Ouch!published at 22:48 Greenwich Mean Time 29 January 2023

22:48 GMT 29 January 2023

San Francisco 49ers 7-28 Philadelphia Eagles

An 11th penalty of the game on San Francisco and this one is pure frustration as Dre Greenlaw is flagged for continually punching at the ball after the whistle with the Eagles runner already wrapped up in a scrum. Just about sums up the Niners tonight.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think the Eagles would rather play the Chiefs. They won't come out and say it though. Kansas City have shown they're susceptible to teams running the ball against them. I think we saw that against Jacksonville last week.

Former NFL Super Bowl MVP quarterback Kurt Warner: "I really don't know what you do at this point, if Purdy can't do it and you put Juszczyk in at quarterback that doesn't really give you options down the field either. You just feel for the 49ers after the season they have had."

The 49ers go for it on fourth down, they have to, but Deebo Samuel is smashed after he gets the hand-off from the one-armed Purdy and Philly will take over on downs.

Greg Olsen, former NFL tight end, on Fox Sports: “This is frustrating for the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan. All you want is a fair shot and a chance to show what you’ve got. It’s hard to play without a functioning quarterback.”

Here we are then, Philadelphia 15 minutes away from their fourth Super Bowl, and unless the Niners somehow get some points on this drive then that will likely be that.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live

You just have to avoid the punter. They'll tell you that at any level of football. They'll call it every time.

Speaking of flags, Deebo Samuel is back deep on the kick return as they try to spark some life into their team. But his 30 yard return is the subject of a holding penalty.

Dante: SanFLAGcisco. You might not be able to control them freak injuries but you can stop these senseless penalties that have handled Eagles the momentum time and time again.

Andrew Priestley: The 49ers have lost their heads completely, penalties on or after every single play.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live

This game didn't unravel for the 49ers the second Josh Johnson came in. He led them to a touchdown drive and their defence stopped the Eagles three straight times.

But if Brock Purdy can't throw the ball, aren't you better off with somebody else who can run the ball, with Deebo Samuel or Christian McCaffrey taking direct snaps? I feel like you are at this point.

Image source, Getty Images

Jalen Hurts breaks a tackle in the backfield before rushing for the first down. He is clearly out of bounds and Talanoa Hufanga inexplicably hits the quarterback for a personal foul and the Eagles are inside the 49ers two yard line.

On the design quarterback run, Jalen Hurts runs right behind Jason Kelce for 12 yards. Think his fans would rather see him slide than take another big hit like the one Deommodore Lenore just put on him.

Another backbreaking penalty for the 49ers. As Jordan Mason is called for roughing the punter that gives the Eagles a fresh set of downs and keeps the offence on the field.

On third-and-five the Eagles draw up a deep shot down the right side, but Charvarius Ward is with Quez Watkins stride-for-stride and he knocks the ball away at the last moment.

On third-and-five DeMeco Ryans dials up pressure, and Hurts just about gets a low throw to Kenneth Gainwell. He spins up field before making two defenders miss for a 17-yard gain.

It's a solid first two plays of the drive as two runs leave them on third-and-three. Jalen Hurts drops back and finds a wide open DaVonta Smith for the first down.

Former NFL cornerback Jason Bell on Sky Sports: “Now it is all about the screen game. How many short passes can you throw? Because if Purdy doesn’t have confidence throwing down the field, you’re going to have to move it some way.”

Unsurprisingly, the Eagles defence is daring Brock Purdy to throw the ball as the two runs on first down are stopped behind the line of scrimmage.

A third-down screen pass to Christian McCaffrey looks promising, but Kyzir White is completely missed by the offensive line and he stops the play for a short game.

The good news for the 49ers is that Mitch Wishnowsky's punt pins Philadelphia deep in their half.