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49ers vs. Eagles: 5 stats that decide NFC Championship game

By Peter Panacy

The San Francisco 49ers defend on a field goal attempt during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers defend on a field goal attempt during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers running back Eli Mitchell (25) Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers vs. Eagles stat No. 4: Rush yards and attempts

One of the best ways to keep opposing defenses on the field is to run the ball, which helps keep that clock moving.

And this is an area in which the 49ers may thrive in an attempt to take advantage of one of the Eagles’ few defensive weaknesses. It’s also something 49ers Webzone’s Al Sacco pointed out:

Philly gave up an average of 4.6 yards per carry on the year. And, as Sacco illustrated, those three Eagles losses from the regular season involved run-heavy approaches by the opponent.

Thankfully, this is precisely head coach Kyle Shanahan’s modus operandi.

Shanahan is likely to be relying heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey during this matchup, even if Philadelphia tries countering with stacked boxes of seven or eight defenders.

After all, wearing down that defense might be the only way Shanahan, McCaffrey and the Niners offense generate successful drives in what otherwise looks to be a low-scoring affair.