The NFC Championship rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers took place, but this is probably not the last time we see these two teams play.
The Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 42-19, but they are still the top seed in the NFC Playoffs.
The 49ers (9-3) may feel vindicated after losing to the Eagles in last year’s postseason game in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game, but this may not be the last word in this recently developed conference rivalry.
After the game, Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni stated, “I heard a lot of guys back and forth talking about playing them again, and it’s probably going to happen again.” But between now and then, there is a ton of football to be played…Thus, that cannot be what we are thinking about. We’re focused on the next game, but if something happens, it happens.”
The message is widely understood. Proceed, take what you can from it, move on, and concentrate on your next opponent.
The Dallas Cowboys (9-3) are one of the better teams in the league and a formidable opponent for the Eagles to underestimate after two straight games in which they scored 40 points or more.
It is possible, though, that San Francisco’s defeat could act as inspiration. After defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) two weeks ago, Philadelphia would have two victories in three games against some of the NFL’s best teams this season if they were to defeat another elite NFC team.
Similar to the 49ers’ trash talk in the days preceding this game, Sirianni will probably advise his team to use it if it inspires them, but to disregard it if it doesn’t.
“If it helps you, it helps you; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Sirianni said of using external influences as motivation. “But play for each other. With all that, try to play under control…there have been times we’ve used some stuff like that that it’s been good for us; today it wasn’t.”