**San Francisco 49ers Advance with Gritty 23-19 Win Over Eagles in Wild Playoff Battle**
Postseason football is defined by grit and narrow margins, and the San Francisco 49ers thrived in that intense environment. On Sunday, they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 at a raucous Lincoln Financial Field, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Despite entering the game as the No. 6 seed in the NFC, enduring a hostile crowd, and suffering a tough Achilles tendon injury to star tight end George Kittle, Kyle Shanahan’s squad refused to back down.
Up next: a rematch with the Seattle Seahawks.
Here’s a look at the studs and duds from a thrilling contest that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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### STUDS 💪
**Demarcus Robinson, WR**
In a season filled with surprises, Robinson—who has struggled in man-to-man coverage this year—was a revelation for the 49ers. On only the second play, he beat arguably the best cornerback in the NFC, Quinyon Mitchell, in man-to-man coverage to score a 63-yard touchdown. He followed that up with another man-to-man touchdown catch and finished as San Francisco’s top target with 6 receptions for 111 yards.
**Brock Purdy, QB**
Purdy mixed in some precise, layered passes in a game where the 49ers struggled to run the ball effectively until late. Despite tossing two interceptions, Purdy was clearly the superior quarterback on the field and the driving force behind the victory. He ended the day with 262 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 24 crucial rushing yards.
**Jauan Jennings, WR**
Stepping up as the de facto tight end after Kittle’s injury, Jennings made a critical 45-yard reception in the run game. He also showcased his versatility by throwing a beautiful 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey to give the 49ers a 17-16 lead late in the fourth quarter. Jennings proved he’s a hell of a football player.
**Christian McCaffrey, RB**
Though it took some time, McCaffrey saved his best for the final moments. He showed impressive burst running late in the game, caught a remarkable touchdown pass off Jennings’ throw despite windy conditions, and then hauled in the game-winning touchdown with just five minutes remaining.
**Upton Stout, NB**
San Francisco’s best defender over the past month-plus, Stout continued his strong performance on Sunday. He reached a point where the Eagles simply stopped testing him, a testament to his impact.
**Marquese Sigle, FS**
Sigle’s absence in the second half of the season has been a mystery, but when called into action Sunday due to Ji’Ayir Brown’s injury, he was exceptional both in pass coverage and run support.
**Eric Kendricks & Garret Wallow, LBs**
In a bold move, the 49ers started two linebackers recently added to the roster in a playoff game—and both delivered. Kendricks, in particular, was fantastic and made a pivotal game-winning pass breakup.
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### DUDS 📉
**Kendrick Bourne, WR**
It’s Week 19 of the season, so why is Bourne still unfamiliar with the plays? This weekly issue proved costly on Sunday when he lined up incorrectly during a two-minute drill, forcing the 49ers to burn their third timeout in the first half. If they had that timeout, they might have kicked a field goal before halftime.
**Deommodore Lenoir, CB**
In a departure from their usual strategy, the 49ers placed Lenoir on the boundary side of the field (short side), rather than his customary right side. The Eagles exploited this matchup relentlessly, and Lenoir gave up yards early and often.
**Colton McKivitz, RT**
San Francisco’s most reliable offensive lineman this season was overmatched by Jaelen Phillips. Though Purdy did well to evade pressure from the right side, McKivitz faced constant harassment.
**All 49ers Defensive Tackles (except C.J. West)**
Philadelphia’s offense features a one-read quarterback with limited arm strength, but their power running game overwhelmed the 49ers’ defensive tackles. The Eagles effectively deployed double teams and wham blocks, neutralizing San Francisco’s interior defense.
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The 49ers showed heart, resilience, and adaptability in a tough road environment, overcoming adversity to keep their playoff hopes alive. Fans can expect another fierce showdown when they face the Seahawks in the next round.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/01/11/studs-and-duds-the-next-man-up-49ers-beat-the-eagles-with-depth-early-stars-late/