What we're watching
• A big day of NFL playoff action: After two thrilling games last night, the NFL playoffs take center stage on Sunday with three wild card matchups.
• The Eagles take the lead and Niners lose a star: The 49ers are dealing with the loss of star right end George Kittle, who has an Achilles injury, and the Eagles are out in front. It’s 13-10 in the early third quarter.
• Chargers-Patriots: The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs and looking to tap into some old feelings with new players. Their first test is Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers, looking to go deeper in the postseason in their coach’s second season at the helm.
• Buffalo Bills escape Jacksonville: It was back-and-forth in Duval – with a minute to go, the Bills took the lead, the fourth lead change of the fourth quarter. An interception of Trevor Lawrence by the Bills’ secondary ends the game and the Bills win, 27-24.
• Follow along: CNN Sports will be here all day with live updates and analysis from the games.
Saquon Barkley drops third down catch as 49ers force punt
It’s not the start to the second half that the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense would have wanted.
Saquon Barkley was involved on every play but after a big gain on first down, he couldn’t carry his team over the line to gain.
Barkley had the chance to secure the first down but dropped Jalen Hurts’ pass when wide open leading to an Eagles punt.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
Relatively demure first half in Philly, unless you're a Niners fan
It took the 49ers just over three minutes to suck the air out of the stadium. And even less to quiet the crowd. The Eagles’ vaunted defense surrendered 61 yards on the second play of the game, and a touchdown followed not long after.
With the Eagles scoring two touchdowns since, and dominating the time of possession, there’s been reason for the crowd to feel encouraged and, indeed, they’ve responded accordingly.
But overall the Philly fans are more subdued – at least more subdued than I anticipated judging from the vibe amongst the tailgates earlier and my experience at the famed “four hours of hell” that is the Phillies’ ballpark during playoff games.
Perhaps the fans know that this is not the same squad that stormed to the Super Bowl last season.
Individual sections, of course, are still rowdily booing their resident Niners fans.
After a timid opening half, the second half is a go!
Us football fans have been spoiled with the first three games of the NFL playoffs.
With the way the first two drives of the 49ers-Eagles game went, there was definitely a thought we would go 4-for-4 on exciting games.
The rest of the first half did not quite reach that level and that’s OK! But let’s not make a habit of it.
Hurts and Barkley carried the Eagles to a three-point lead over the Niners, who are looking to overcome an unfortunate Achilles injury suffered by star tight end George Kittle.
Maybe the second half will pick up some speed like last night’s Bears-Packers showdown?
The third quarter is officially underway at the Linc.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
Brutal fumble plagues the 49ers' last drive of the half
After the 49ers drove to near midfield with eight seconds left, Brock Purdy needed to find a way to get his offense a few more yards to set up a potential game-tying field goal before heading into halftime.
Purdy scrambled, picking up seven yards and appeared to get out of bounds before fumbling the ball.
But a quick officials review ruled he fumbled it in bounds and half is now over.
An awful sequence for the Niners.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
Niners' George Kittle suffers Achilles injury
Niners tight end George Kittle is out for the remainder of the game with a right Achilles injury, it was announced in the pressbox.
He was carted off after injuring it on a catch earlier in the quarter.
It’s a significant loss of one of the 49ers’ best players.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
49ers hold firm as Eagles look to go deep
A.J. Brown might not have got all the looks he was after this season, but quarterback Jalen Hurts is trying to find his main receiver as often as possible in this first half.
But the wideout couldn’t connect with two deep passes from his quarterback and the 49ers force the punt.
Brown will be disappointed that he couldn’t lock on to at least one of the deep looks and has intense words with head coach Nick Sirianni as he exits the field.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
49ers tack on field goal to cut into lead
After the George Kittle injury, the 49ers could’ve just rolled over but wide receiver Jauan Jennings reeled in a 45-yard reception to put the team in good position.
Despite the drive stalling, kicker Eddy Piñeiro kicked in a 36-yard field goal to cut into the deficit.
Eagles will now look to respond with halftime approaching.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 10
Scary moment for Kittle and 49ers as star tight end carted off the field
An unfortunate situation is unfolding for the 49ers.
Star tight end George Kittle appeared to suffer a non-contact injury to his lower leg and is being carted off the field.
Kittle was seen waving and saluting teammates and fans while in bed of the cart.
A few Eagles players took a knee near where the play ended as the injury cart came out almost right away. Kittle was sitting up as he departed the field to a smattering of applause.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 7
Winds pick up in Philly
The broadcast caught the blue tent on the sideline being blown nearly overly and that is reflective of the atmosphere within the stadium.
No, not unstable (although let’s see how the Birds’ offense fares as we get deeper into the game) but very, very windy.
After the national anthem, the field-size flag was temporarily turned into an unintentional balloon as gusts of winds filled a portion of it with air pockets that briefly prevented handlers from rolling it back up. By the second quarter, the uprights were visibly swaying and bits of debris floated down from the seats onto the field during nearly every play.
The wind has likely already factored into the score with Eagles’ veteran kicker Jake Elliott missing the extra point after their first touchdown.
Admittedly, the former Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ is having a down season.
Dallas Goedert again! The Eagles take the lead
It’s safe to say the Eagles’ offense has not been at its best this season. But early on in this wild card matchup, Philadelphia seems to be piecing something together.
In the moments that matter, the Eagles are constantly turning to their heavy hitters with Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith all getting in on the action.
And alongside the star-studded offense, it looks like Philadelphia still has maybe its most valuable weapon – the Tush Push.
