The 10* most important 49ers entering wild card game vs Eagles
- - The 10* most important 49ers entering wild card game vs Eagles
Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAYJanuary 11, 2026 at 4:03 AM
0
The San Francisco 49ers will need all the help they can get Sunday on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game.
The Eagles (11-6) have lost four of their last seven games, though, as Jalen Hurts and Co. begin their title defense in earnest. The 49ers (12-5) have won six of their previous seven games and look to avenge their 2023 NFC Championship Game loss to Philadelphia.
This time, things look slightly different.
In that 2023 meeting, the 49ers were (mostly) without quarterback Brock Purdy, who tore his UCL on the first drive of the game.
Purdy is back but injuries continue to plague San Francisco this year as it will be missing key players like receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa − they've all missed most if not all of the regular season.
The 49ers have still found ways to continue rolling. Players have stepped up their play, whether it's veteran stars coming through time and time again or emerging players rising to the occasion.
San Francisco will need winning plays and championship effort to get past the Eagles.
Here's who the 49ers need to perform in order to advance and ultimately have a chance to win it all.
Note: This list doesn't include guys such as Fred Warner, Dee Winters or anyone who appeared on the injured reserve list or has already been ruled out.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
The 10* most important 49ers heading into the playoffs10. Eddy Pineiro, place kicker
Pinero will need to be practically automatic, as he was all regular season with his 96.6% field goal percentage, tied for fifth in the NFL among place kickers.
He only missed one kick all season, which was beyond 50 yards. Besides that one-off, Pineiro has been perfect when going for three points. Pineiro had four extra-point field goals missed, or blocked, in 2025.
Kickers are important, especially in the playoffs. It's where they make their money, their legacies. All too often games come down to a field goal or an extra point, make or miss. The 49ers need their kicker to show up in Philadelphia. Show them why you get paid, or should get paid, the big bucks.
9. Kyzir White, linebacker
With a 47-degree, rainy day forecasted in Philadelphia, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a lot of running from Saquon Barkley and others. And of course, who can forget about the Tush Push on short yardage.
San Francisco is dealing with so many injuries to its linebacker core, including Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune − the team's leading tacklers this season − the 49ers will need recent signee Kyzir White to step up in a big way.
White, 29, only played one game in 2025 for the Tennessee Titans, recording three tackles in a 41-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. However, he was a standout a couple seasons ago for the Arizona Cardinals, leading the team with 90 tackles in 2023 and finishing second in 2024 with 137.
8. Jauan Jennings, wide receiver
Jennings has to provide the 49ers with a wideout target they can depend on, as he was throughout the season, whether catching passes from Purdy or Mac Jones.
He led the 49ers with nine receiving touchdowns, proving to be a reliable target and a red zone go-to.
Jennings ended the 2025 season with 55 catches for 643 yards. He averaged 11.7 yards per catch. The 49ers are going to need those automatic first downs to help them win against the Eagles.
7. Kyle Juszczyk, fullback
Juszczyk is just as important a weapon as Jennings. The 34-year-old fullback has been the complete package throughout his nine years in San Francisco.
Although his numbers have declined, in comparison to previous years, he's still proven to be a great option for the 49ers.
He's been a decent blocker for his position and when needed, he's a dependable short-yard receiving target and a hard-nosed runner who makes things happen in short-yardage situations.
6. The entire offensive line
This game is going to come down to who has the best offensive line, and the 49ers frontline needs to dominate the game that might be murky and wet.
The Philadelphia Eagles are praised for their offensive line, but the 49ers' is no slouch, either. Although they could be without Trent Williams (questionable) due to an ailing hamstring, knee and ankle, the San Francisco line as a unit is one to reckon with.
The combination of Spencer Burford, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz and Austen Pleasants, if Williams can't go, has helped spur the 49ers offense, making things easy for their skill guys. That's going to be key heading into Sunday's wild card matchup. If they have Williams, then things are already looking good for the Bay.
5. The 49ers' secondary
San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown (27) reacts during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks.
Since we're putting emphasis on entire units, let's enter the 49ers' group of defensive backs. The 49ers defense allowed 232.4 yards per game, 25th most in the league.
There's a lot of talk about Jalen Hurts not being a passing quarterback, but he can torch teams through the air, if you allow him to. The secondary core of Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown must not allow the Eagles to dominate the air.
More importantly, don't get caught in expecting the run, given the Philadelphia forecast.
4. George Kittle, tight end
Kittle is a bright light for the 49ers, in the locker room and on the field, and he's going to be needed dearly in Sunday's game, for the good times, and potentially bad.
He's missed six games in 2025 due to injury. He suffered an ankle injury but was a full participant in the 49ers' Friday practice, their team site said.
In 11 games, Kittle tallied 57 catches on 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
3. Christian McCaffrey, running back
McCaffrey has been the most valuable player for the San Francisco 49ers, really since he was traded there from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 20, 2022.
In 2025, McCaffrey nearly had 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards. It would've been the second time he accomplished the feat. He ended with 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. As a receiving target, he racked up 924 yards and seven touchdowns. The best stat: he hasn't lost a fumble all season.
San Francisco will need McCaffrey to be in usual form. Foresee him getting touches all game long, whether as a ballcarrier or a receiver out of the backfield. His production is key to the 49ers offense as a whole. They will go as far as CMC takes them.
2. Brock Purdy, quarterback
Purdy gave the "Niner Faithful" hope when he came back from injury to continue to lead the 49ers. He was throwing dimes, finding multiple receivers and even running for scores.
Purdy threw a career-high five touchdowns in a 48-27 "Monday Night Football" win against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 22, 2025. His consistent play helped the 49ers to a six-game winning streak from Week 11 to 17.
Purdy finished the season throwing for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in nine games played. He also ran for three touchdowns. The 49ers need Purdy to continue his stellar play for a chance to make a deep run this postseason.
It's time for Purdy to etch his name as one of the best quarterbacks in 49ers history. A Super Bowl win can do that, but first it starts with the wild card round against Philadelphia.
1. Kyle Shanahan, head coach
Shanahan is an important piece to all of this. He's the head coach, so of course, he can't physically affect the outcome. But still, he has to put his team in the best position to win. That comes with decision-making on play calls and whether to kick or receive first in an overtime situation.
Most of all, it's quieting the noise, murmurs and reminders of the three Super Bowls he's lost after holding double-digit leads.
It happened twice as 49ers head coach, but the most widely-criticized comeback allowed was the Super Bowl 51 loss against the New England Patriots when, as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator, his team lost a 28-3 lead.
There's no doubt that the collapse in Super Bowl 58 is still on the minds of all 49ers. Not being able to compete in last year's postseason due to a mix of sustained injuries and losses, really struck a nerve with San Francisco. The 49ers came back in the 2025 regular season and now seem more ready than ever to prove that they are one of the top teams in the league.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Most important San Francisco 49ers entering playoff game vs Eagles
Source: “AOL Sports”
