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

49ers vs. Eagles stat No. 1: Turnovers

Penalties can be bad during any playoff game. A turnover can be disastrous. Just ask quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, as his turnovers were vital parts to the 49ers’ divisional-round victory.

No surprise here, but both the Niners and Eagles are similarly matched in the turnover-differential department:

• San Francisco: Plus-13 (first)
• Philadelphia: Plus-8 (third)

Ironically, Dallas was in between at plus-10, but both the 49ers and Eagles are happy to see the Cowboys out of the picture.

Want your voice heard? Join the Niner Noise team!

Write for us!

One of the reasons why that took place is because Niners quarterback Brock Purdy protected the ball and avoided throwing interceptions despite the regular pressure Dallas was able to bring. While Purdy didn’t necessarily wow in any other department during that game, avoiding the turnovers was a vital reason behind San Francisco’s victory.

Jalen Hurts tossed only six interceptions during the regular season, so he’s not prone to turning the ball over like Prescott.

To counter, Purdy and the 49ers will need to protect the ball, too, when both teams square off on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field.