Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands off to running back Saquon Barkley. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Here's the foolproof plan for the Eagles to expose depleted 49ers

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 2:49 PM ET

The NFC wild-card playoff matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers appears evenly matched on the surface. However, the Eagles could hold a significant offensive advantage because of San Francisco’s severely depleted linebacker corps.

The 49ers — who are 4.5-point underdogs, according to FanDuel — are struggling to find healthy linebackers to suit up Sunday in Philadelphia (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox). LB Fred Warner suffered a long-term ankle injury in Week 6 and probably won't return this season. Tatum Bethune suffered a season-ending groin injury in Week 18, and Dee Winters and Luke Gifford haven't practiced this week because of injuries.

With its linebacking corps in disarray, San Francisco promoted 33-year-old Eric Kendricks to the active roster and signed veteran Kyzir White to the practice squad. Kendricks has appeared in only three games this season, recording just six combined tackles in those games, while White hasn't played since Week 3, when he suited up for the Tennessee Titans.

The 49ers could be down to their fifth- and sixth-string linebackers against Philadelphia. If you're head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, you better be crafting an offensive game plan built around attacking the LBs.

In a 13-3 win in Week 18 over the 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks ran the ball 39 times for 180 yards. They consistently dared San Francisco linebackers to read running plays and make open-field tackles, which they failed to do repeatedly.

Seattle also sought one-on-one matchups with its running backs against San Francisco's linebackers, completing seven passes to Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet for 59 yards.

Thankfully for the Eagles, they have the personnel to deploy the same game plan.

Philadelphia must build its offensive strategy around the running ability of RB Saquon Barkley (1,140 yards rushing in 2025) and QB Jalen Hurts (421 yards) . Patullo should draw up multiple outside runs for Barkley and zone reads or designed runs for Hurts to expose San Francisco's questionable linebackers.

As for the passing game, the plan should be heavy four- and five-wide sets that force the Niners to put a linebacker on an island in the slot. If the Eagles can isolate Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith (1,008 receiving yards in 2025) and WR Jahan Dotson (262 yards) with linebackers in the slot, it should lead to easy pitches and catches for Hurts.

The Eagles don't have a glaring weakness, but injuries have created a massive one for the 49ers. If Philadelphia can expose San Francisco's linebackers, it will score enough to advance in the NFC playoffs.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

More must-reads: