Whitner says 49ers will defeat Eagles and take the #1 spot in the NFL. first broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers’ greatest test of the 2023 NFL season is just one week away, and the result will have a significant impact on the top NFC playoff spots.
The Eagles and San Francisco will square off in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field the following Saturday.
As the Eagles (9-1) prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, they lead the 49ers (8-3) by a game and a half in the battle for the NFC’s top spot.
After the 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 31–13 on Thanksgiving night, Donte Whitner, an analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area, projected that the Eagles would fall to the Bills, setting up a Week 13 matchup for the NFC championship.
Earlier this week, Whitner stated, “The 49ers have revenge on their mind,” during the most recent episode of “Hitner’s Hot Take.” “The Philadelphia Eagles are visiting this week. With a 9-1 record, the Philadelphia Eagles are leading the NFC playoff race at the moment. However, I predict that they will fall this weekend to the Buffalo Bills, improving their record to 9-2 and setting up a huge clash with the 49ers.”
The 49ers will have three additional days of relaxation before Sunday’s NFC title game rematch because they played on Thanksgiving.
That’s a big deal in Whitner’s mind.
“[With] three extra days of rest and preparation, the 49ers will be at full strength,” Whitner stated. “Having a healthy Brock Purdy, who’s currently leading the league in completion percentage, QBR [and] touchdown-to-interception ratio, will be huge.”
Whitner thinks the 49ers will have a significant advantage with a healthy offensive line, but he thinks San Francisco’s defensive line could make all the difference on Sunday.
“In my opinion, this game is gonna boil down to the 49ers’ defensive line with Chase Young, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave compressing the pocket and making it very uncomfortable for Jalen Hurts,” Whitner stated. “[If] they take away the deep ball and the explosive plays on the outside, they tackle well and win the turnover differential, next week, the 49ers will be No. 1 in the NFL power rankings.”
The 49ers won’t be able to tie Philadelphia for the record with a victory the following week if the Eagles defeat the Bills in Week 12. But regardless of what transpires this Sunday, if San Francisco wins the following weekend, it would be hard to argue against Whitner’s assessment of which club is the greatest in the NFL.
