www.cbssports.com
Bold predictions for 2023 NFL conference title games: Eagles torch No. 1 'D;' Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase go off
Three bold predications for each of the NFL conference championship games
Sports
We're now into the NFL final four, and by the end of this weekend we'll know what the Super Bowl LVII matchup in Arizona will be.
As usual, we expect some crazy stuff to happen when these conference championship games kick off. So, here we are once again with our bold predictions: three for both the NFC and AFC title games.
Brock Purdy has done the miraculous: gone from the last pick of the 2022 and a third-string quarterback to 7-0 as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback with a 116.0 passer rating in that span since Week 14, the highest in the NFL and the best passer rating by a 49ers player in a seven-game span since Hall of Famer Steve Young in 1996-97. It's remarkable. One of his most impressive traits is his ball security with 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, none in the playoffs.
However, Purdy's perfect run will come crashing to a halt with him going down in flames on Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, the team that has the most sacks in football this season, 75, including the playoffs (the third-most in a single season in NFL history including the postseason) and the second-highest pressure rate in the NFL (39%). The rookie had performed well under pressure in his first six starts, registering a 121.2 passer rating when under pressure.
However, when facing Defensive Player of the Year finalist Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys front, Purdy wilted as he completed only three of his 11 passes when under pressure for a 39.6 passer rating. The Eagles pass rush should be even more a struggle for the 49ers offensive line to contain since it's not centered around predominantly one player. Philadelphia has four players with double-digit sacks this season -- linebacker Haason Reddick (16.0), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (11.0), defensive end Josh Sweat (11.0), and defensive end Brandon Graham (11.0) -- the most in NFL history.