It hurts, the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl, beat the 49ers for the NFC title

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts had one of Philadelphia’s four rushing touchdowns and the Eagles rocketed to the Super Bowl, forcing both San Francisco quarterbacks out of the game with injuries and beating the injury-plagued 49ers 31-7 in the NFC championship game on Sunday. .

The Eagles, who won the Super Bowl five years ago under a different coach and quarterback, will try to do so again behind the formidable duo of Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni. Philadelphia will play either the Cincinnati Bengals or former Eagles coach Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs.

“Obviously, this is something you dream about as a kid. All these guys on the team have dreamed about it their whole lives, too,” Sirianni said. “Just being able to do this together with a group of guys who love each other, who are connected to each other, who will do anything for each other is really sweet.”

Miles Sanders ran for two touchdowns and linebacker Haason Redick made the hit that forced 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy out of the game with an elbow injury. Redick also recovered a fumble from Purdy’s backup, Josh Johnson, who later suffered a concussion.

That forced Purdy back into the game, but his injury was clearly a factor as the 49ers gave up throwing the ball, even while trailing by multiple scores.

Ultimately, San Francisco’s bad luck at quarterback was too much to overcome as their 12-game winning streak ended. The Niners lost Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to season-ending injuries, and Purdy, the final pick in April’s draft, lost as a starter for the first time.

Philadelphia police greased traffic and light poles in what has often proved a futile attempt to curb the revelry ahead. But a championship-starved city now has its beloved Birds in the Super Bowl just three months after the Philadelphia Phillies reached the World Series.

“You see this city and the passion they have for this team. We’re so thankful for those fans,” Sirianni said. “Watch this site. There is no place like it in the NFL. It’s a working town, it’s a blue-collar town. We think that’s the type of team we have.”

The game fell apart in the final minutes and Philadelphia’s K’Von Wallace and San Francisco’s Trent Williams were ejected for their roles in a fight. Williams threw Wallace from behind and slammed him to the ground.

At that point, who cared? Eagles fans waved their green towels and went wild as confetti fluttered around them. They sang the fight song, a more forceful “EAGLES Eagles!” – in celebration of a franchise that advanced to its fourth Super Bowl.

The Eagles blew the game open in the final two minutes of the first half, getting a lift from a crowd that had been quiet with nervous energy since a first-half touchdown.

Sanders broke free for a 13-yard run for a 14-7 lead, capping a 14-play, 75-yard drive that was extended by three 49ers penalties.

Johnson took a shotgun snap and fumbled on the ensuing drive, and Reddick, Carolina’s free-agent pickup who had one of the greatest defensive seasons in franchise history, recovered at the San Francisco 30 .Boston Scott went 10 yards for a touchdown and 21. -7 lead.

Even with Hurts almost a non-factor (he had 97 yards passing in the first half), the Eagles were firmly in control. Hurts finished 15 of 25 for 121 yards. His 1-yard touchdown run to the QB in Philadelphia’s signature rugby style made it 28-7.

“It’s been a lot. I’m not going to make this about me,” Hurts said. “This city is a special city. They deserve everything, it’s a special city. We got one more.”

Purdy left the game with an elbow injury after being drilled in the arm by Reddick in San Francisco’s first out, leading to a turnover. The 23-year-old Purdy’s unlikely rise from “Mr. Irrelevant” to playoff starter ended with a whimper as he fell short of becoming the first rookie QB to lead a team to the Super Bowl.

He was unlikely to need him again in the third quarter after Johnson, a backup signed in December, was also injured.

The Eagles thought fast when they scored on their first drive for the second straight playoff game. DeVonta Smith made a sensational one-handed catch for 29 yards, but replays showed he appeared to lose control of the ball as he hit the ground. Smith appeared and frantically waved at the Eagles on the line. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan did not challenge the call and the Eagles punted on the next play. Sanders scored on a 6-yard run.

With little hope they could do anything behind Johnson, the 49ers turned to Christian McCaffrey to get on the board. He broke three tackles on a 23-yard touchdown that made it 7-7 in the second quarter.

With no quarterbacks who could throw, that was about the end for Shanahan’s Niners, who managed 164 yards of offense and 11 first downs.

AT HOME

First Lady Jill Biden, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, actor Bradley Cooper, comedian Kevin Hart and several 76ers, including Joel Embiid, attended the game.

UNTIL THE NEXT

The Super Bowl is February 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

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