The San Francisco 49ers travel to Philadelphia this weekend to take on the Eagles. This game will feature two overall great teams, but especially two great defenses. Statistics are an important factor to look at in any game, and although they don’t tell the whole story, it is good to look at the strengths and weaknesses of each side. Here are how the Eagles and 49ers stack up against each other statistically ahead of the NFC Championship Game. 

Rushing Offense

Philadelphia Eagles

Team Rushing Yards per Game: 154.3

Last Three Games: 156.7

 

Rush Yards per Attempt: 4.7

Last Three Games: 5.1

 

San Francisco 49ers

Team Rushing Yards per Game: 139.7

Last Three Games: 154.3

 

Rush Yards per Attempt: 4.7

Last Three Games: 4.5

I look at the two teams and lead with their elite defenses, but they both have some incredible run games as well. Overall, the Eagles have one of the best running games in the entire league, and in this case, are better than the 49ers in most rushing categories. On the season, the Eagles average more rushing yards per game, but the same yards per attempt as San Francisco. Over the last few games, though, the 49ers yards per rush attempt are down while the Eagles are up. DVOA agrees with these statistics as it has the Eagles ranked as the best running game across the NFL (15.4%), which of course means better than the 49ers (-0.5%).

 

Rushing Defense

Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: 121.4

Last Three Games: 125.3

 

Opponent Rush Yards Allowed per Attempt: 4.7

Last Three Games: 4.9

 

San Francisco 49ers

Opponent Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: 79.0

Last Three Games: 80.3

 

Opponent Rush Yards Allowed per Attempt: 3.4

Last Three Games: 3.6

While the Eagles have an argument for the best running game in the entire league, the 49ers have that same argument when it comes to their run defense. The 49ers give up less rush yards per game to their opponents than the Eagles, and also fewer yards per rush attempt. Over their last three games, San Francisco has looked better in both categories as well. DVOA has the 49ers ranked as the second-best run defense in the NFL (-23.6%) and ranked higher than the Eagles (-1.9%).  It will be fun to watch this strength on strength matchup on Sunday.

 

Passing Offense

Philadelphia Eagles

Team Passing Yards per Game: 236.3

Last Three Games: 200.3

 

Pass Yards per Attempt: 8.1

Last Three Games: 7.2

 

San Francisco 49ers

Team Passing Yards per Game: 230.5

Last Three Games: 221.7

 

Pass Yards per Attempt: 8.0

Last Three Games: 9.2

This category is super close between the two respective teams. The Eagles do seem to have the edge slightly when looking at the season as a whole, averaging a bit more yards passing per game and also slightly more yards per pass attempt. Over their last three games, however, Philadelphia has seen a dip in their number, but that could be due to the Jalen Hurts injury. The 49ers, on the other hand, have seen an increase in efficiency over their last three games, getting more yards per pass attempt than Philadelphia’s averages. DVOA seems to think the 49ers have the edge, however, having them ranked as the third best passing offense in the NFL (35.7%) compared to the Eagles being the ninth best (23.9%).

 

Passing Defense

Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent Passing Yards Allowed per Game: 175.9

Last Three Games: 149.3

 

Opponent Passing Yards Allowed per Attempt: 5.4

Last Three Games: 4.9

 

San Francisco 49ers

Opponent Passing Yards Allowed per Game: 222.3

Last Three Games: 209.3

 

Opponent Passing Yards Allowed per Attempt: 6.4

Last Three Games: 6.3

The two teams both have extremely strong secondaries, but one statistically is a lot more dominant than the other. The Eagles have allowed fewer yards passing per game, and fewer yards per pass attempt than the 49ers. Over their last three games, the Eagles have looked even stronger, getting both of their numbers down, and remaining better than San Francisco’s. The 49ers have a strong pass defense (-8.0%), but DVOA still thinks highly of the Eagles, having them ranked as the best pass defense in the NFL (-15.5%).

 

Takeaways

Philadelphia Eagles

Takeaways per Game: 1.6

Last Three Games: 0.7

 

San Francisco 49ers

Takeaways per Game: 1.8

Last Three Games: 2.7

This is an interesting statistic to look at because these close games can come down to turnovers. Despite leading the NFL for the first half of the season in takeaways, the Eagles numbers have drastically dropped. The 49ers average more takeaways per game looking at the season as a whole, but it is close. Looking at their recent games, however, the 49ers have looked far better at getting takeaways, as they have gotten an average of over two a game, whereas the Eagles have gotten less than one per game.

 

Statistics according to NFL.com, teamrankings.com, and Football Outsiders DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).