49ers vs Eagles preview (9/17/21)

This Sunday, the 49ers will travel cross country to take on the Eagles at the Linc. Both teams are off to a 1–0 start, and the winner of this game will remain undefeated on the season.

The 49ers present a way tougher task than the Falcons. They have a lethal offensive attack with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm, tight end George Kittle, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and rookie running back Elijah Mitchell.

They have one of the top defensive units in the league led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.

Here are three keys to Sunday’s game.

Get your playmakers active

The 49ers secondary is very depleted after losing starting corner back Jason Verrett for the season due to a torn ACL.

Last week against the Lions, Jared Goff threw for 338 yards, and the offense managed to put up 33 points against a defense that was projected to be one on the best in the league.

If the Eagles are going to win this game, they have to get the ball to their three wide receivers in Devonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Quez Watkins, and if they manage to do that then expect the 49ers defense to struggle against the Eagles offense.

Feed Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell

The 49ers defense allowed over 100 rushing yards last week, and the Eagles managed to compile over 100 rushing yards against the Falcons defense.

The young running back duo in Sanders and Gainwell need to follow up their strong performances from last week and play well this week against a defense that struggled to defend against the run.

Get to the quarterback

If the defense is going to prevent an offense that put up 41 points last week and compiled a total of 449 yards, then they need to get to the quarterback.

For awhile now, the staple of the Eagles defense has been the ability to get to the quarterback, and they need to continue to do that on Sunday.

We saw last week on how dominant this defense could be when the defensive line is clicking on all cylinders.