Dave Zangaro Previews Eagles vs 49ers
The Eagles are set to face off with the 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. And to preview that game, The Best Show Ever talked to Dave Zangaro from NBC Sports Philly. How does the Eagles O Line matchup vs the 49ers’ defensive front? Can they run on this elite run-stopping team? How healthy are the Eagles heading into Sunday? Dave Zangaro discussed that and more. Here is some of what he had to say.
On the Eagles Being Fully Healthy
“All 22 are going to play in this game. They have everyone including Lane Johnson and Avonte Maddox. Which is crazy. The only significant injuries they have had this year that are season-enders are Derek Barnett early in the season. Since then it has been pretty light. It is remarkable. They are going to enter the NFC Championship game with all of their opening-day starters. And getting Avonte Maddox back is nice. Especially for a team that targets the middle of the field as much as the 49ers do.”
On The Eagles O-Line vs the 49ers Defensive Front
“They have an advantage there. It is the way they built this team. And the way they have tried to build this team for the last two decades. You build in the trenches. You feel good about this Offensive line vs pretty much any unit in the NFL. They have 3 pro bowlers and two alternates. It doesn’t get much better than the 5 that they have out there starting. Lane Johnson is dealing with something, but you couldn’t really tell last week. He played at a really high level.
Nick Bosa is great. But he is one player on that line. They are going to try and move him around and test Lane Johnson early to see if that is the matchup they want. Maybe flip him to the other side on Mailata. And look there are probably going to be times when he wins the pass rush. He is the defensive player of the year probably. So it is going to happen. But throughout the course of the game, I think they have that advantage. They can hold up in pass protection. I even think they have a chance to run on them. The 49ers are a really good run defense. But I will take my chances with this O Line vs any unit in the league, and that includes the 49ers.”
Listen to the full conversation with Dave Zangaro below…
