By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 27 January 2023
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
The four teams that are still in the competition will be dreaming of the Vince Lombardi trophy, but they’ve still got conference finals to play. Any team that goes this deep into the competition has Super Bowl pedigree, which is why picking a favorite is significantly harder.
The 49ers and the Eagles were the two most dominant NFC sides all season, which makes this a dream match-up. Both teams were comfortable in their Divisional Round matches and will face their first real test in this round. The Eagles got a bye week before destroying the Giants 38-7, whereas the 49ers got the better of the Cowboys with a 19-12 scoreline.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
Any question marks surrounding Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ shoulder were put to rest in the Divisional Round match against the New York Giants. Hurts went 16 of 24 for 254 yards with two touchdowns and had nine carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. This didn’t look like a performance from someone recovering from an injury.
Hurts also has an excellent supporting cast with wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Miles Sanders. They’re not just a mean machine in offense, though. This side also managed to hold teams to just 5.5 net yards per pass attempt and 3,057 passing yards in the regular season. This is the sort of roster that is built to win Super Bowls.
According to sportsbooks with NFL markets, the Eagles will rightfully go into this game as favorites. They had a 14-3 record in the regular season and tailed off toward the end of the regular season because of Hurts’ absence. If Hurts shows up like he has all season, even the 49ers defense won’t be able to handle him.
The Eagles haven’t played the 49ers in the last few years, which should allow them to go into this game with no real baggage. They don’t have much playoff experience in recent years either, so they can go into this match with a clear head. The same can’t be said for the 49ers. The Eagles should use all these subtle advantages in their favor because they’ve got it all technically, physically, and tactically.
The 49ers have got a new hero in rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. Since Purdy’s inclusion in week 13, the 49ers haven’t lost a game. Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might be fit now, but most 49ers fans want Purdy to stick around.
Purdy showed his class once again against a difficult Cowboys side with 214 yards on 19 for 29 passing, three carries for eight yards, and no turnovers. Lots of credit needs to go to coach Kyle Shanahan for building an offense that allows an inexperienced quarterback to fill in for starters easily.
Tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and running back Christian McCaffrey have also got to take a lot of credit for managing the offensive burden with such ease. But, of course, this isn’t a team that’s known for its offense – it’s the team’s defense that has got them so deep into the playoffs once again. They’ve allowed 6.4 yards per pass attempt and 3.4 yards per carry.
With both sides having such strong defenses, a lot might be asked of Purdy, and it’ll be fascinating to see if he can deliver in the big moments. He clearly doesn’t have the experience of Hurts, but this nothing-to-lose attitude might be just what this hardened and experienced 49ers side has been lacking for the last few seasons.
The NFC finals has all the makings of a low-scoring affair. Both teams have dominant defenses and the two quarterbacks will have to put in the performances of their lives to turn the match in their favor.
Jalen Hurts has shown this season that he’s capable of putting in those performances, whereas Purdy has been throwing in surprises with every game he participates in. These sides don’t often meet each other, which adds another layer of uncertainty.
Both teams fully deserve a place in the Super Bowl, but the Eagles have the edge heading into this tie. They have hardly put a foot wrong all season, and there’s no uncertainty surrounding them at the moment. It’s their match to lose, and there’s nothing to suggest that they will lose. For those thinking about betting on the football this week, bet on the Eagles.
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