.
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ repeat bid ends at the first hurdle
- Injuries to Kittle and Johnson altered both teams’ game plans
- Goedert’s historic performance offers a silver lining
- San Francisco moves on to a divisional-round showdown in Seattle
According to News Of Philadelphia, locker-room reaction was somber but appreciative of the season. Veterans acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining championship form while vowing to use the early exit as motivation for 2027.