All were utilized on this drive as the Eagles marched down the field to take the lead midway through the second quarter.
Again staying on the field on fourth down, Jalen Hurts turned to the Eagles’ redzone weapon in Dallas Goedert for the touchdown.
The officials scared Eagles fans with a flag – which was quickly picked up – before Jake Elliott made the extra point.
Score: Eagles 13, 49ers 7
The game slows after torrid start as the first quarter ends
Both the 49ers and Eagles came out the gates strong, scoring on their respective opening offensive drives.
But since, both teams have been trading punts.
Another three-and-out gives the Eagles the ball back, looking to finally take the lead as the first quarter comes to a close.
Score: 49ers 7, Eagles 6
49ers force turnover on downs!
As with most Eagles drives, Saquon Barkley was given the ball to start the journey down the field.
San Francisco did well to stuff the running back as Barkley only gained three yards on the opening two plays of the drive.
Jalen Hurts then looked to throw and made completions to rookie Darius Cooper and A.J. Brown before returning to Barkley.
The 49ers stayed solid and stopped Barkley, and the Eagles opted to stay on the field on fourth-down.
But Hurts couldn’t find the valuable completion thanks to 49ers corner Upton Stout.
San Francisco ball.
Score: 49ers 7, Eagles 6
Eagles defense comes up big
Philadelphia fans can exhale a bit after that defensive drive.
The first go-around wasn’t pretty but the Eagles forced a three-and-out and now get the ball back.
49ers still hold a slight lead.
Score: 49ers 7, Eagles 6
Philadelphia Eagles answer straight back with explosive drive
Now that’s what you call a quick response.
With the crowd silenced after San Francisco’s touchdown on the opening drive, Jalen Hurts and co. stepped on the field knowing they needed to bounce back – and fast.
The drive started with a short gain from Saquon Barkley, which was quickly followed by an explosive 29-yard run from the Eagles’ star running back.
The Eagles went back to Barkley for a third play in a row before Hurts got the passing game going, finding A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert on consecutive plays.
Showing off their entire offensive arsenal, Philadelphia then got DeVonta Smith involved before Barkley made it first and goal.
And as they have all season long, the Eagles turned to their tight end Dallas Goedert to make things happen.
Goedert rushed for the score on a trick play as the Eagles got back in the game.
Jake Elliott, however, did miss the extra point attempt. Could this be costly?
Score: 49ers 7, Eagles 6
Have a start 49ers! It's 7-0 SF after the first drive
Holy moly! What a start for the 49ers that might cool off this red-hot Philly crowd.
Brock Purdy finds wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who takes it 58 yards to put San Francisco in the redzone.
Purdy then finds Robinson again for a 2-yard score to give the Niners an early lead.
Score: 49ers 7, Eagles 0
A blustery day to begin a title defense in South Philly
It was a predictably packed tailgating scene in South Philly ahead of the defending champion Eagles’ first home postseason game of the year.
I arrived more than three hours before kickoff and the lots around the Linc were already densely populated block parties of Bird pride.
A mild midday has since given way to a blustery afternoon, with the temperature dropping precipitously as the sun dips behind the bleacher seats.
The focus pregame was on the absence of Lane Johnson, who has engaged in limited participation in practices this week but was listed as inactive for the game. Reporters on the field said that they didn’t see him during warm ups.
The crowd is, of course, a sea of green. But there’s a definite smattering of red throughout the stadium.
We are underway in Philly!
Despite the apparent issues with the American flag pregame on the field, the 49ers and Eagles are ready to go in this wild card round matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.
HERE WE GO!
Score: 49ers 0, Eagles 0
Key question: Can the Eagles exploit a bad defense to get their offense back on track?
The reigning champions have looked lackluster this season, even as the defense has solidified into one of the best in the sport. The Eagles’ inconsistency is all about their offense, which retains the talent that won the Super Bowl last year, but has frustrated fans for most of the season.
This matchup, then, could be favorable for the Birds. The 49ers’ 12-5 record is a testament to the successful offensive schemes of coach Kyle Shanahan and the incredible rise of a one-time Mr. Irrelevant in Brock Purdy. Because the defense is, frankly, not playoff caliber — especially in the injury absence of All-Pro defenders Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
That could open up a lane for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to erase the ugliness of the regular season with a performance worthy of the reigning Super Bowl MVP. He’s got a legacy of rising to the moment in big games and a perfect 5-0 playoff record at home to defend.
If the Niners do topple the champs, they could get Warner back later in the month, bolstering their hopes of playing a Super Bowl at home. But they’ll have to do it while playing hurt in Philly.
Eagles down key part of offense
The Philadelphia Eagles will be missing a huge part of their offense with offensive tackle Lane Johnson out with a foot injury.
How will his absence affect Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley today?
Bills escape Jacksonville with the win in another playoff thriller
The Bills escape Jacksonville with a victory after scoring the go-ahead touchdown with a minute to go as reigning MVP Josh Allen put the team on his back and carried Buffalo to victory.
The Bills and Jaguars went back and forth down the stretch, trading the lead four times in the final 15 minutes. The Jags had the ball with a minute to go and looked set to end this game with one more last-ditch effort, but another Trevor Lawrence interception by the Buffalo defense ended things abruptly.
Josh Allen ended the game with another excellent game, going 28-of-35 for 273 yards, a passing touchdown, two rushing touchdowns and another 33 yards on the ground.
The Bills will await the results of the rest of the games today and tomorrow to find out who they play next.
Final score: Bills 27, Jaguars 24
