Will Rain Bring Pain to 49ers vs. Eagles in Philadelphia?

It seems like a slam-dunk pick to take the 49ers to win, until you look at the weather report, which calls for a 90% chance of rain.

I did six Behind Enemy Lines shows with Eagles content creators this week. The 49ers are favored by three on the road for good reason. Both teams have elite offenses:

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Though both boast elite offenses, their styles diverge significantly. The 49ers like to jump on their opponents early. When they win, it's almost always by a wide margin. Their offensive line is very adept at run blocking but has struggled in pass protection, especially without Trent Williams. The Eagles frequently start slow and then make halftime adjustments to dig themselves out of deep scoring deficit holes. They have arguably the best weapons of any team besides the 49ers and the best offensive line in football with Lane Johnson back at right tackle.

On special teams, the Eagles kicker Jake Elliott is starting to be mentioned with Ravens kicker Justin Tucker as the best in football. 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky is finally starting to receive the recognition that he deserves for long net punts due to their exceptionally high hang time and his helicopter coffin corner punts that routinely pin opponents punt returners inside the 10-yard line.

What really sets the 49ers apart is their defense. They are No. 1 overall, No. 1 against the run, and No. 1 in interceptions. The Eagles defense is not good, and their pass defense is putrid. The Eagles are literally running out of linebackers. The middle of the field should be a veritable playground for George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.

It seems like a slam-dunk pick to take the 49ers to win, until you look at the weather report, which calls for a 90% chance of rain. Brock Purdy struggled against the Browns in Cleveland in the rain. He also struggled in the first half of the Wildcard game against the Seahawks at Levi's in January of 2023. Then the sun came out, and he torched the Seahawks in the second half. Purdy appears to be a fair-weather quarterback. The Eagles have been playing in the rain recently and winning. If it's a close game, then that favors the Eagles. The 49ers haven't won a close game this season. If it comes down to the "Brotherly Shove," then that favors the Eagles. If it's dry, then I predict that the 49ers will pull ahead early and then won't relinquish the lead.

My prediction is 49ers 20 - Eagles 17 if it's dry. If the ball is wet, then I'm flipping that score.