49ers @ Eagles: 5 Key Matchups

Here are five key matchups to watch when the 49ers face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday.

1. Colton McKivitz vs. Haason Reddick

Reddick ended the 49ers season in January when they tried to block him with a backup tight end and he injured Brock Purdy. Now the 49ers probably will try to block Reddick with their starting right tackle, but he's not much of a pass protector, either -- McKivitz struggles blocking speed rushers. And Reddick is as fast as they come. McKivitz will need help from tight ends and running backs when it comes time to pass, because he can't block Reddick one on one.

2. Charvarius Ward vs. A.J. Brown

Last week, Charvarius Ward shadowed Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and held him to just 3 catches for 32 yards. This week, Ward probably will have to shadow Brown, who's similar to Metcalf. When Ward and Brown faced each other in the NFC Championship, Ward held him to just 28 receiving yards, because Ward matches up well with big, strong receivers.

3. Brandon Aiyuk vs. Darius Slay

If the Eagles have done their homework, they'll make their best cornerback shadow the 49ers' best wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. Teams who don't do their homework still think the 49ers' best receiver is Deebo Samuel, but he's not -- Aiyuk has surpassed him. Aiyuk currently is as good as any wide receiver in the NFL, and he will destroy the Eagles if they don't take him seriously and cover him with Slay on every play.

4. Deebo Samuel vs. James Bradberry

After the 49ers lost 31-7 to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, Samuel said on the record that Bradberry is "trash." Now Samuel has a chance to prove it. Slay most likely will cover Aiyuk, which will leave Samuel on Bradberry -- a big matchup advantage for the 49ers according to Samuel. Let's see if he's right. Samuel should get lots of targets in this game while Aiyuk battles an elite cornerback.

5. George Kittle vs. Kevin Byard

The Eagles are weak at safety, so they traded for veteran Kevin Byard, who used to be good, but has allowed a passer rating of 115 since joining Philadelphia. Kittle should eat him alive.