Mark it on your calendars. Dec. 3 in Pennsylvania is going to be a popcorn-worthy time as the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game.
One day before the NFL releases its entire schedule for the 2023 season, the league has already leaked one of its biggest matchups.
The NFL announced via its Twitter account Wednesday evening that Philadelphia will host San Francisco in Week 13. The matchup will air at 4:25 PM ET on Fox.
Philadelphia defeated San Francisco by the score of 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game back in January. It’s a game that was defined by an early injury to then-rookie 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on their first possession of the game.
Purdy then had to return to action once veteran journeyman Josh Johnson also went down to injury. In fact, running back Christian McCaffrey took emergency snaps under center. It’s been a major narrative in the months since with several 49ers’ players pointing to these injuries as the primary reason they lost despite falling by 24 points.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated 2023 NFL power rankings
San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles rematch is going to be something
“We lost because we played with 10 people. I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome (if healthy).
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel on the NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles
Fellow 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk pretty much said the same thing earlier in the offseason, concluding that they were “hands-down” the best team in the NFL last season.
San Francisco entered that title matchup having won 12 consecutive games by an average of 15.5 points per outing.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they would go on to nearly pull off a win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts put up an historic performance in defeat.
Philadelphia and San Francisco are seen as the two favorites to come out of the NFC and represent the conference in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas next February.
The other big backdrop here is former Eagles Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave opting to sign with the 49ers earlier in free agency. Yeah, it’s going to be a blast in Philly come Dec. 3.