At a Glance
- Jauan Jennings’ 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey gave the 49ers a 17-16 fourth-quarter lead
- San Francisco entered the game missing multiple All-Pros including Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle
- The 49ers won 23-19 despite fielding a depleted roster on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions
- Why it matters: The victory keeps alive San Francisco’s dream of playing a home Super Bowl and showcased the team’s resilience amid historic injury adversity
The San Francisco 49ers entered their wild-card showdown in Philadelphia without a staggering list of star talent. Linebacker Fred Warner, edge rusher Nick Bosa, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, rookie Ricky Pearsall and defensive back Dee Winters were all unavailable. The team also lost safety Ji’Ayir Brown early in the contest and All-Pro tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles shortly thereafter. Right tackle Trent Williams, 37, returned from a hamstring injury but admitted he took a risk by coming back early.
Facing the reigning Super Bowl champions on their home field, the 49ers appeared to be on the brink. Then the fourth quarter began.
The Trick Play That Changed Everything
On the first snap of the final period, quarterback Brock Purdy handed the ball to fifth-string wideout Skyy Moore on a jet sweep. Moore pitched it back across the field to Jauan Jennings, a 2020 seventh-round draft pick now thrust into the role of top receiver. Jennings planted his feet and delivered a 29-yard touchdown strike to running back Christian McCaffrey, putting San Francisco ahead 17-16.
The play mirrored Jennings’ earlier heroics. In Super Bowl LVIII he connected with McCaffrey on a 21-yard catch-and-run score against Kansas City. That game ended in defeat. This one did not.
Injury-Depleted Roster Defies Odds
The 49ers’ victory came despite fielding one of the most injury-ravaged rosters in recent memory. Beyond the inactive All-Pros, backups including Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, Kevin Givens and Jacob Cowing also missed the game. The team still finished the regular season 12-5 and now advances to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, where they opened the year with a last-second win.
Jennings, initially recruited to Tennessee as a dual-threat quarterback in 2015, entered the weekend as the first player in NFL history to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating in multiple playoff games for the same franchise, per NFL+.
Comparing Quarterbacks Under Pressure
Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts had five attempts traveling 15 or more air yards and completed none. Purdy, throwing to a depleted receiving corps headlined by free-agent signing Demarcus Robinson and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, went 3-for-5 for 122 yards and one interception on such passes.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh have guided talented 49ers teams to championship games and Super Bowls before, only to fall short against Kansas City twice. This roster has faced unprecedented adversity, yet remains two wins from a home Super Bowl.
What’s Next
Linebacker Fred Warner could return for a potential NFC Championship Game, keeping the 49ers’ dream of playing the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium alive. The Seahawks await in the divisional round, the same opponent San Francisco edged in Week 1.
The Eagles, meanwhile, exit the playoffs with a mostly healthy roster that included Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Their repeat bid ends empty-handed and leaves the franchise facing questions about its high-priced stars and coaching staff.
Key Takeaways
- San Francisco’s season has been defined by next-man-up resilience
- Jauan Jennings’ versatility as a former high-school quarterback has provided critical playoff sparks
- The 49ers’ path to a championship at home remains intact despite historic injury adversity
- Philadelphia’s early exit raises doubts about the roster construction around Jalen Hurts
