The San Francisco 49ers head into halftime trailing in a win-or-go-home Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, battling a hostile environment, swirling 35+ mile-per-hour winds, and early playoff tension.
The tone was set from the opening kickoff as both teams leaned into a charged, physical start. Pregame jawing spilled into live action, the Philly crowd roared from the first snap, and two teams with recent postseason history matched each other's intensity throughout the opening half.
Philadelphia entered the game 5-0 at home in the postseason under head coach Nick Sirianni, while San Francisco arrived with a strong January track record of its own. The 49ers are 6-0 in Wild Card and Divisional Round games since 2019, but found themselves tested early amid the wild environment. Adding to the stakes was a highly anticipated showdown between the NFL's two most recent AP Offensive Player of the Year winners, RB Christian McCaffrey and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley.
San Francisco showed early aggression on the opening drive, highlighted by a 61-yard connection from QB Brock Purdy to WR Demarcus Robinson which followed in a touchdown. The game remained tightly contested as Philadelphia answered with a physical response of its own.
The first half unfolded as a true postseason battle, with momentum swings, defensive stops, and field-position challenges shaped by the wind and atmosphere. The 49ers defense delivered key moments, including a stuff by DL Sam Okuayinonu and a fourth-down pass breakup by CB Upton Stout that helped keep the game within reach.
an Francisco did face a late first-half setback, as TE George Kittleexited the game with an injury and did not return before halftime—he will be out for the rest of the game. S Ji'Ayir Brown's status for the second half is questionable.
Halftime Snapshot
- Score: 13-10 PHI
- Total yards: 186 SF, 188 PHI
- Turnovers: 0
- Third downs: 3/6 SF, 3/7 PHI
What's Ahead
The Eagles are playing without standout right tackle Lane Johnson, who is inactive with a foot injury, while the 49ers will look to adjust in the second half, particularly without Kittle and a questionable Brown. Philadelphia will aim to protect its home-field advantage, while San Francisco will look to be resilient with its season on the line.
