The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for the Super Bowl, but Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Deebo Samuel had a second. San Francisco did not face the Eagles in the playoffs this year, but they did get their “revenge” over Philadelphia during the regular season.
After the Eagles defeated the 49ers in the 2023 NFC Championship, there was discussion of a new rivalry. Not for Deebo. When asked about Philadelphia on February 5, he dismissed the NFC East team as a possible foe.
“I see rivalries as close games. We’re not going to talk about that any more. “That’s over,” Samuel told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On December 3, San Francisco trounced the Eagles 42-19, one of the season’s most emphatic victory. Philadelphia was in the midst of a free collapse, having lost five of their last six regular-season games.
And everyone who has followed Samuel’s career understands that this is right on track for him. He is not avoiding trash talk, but he is also nonchalant about it.
However, if Philadelphia wants to retaliate for Deebo’s words, they must make the playoffs and face the 49ers. San Francisco will not play the Eagles during the regular season.
Deebo Samuel Brings the Pain to Philadelphia
Samuel’s prior comments and his monstrous performance versus Philadelphia this season are part of the reason the Eagles are a topic of interest to him. Samuel and Eagles cornerback James Bradberry sparred, but Samuel certainly had the last laugh.
Samuel delivered arguably his best single-game effort of his career. The former South Carolina Gamecock caught four passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 22 yards and one score.
That was Samuel’s first “hat trick” in the NFL. It’s one thing to do it against some of the NFL’s greatest, but the fact that there was so much buzz surrounding the moment made it much more memorable.
Ex-49ers quarterback Alex Smith discusses defensive issues.
When it comes to the Super Bowl, the 49ers may need a shootout to win the Lombardi Trophy. At least that’s what former San Francisco and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith believes.
Smith told ESPN insider Adam Schefter that the 49ers defense’s lack of big plays will put the pressure on Samuel, QB Brock Purdy, and the offense.
“This 49ers defense doesn’t do much,” Smith explained. “They don’t present much volume. I think they’re going to be in for it. The only way I see the Niners winning is in a shootout, and the Chiefs defense just keeps getting better.”
The 49ers’ recent NFC Championship lends credence to Smith’s assessment. While they did force turnovers and help the comeback, San Francisco needed 34 points to defeat the Lions. Scoring a similar number against the Chiefs will be challenging.
