Though it is no longer fresh in memory, the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game loss from the previous season still hurts.
Fred Warner can still see the wounds from how San Francisco’s 2022 season ended, which adds a tiny bit of significance to this season’s playoff push.
“You always remember those moments,” the All-Pro linebacker said during the 49ers’ postseason bye week. “I believe it’s critical in situations like Philadelphia’s last year. The confetti is falling as you watch. On stage, you can see them wearing hats and T-shirts. You’re just standing there taking in all the action while they’re content.
In the game, the 49ers lost quarterback Brock Purdy and backup Josh Johnson to terrible injuries, which significantly reduced their prospects of defeating the Eagles and making it to the Super Bowl. According to Warner, the defense of San Francisco continued to think it might win against Philadelphia.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case, as the Eagles won 31–7 in the end after closing the game with 24 consecutive points.
Warner claimed that the loss seemed to have happened both yesterday and an age ago.
Warner expressed that he could picture himself at that same moment. “What’s terrible is that you can’t just close your eyes and go back to having the chance to do it again,” Warner added. You begin with OTAs, minicamp, then training camp.
It seems like we were just yesterday, but you blink and here we are, rebuilding the squad from the ground up. The playoffs are about to begin, and we’re back where you want to be with a chance to do something great with the right kind of individuals.
The 49ers kept the core group that survived that heartbreaking loss in Philadelphia despite adding a few players to their roster in the offseason. Their next playoff trip begins on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. PT as they host the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round. This experience has given them confidence and a greater sense of purpose.
Warner stated, “I believe that’s the purpose of the scars.” “You recall those times. I mean, how am I supposed to not give this my all? How am I supposed to make sure it matters to me, my teammates, and the coaches, of course? That is the purpose of those scars.
