“A different type of animal” – Ex-Eagles LB warns Jalen Hurts and co against complacency vs 49ers (EXCLUSIVE)
In two days, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field in the NFC Championship.
#49ers at #Eagles in the NFC Title game.
The Eagles are currently two-and-a-half point favorites, with many expecting them to advance to the Super Bowl.
They enjoyed themselves a first-round bye and then a dominant 38-7 divisional-round victory over the New York Giants.
The 49ers however, had a 41-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round, followed by a close 19-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.
Former Eagles linebacker Ike Reese joined Sportskeeda's podcast, The Ballfather, and spoke in an exclusive interview about his former team's (Eagles) matchup this Sunday.
He warned Jalen Hurts and Philly about the different animal they are facing, in the 49ers.
Reese said:
"It's a different type of animal we're playing this week. So here's the funny thing right? Ah, I know, I can't dial back the excitement on the fans and how they feel right now. I would much rather have them confident, than paranoid, I get it. You know, we still help you.
"Sometimes we can make things bigger than what they are from a worrisome standpoint. But I like where I feel like the players are and the coaches are in the message coming from the locker room. They seem to know that we got a different task in front of us. And we need to be locked in."
Reese added that the 49ers have an advantage of not having as much pressure to win vs. the Eagles because nobody expects them to win and because Philly may be overconfident following their dominant victory over the Giants.
He added:
"Part of me as a former player, I'm like, where San Francisco is in a great position, because nobody really expects them to win Sunday. They can use the whole underdog role. And we're coming off a 38 to seven win. So we almost have to fight back from being overconfident."
Nick Sirianni and the Eagles aren't taking Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers lightly
The Eagles not only have to worry about the 49ers' defense, but their offense too. Ever since rookie quarterback Brock Purdy took over as the starting quarterback in Week 13's game vs. the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers have been on a tear.
They've scored 30+ plus games in all but two this season and have been riding a 12-game win streak.
Philly and head coach Nick Sirianni know the challenges ahead of them in Purdy and the Niners' explosive offense. He labeled Purdy a winner.
Sirianni said:
"He’s a winner... a quarterback that can lead the way and find the right place to go with the football consistently, who’s just a playmaker."
The two teams will face off at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, followed up by the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at 6:30 PM ET. Winners advance to the Super Bowl.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Ike Reese, The Ballfather podcast, Nick Sirianni, sfgate.com, and H/T Sportskeeda.