Did the Eagles Game Resume? What Really Happened with the NFC Wild Card

Did the Eagles Game Resume? What Really Happened with the NFC Wild Card

So, did the Eagles game resume? Honestly, if you were watching the Wild Card matchup this past Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, you saw a game that didn't just resume—it basically spiraled. It was a weird, cold, and eventually heartbreaking afternoon for Philadelphia. The short answer is yes, the game was completed, but the way it finished has the entire city of Philadelphia questioning what exactly happened to their defending Super Bowl champs.

The Birds fell to the San Francisco 49ers 23-19. It wasn't a blowout. It wasn't a blowout at all. But for a team that walked into the postseason with so much momentum, the ending felt like a slow-motion car crash.

Why Everyone Is Asking: Did the Eagles Game Resume?

People keep asking this because the rhythm of the game was so disjointed. It felt like two different matches. In the first half, the Eagles looked like they were in total control. They went into the locker room at halftime leading 13-10. Jalen Hurts was finding Dallas Goedert—who literally made history as the first tight end to rush for a postseason touchdown—and the defense was swarming Brock Purdy.

Then the second half happened.

If you’re looking for a specific weather delay like the one we saw during the season opener against Dallas back in September—where lightning actually sent everyone to the locker rooms for over an hour—that didn't happen here. This was just a classic playoff grind. However, the Eagles' offense certainly acted like they were still in a delay. They managed a pathetic 36 yards in the third quarter. Total. On 16 plays.

👉 See also: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes

It was lethargic. It was painful to watch.

The Turning Point That Changed Everything

While the game didn't "stop" for rain or lightning, the momentum certainly did. The defining moment came at the start of the fourth quarter. The 49ers pulled a page right out of Philly’s own playbook. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings took a pitch, rolled right, and tossed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey.

That trick play gave the Niners a 17-16 lead and sucked the air right out of the Linc.

Even though Quinyon Mitchell—who has been a literal godsend as a rookie—picked off Purdy twice, the Eagles couldn't do anything with the turnovers. They settled for field goals when they needed six. You can't beat a team like San Francisco by kicking three-pointers while they're throwing touchdowns with their wide receivers.

✨ Don't miss: Lawrence County High School Football: Why Friday Nights in Louisa Still Hit Different

Sideline Drama and the Final Drive

There was also that blowup on the sideline. If you missed it, A.J. Brown and Nick Sirianni had to be separated by "Big Dom" DiSandro. Brown was visibly frustrated after a stalled drive, ripping off his helmet and letting the coaching staff have it. It’s that kind of tension that makes people wonder if the team had mentally checked out before the clock even hit zero.

When the game "resumed" its final intensity in the closing minutes, the Eagles had one last chance. With 43 seconds left, Hurts dropped back on 4th-and-11. He looked for a miracle. He got an incomplete pass instead.

  • Final Score: 49ers 23, Eagles 19
  • The Fallout: Philadelphia is eliminated.
  • Injuries to Note: The 49ers lost George Kittle to a suspected Achilles injury, which is huge for their next round against Seattle.

What’s Next for the Birds?

The season is over. No repeat. No parade.

The questions now aren't about weather delays or game resumptions, but about the future of this coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is under immense fire right now for that second-half collapse. How do you have Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown and only put up 114 yards of offense in the entire second half of a playoff game?

🔗 Read more: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong

If you're looking for a silver lining, it’s Quinyon Mitchell. He played like an All-Pro. But individual brilliance doesn't win playoff games when the collective unit stalls out.

For those planning their weekend, the 49ers are moving on to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks. The Eagles are heading to the offseason earlier than anyone expected.

If you want to dive deeper into the stats, Saquon Barkley finished with 131 scrimmage yards, which honestly makes the loss feel even worse—the run game was working, but the passing game just couldn't find the end zone when it mattered most. Watch for the end-of-season press conferences from Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni; they're scheduled for later today, January 15, and they are bound to be spicy.

Keep an eye on the injury report for Lane Johnson as well. His absence in this game was a glaring hole on the right side of the line, and many believe that if he had been healthy enough to play, we’d be talking about a very different result today.

Basically, the game resumed, the Eagles didn't, and now the long wait for next September begins.

Next Steps for Fans:

  1. Watch the Sirianni/Roseman press conference today for clarity on coaching changes.
  2. Monitor the NFL Divisional Round schedule to see if the 49ers can survive without Kittle.
  3. Keep an eye on A.J. Brown’s social media—he usually has something to say after a sideline incident like that.