The Eagles' dismantling of the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 creates a blueprint for how the 49ers can bounce back in 2025.
The Philadelphia Eagles were able to do what the San Francisco 49ers were uncapable of doing: win the Super Bowl grudge match over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Philly, which was on the losing end of K.C.'s first of back-to-back Super Bowl victories, ensured quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. wouldn't three-peat. The 40-22 demolishing of Kansas City has to be cathartic for quarterback Jalen Hurts, head coach Nick Sirianni and the rest of Philadelphia after what transpired two years prior.
Alas, though, Niners fans probably don't feel so enthusiastic or happy. Cue the chants of "that should have been us a year ago."
The Faithful should be optimistic, though. If for no other reason than the Eagles' comeback provides a clear blueprint for how San Francisco can not only bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign but also upend the Chiefs in a Super Bowl, should it come to that once more at the end of 2025.
These three lessons are clear as can be for the 49ers.
No. 1: 49ers must invest (heavily) in the defensive line
In the two Super Bowls he's lost, Mahomes was under immense duress, first against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pass rush and then again versus Philly, which didn't bother to blitz.
Eagles' Defensive Line during the playoffs:
— PFF (@PFF) February 10, 2025
🟢 92 pressures
🟢 15.0 sacks
🟢 54.4% pass rush win rate pic.twitter.com/I3RBLTzhyj
Unfortunately, the Niners have let their once-vaunted defensive line deplete in recent years, effectively leaving defensive end Nick Bosa serve as the No. 1 serious pass-rushing threat.
Kyle Posey of Niners Nation explained what San Francisco has to do from here:
"We learned that if you want to win a Super Bowl, you must build through the trenches.
The 49ers have the ideal depth pieces in place. Nick Bosa is the star. Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins are quality starters. Yetur-Gross Matos, Jordan Elliott, and Evan Anderson are serviceable rotational players. If the 49ers hit on a couple of defensive linemen in the draft, they’ll be in good hands.
It’s difficult to ignore what we saw in the Super Bowl and come away thinking that defensive tackle isn’t a premium position."
The 49ers own the No. 11 overall pick in this April's draft, and it's safe to assume that pick will be used on a defensive lineman.
No. 2: Turnarounds can be quick
As Posey mentioned, a couple of D-linemen can make all the difference, namely for the Niners on that side of the ball.
Let's rewind, though, to the tail end of 2023 when Philadelphia wholly collapsed in the second half following a 42-19 blowout at the hands of San Francisco in Week 13. From that point through their Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles gave up an average of 30.6 points per game while winning just one more contest following a 10-2 start to the season, ultimately finishing with an 11-6 record.
In came a new defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, and Philly made some key defensive additions to correct the woes.
The 49ers hope a reunion with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh can lead to a similar path back to success, provided the aforementioned additions in the trenches tip the scale.
Putting it bluntly, Philadelphia went from a laughingstock late in 2023 to a Super Bowl champion a year later.
No. 3: Brock Purdy doesn't have to play Superman
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts took home Super Bowl MVP honors, deservedly so. But even he pointed out postgame the real MVP from the big game should be the defense.
Indeed, Hurts' efforts versus K.C.'s own defense under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are commendable: 17-of-22 passing for 221 yards, two touchdowns against an interception, all for a passer rating of 119.7. Plus, Hurts' own rushing abilities -- 11 attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown -- can't be overlooked.
But these numbers aren't other-worldly. If anything, they should inspire confidence for the Niners' own quarterback, Brock Purdy.
Hurts didn't have to put on a proverbial cape in the Super Bowl. He let his defense do its share of heavy lifting while executing when the opportunities arose.
Like Purdy in 2023, Hurts was surrounded by an array of offensive weaponry in his path to the Super Bowl, including an MVP candidate in running back Saquon Barkley and elite pass-catching weapons in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Purdy will have a similar context entering 2025, which bodes well for a bounce-back year.
Hurts didn't play beyond his game. Purdy can take that lesson, too.