NFL playoffs live updates: Eagles lead, 21-7, at half with 49ers QB Brock Purdy sidelined

Here’s what to know

• The Eagles-49ers game kicks off at 3 p.m. Eastern time and will be broadcast on Fox. The Chiefs-Bengals matchup kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS.
• The Eagles are 15-1 this season when Hurts starts. The quarterback returned from a shoulder injury in Week 18 to stop Philadelphia’s two-game skid. Meanwhile, the 49ers are undefeated since Purdy took over for Jimmy Garoppolo (who took over for Trey Lance) in Week 13.
• Mahomes sprained his ankle during last weekend’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and after briefly exiting, he returned to the field to finish the game. The extent of his recovery could play a big factor in the outcome of Kansas City’s game against the Bengals, whose defense pressured Bills quarterback Josh Allen consistently in the divisional round.

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Reporter covering the Washington Commanders

Surprising decision to not stick with the run on that drive. San Francisco has to play its hurt starting QB, and with a two-score lead, Philadelphia just needs to run out the clock. But after a three-yard run, and most of the half remaining, Philly called two passes in a row. Both fell incomplete. The drive lasted just 56 seconds.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

After an Eagles punt following a quick three-and-out possession, the 49ers put starting quarterback Brock Purdy back on the field in the wake of an injury to backup Josh Johnson, who headed to the locker room. Purdy had been forced from the game in the first half with an elbow injury.

Sports reporter covering the NFL

Quarterback Josh Johnson is being evaluated for a possible concussion, the 49ers announced.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

With 49ers quarterback Josh Johnson knocked from the game after taking a hit in the pocket early in the third quarter, injured starter Brock Purdy came in for a handoff to Christian McCaffrey on a third-and-14 play. San Francisco then punted, giving the Eagles the ball at their 17-yard line.

Reporter covering the Washington Commanders

Philly’s crowd is helping the Eagles’ defense. Since Josh Johnson came in, the 49ers have taken three delay-of-game penalties, and the broadcast showed Johnson signaling to the sideline that he’s struggling to hear the play calls in his helmet radio.

The 49ers, down two scores against an elite pass defense, want to avoid obvious passing downs. But it’s proving difficult.

Reporter covering the Washington Commanders

Up 14, Philadelphia’s defensive line should be able to get more aggressive with its pass rushing. QB Josh Johnson, who fumbled at the end of the first half, must focus if he’s going to beat the Eagles’ pressure. RB Christian McCaffrey is cooking, but Johnson could benefit by getting the ball to TE George Kittle and versatile WR Deebo Samuel.

The truly wacky first half of the NFC championship game included a big-time challenge and a big-time non-challenge; a missed replay review and a missed broadcast wire (maybe); a backup quarterback and a backup set of chains. There was also a slew of penalties and injuries and turnovers.

Philadelphia leads San Francisco, 21-7, at Lincoln Financial Field because of an advantage in the trenches. The Eagles have protected pretty well against an elite pass rush, dominated in the run game and created pressure and turnovers. San Francisco has struggled to throw the ball since quarterback Brock Purdy left in the first quarter with an elbow injury, yielding to fourth-string QB Josh Johnson.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

Philadelphia took advantage of a turnover and increased its lead to 21-7 over San Francisco, after Boston Scott ran around the right end and into the end zone from 10 yards out. Needing to go just 30 yards to pay dirt, the Eagles accomplished that in only three plays, helped by a face-mask penalty on the 49ers’ Dre Greenlaw.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

The Eagles recovered a fumble by San Francisco quarterback Josh Johnson at the 49ers’ 30-yard line with 1 minute 11 seconds left in the second quarter.

Reporter covering the Washington Commanders

Eagles OC Shane Steichen put the hammer down on that 14-play, 67-yard TD drive. He finished by calling five straight runs, and running back Miles Sanders took the last one 13 yards to the end zone. Steichen loves passing to set up the run, and challenging defenses at the end of halves by running behind a huge, physical offensive line.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

Philadelphia retook the lead with less than two minutes to go in the first half, 14-7, after Miles Sanders ran left for a 13-yard touchdown. San Francisco had three penalties on the Eagles’ 14-play drive, including a call for defensive pass interference that negated an incomplete pass on a third-and-seven play. Sanders has both of his team’s touchdowns.

Reporter covering the Washington Commanders

San Francisco’s defense seems to be affecting Jalen Hurts. The Eagles QB is checking down more than normal and looks quicker to get out of the pocket. Hurts is still attempting shots downfield — DeVonta Smith dropped one earlier — but his pocket presence will be worth watching if he has to try to win this game from there.

Sports reporter covering national topics, as well as supporting coverage of D.C.-area teams

Going for it deep in their own end, the Eagles picked up a first down on a fourth-and-one play from their 34-yard line. Jalen Hurts picked up the necessary yardage on a sneak.