49ers-Eagles NFC Championship match has an old-school feel

Disgusting defenses. Strong rapid violations. Physical education in the trenches.

This 49ers-Eagles matchup in Sunday’s NFC Championship game has all the elements of old-school football.

But don’t lose sight of all the playmakers in the skill positions on both teams.

Philadelphia has running back Miles Sanders, wide receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Godert, as well as quarterback Jalen Herts, both an NFL AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year finalist.

San Francisco has running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and tight end George Kittle to take the pressure off rookie QB Brock Purdy, the latest draft pick.

The defense is ranked 1-2 in the NFL. The coaching staff includes some of the most brilliant minds in football.

Home field advantage is a clear advantage. Raging Philadelphia fans are programmed to make life miserable for rivals.

Both teams play for a ticket to the Super Bowl quite habitually.

The Eagles (15-3) are in the NFC title game for the seventh time in 22 seasons and are in contention for their third Super Bowl appearance in that span. They won it all after the 2017 season.

The Nines (15-4) make a record 18th appearance in this game, the second in a row and the third in four years. There are 7-10 of them in total.

When the 49ers have the ball

Purdy has led 7-0 since replacing injured Jimmy Garoppolo, who took over after Trey Lance was injured in week two.

He threw for 16 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 107.3 passer rating in the regular season, earning him a spot as a finalist for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Pardi has many helpers. McCaffrey had 746 rushing yards, 464 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns combined after the 49ers acquired him in a trade with the Carolinas.

Samuel had 864 combined receiving and rushing yards in 13 games, Aiyuk had 1,015 receiving yards, and Kittle caught 11 touchdowns.

Coach Kyle Shanahan is known for his creative offense and game plans.

The Eagles lead the NFL with 70 sacks and can apply pressure without the need for a blitz. Haason Reddick had 16 sacks. Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham and Josh Sweet each had 11 balls. Cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry are some of the best duos in the game, and the Eagles have the best pass defense in the NFL. But they are 16th against the run.

Shanahan knows his best option is to attack Philadelphia from the ground.

When the eagles have the ball

Philadelphia’s rise this season is due to Hurts developing into one of the best all-around players in the game. The addition of Brown’s wide receiver greatly improved the scoring of the game. The Eagles can beat teams in the air when Hurts throws to Brown, Smith and Gedert, or on the ground when Sanders, Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott. Brown and Smith had over 1,000 receiving yards, Sanders rushed for 1,268 yards, and Hurts also rushed for 760 yards and 13 points.

It all starts for Philadelphia behind a dominant offensive line that features all-pros Jason Kelsey and Layne Johnson.

Coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen put in place a system that allowed the Hurts to flourish, and at times the Eagles looked unstoppable. But the 49ers have the No. 1 defense with three All-Pros: winger Nick Boza, linebacker Fred Warner, and safety Talanoa Hoofang. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, a hot coaching candidate, will present Philadelphia with its toughest test yet.

Special teams

Niners kicker Robbie Gould is perfect for the playoffs. Not just this season, but throughout my career. He scored all 38 extra points and 29 field goals.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, who was part of the Super Bowl championship team five years ago, is 16th out of 18 in extra points and 12th out of 12 in field goals.

Niners player Mitch Wisnowski has averaged 39.7 points, while Eagles veteran Brett Kern has averaged 36.6 points in four games since joining the team.

Ray-Ray MacLeod is a solid Nine player. Scott and Britan Covey take over the Eagles’ money-back responsibilities.

coaching

Shanahan is 6-2 in the playoffs and is aiming for his second trip to the Super Bowl in four seasons. He was the offensive coordinator in Atlanta when the Falcons lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots 28-3 in Super Bowl 51.

Sirianni is 23-11 during his two seasons as head coach, including 1-1 in the playoffs. He never coached a conference title game as an assistant.

Intangible assets

Fans. Eagles fly fly. Opponents hate going to Link to meet noisy, obnoxious Philadelphia believers. This is a frenzied crowd that will pounce on their team if they fall behind early.