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For most of the 2022-23 NFL betting season, it was a foregone conclusion that the Philadelphia Eagles had the goods to make it to the NFC Title Game. That belief became reality after Nick Sirianni’s troops smashed the division rival New York Giants in the Division Round. Though the Minnesota Vikings won as many regular season games as the San Francisco 49ers, it was the latter that most NFL bettors believed to be the better of the two 13-win teams by a country mile. As such, the two best teams the NFC has to offer will square off for the right to rep the conference in Super Bowl LVII – Let’s break it down!
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Date and Time: Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 3 PM EST
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
TV Coverage: FOX
Betting Lines
PointsBet Sportsbook initially lined the host Eagles 1.5-point home chalk with the total set at 45.5. In garnering 77 percent of the bets and 73 percent of the handle, Jalen Hurts and his mates now clock in as 2.5-point favorites. With so much love for the Eagles, it must be noted that linemakers have still refused to move the betting line to the key number of -3. Though both teams sport two of the best defenses in the league, total bettors have pushed the O/U up a full point to 45.5 even though a majority of the wagers and money has shown in support of a low scorer playing out.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners have looked impressive in a pair of wins and covers against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys to punch a ticket to the NFC title game for the second straight year. Philadelphia represents its toughest challenge of the postseason with Philly’s front seven willing and able to shut the 49ers run game down and force rookie Brock Purdy to beat its top-ranked secondary.
But for as stout and deep Philly is along the D-Line, it’s still given up nearly 122 rushing yards per game (No. 16) and a healthy 4.7 yards per carry (No. 24). With Philly ranked No. 21 in rush DVOA and No. 1 in pass DVOA, it comes to reason that Kyle Shanahan will be calling the numbers of Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell early and often. Provided San Fran is able to stick to the game plan and not deviate due to falling into an enormous hole.
Philadelphia Eagles
Entering the playoffs, NFL bettors had concerns about the Eagles over team health. After smashing the GMEN 38-7 in the Division Round to sweep all three meetings from the division rivals, those concerns were put on hold. Jalen Hurts looked confident both passing and running the football, A.J. Brown looked nimble and unimpeded from the leg injury, and Lane Johnson held his own against NY’s defensive front. Let’s see how the latter fares against Nick Bosa!
But the Niners balanced defense is a completely different animal that will force the Eagles playmakers to take their game to another level if they’re to survive and advance. As great San Francisco has been in holding the opposition to a league-low 16.3 points per game, it’s shown cracks in the secondary that can be exploited. NFL bettors will finally get to discover if Hurts is the Real Deal Holyfield or not!
The Wagers
This is an incredibly tough game to cap. Should we run with the Eagles double-pronged rushing attack and bank on Darius Slay and co. making life a living hell for Purdy, or should we roll with the team that’s been there and done that and just so happens to have another pretty darn good team at its disposal?
I’m running with the later and will bank on the Niners defense keeping Hurts and co. in check while at the same time tire the Eagles defense out with an unforgiving power running game that allows for big plays to Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk to open up once Philly cheats and moves more defenders into the box.
So long as San Francisco is able to quell the opening moments and quiet the crowd for the game’s duration, the Niners will be able to play their game and punch a ticket back to the big game by defeating the Eagles in what I expect to be a low scorer.
Bet the NFC Title Game at PointsBet Sportsbook
