The San Francisco 49ers are going to have to overcome a lot when they take to the road and face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field during the Wild Card round of the postseason.
Despite not boasting a high-octane offense, Philly's defense isn't too far off from what the Niners just ran into in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, scoring a mere three points in the process. And if Philadelphia opts to let All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley rush freely, a weak San Francisco run defense is wholly vulnerable.
Sure, there are plenty of offensive and defensive X-factors at stake for the winner-moves-on showdown.
But there's one that could truly tilt the balance of the game in the 49ers' favor.
49ers could rely on special teams to beat Eagles in Wild Card round
In looking at head-to-head matchups for the playoffs, few consider special teams as a real game-changing factor. Yet the Niners understand all too well how better special teams play can ultimately determine the outcome of a game.
Remember the 2022 divisional-round bout at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers?
This is one area in which San Francisco has a distinct advantage over the Eagles. Despite some early setbacks, the 49ers' oft-overlooked third phase came on strong in the second half of the season under coordinator Brant Boyer, steadying in the return game and on both extra points and field goals. Field position improved, too, granting the offense shorter fields while aiding the defense by forcing opponents into longer drives.
While the Niners' DVOA metric on special teams over the course of 2025 was average-ish, since Week 11, Boyer's unit has been near the very top.
In contrast, Philly's special teams have been the polar opposite:
Eagles DVOA since Week 11:
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) January 5, 2026
Offense: #25
Defense: #4
49ers DVOA since Week 11:
Offense: #2
Defense: #25#49ers have the top Special Teams unit in the NFL, while the Eagles' ST group is ranked 24th in the NFL in the same time frame.
In terms of offense versus defense, both sides appear poised to deploy a strength-against-weakness matchup.
How that balances out is anyone's guess. But, as it did against the Packers a few years ago in postseason play, San Francisco might be able to hinge upon superior special teams abilities to pull off an upset and advance beyond Philadelphia.
The 49ers and Eagles kick off on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET.