Birds By Numbers: 3 key stats from Eagles loss to 49ers

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The Eagles entered Week 13 with a chance to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the NFC, but now head into their date with the Cowboys with a lot of question marks.

The loss to San Francisco was ugly and embarrassing but we'll try to make sense of it with five important stats before Sunday night's game in Dallas.

1.5: The defense will get much of the criticism this week, but the Eagles ran the ball on first down eight times and averaged just 1.5 yards per carry.

First down has been a struggle for this team all year, they're averaging just 4.6 yards per play on first down, which is the eighth-lowest mark in the NFL ahead of just the Cardinals, Raiders, Commanders, Vikings, Giants Browns and Panthers.

The good news is the Eagles have been really good on third down this season, converting over 47 percent of their opportunities, but their inability to move the ball against San Francisco on early downs left them in too many third and long situations.

11: It's clear Kyle Shanahan wanted to attack the weak point of the Eagles defense, targeting Nicholas Morrow and Eli Ricks 11 times on Sunday.

Morrow allowed 175 yards in coverage, which is the fourth-most in the NFL this season and the most allowed by a linebacker since Week 8 of 2021.

In total, the duo allowed nine catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns. With Avonte Maddox, Nakobe Dean and Zach Cunningham all injured, the middle of the Eagles defense remains incredibly vulnerable.

2: The Eagles pressured Brock Purdy just twice on their 10 blitzes and the 49ers quarterback torched them when Sean Desai rushed at least five defenders.

Against the Eagles blitz, Purdy went 10-10 for 213 yards and three touchdowns.

The Eagles lead the NFL in quarterback pressures despite blitzing at the ninth-lowest rate and right now their secondary can't hold up if the pass rush doesn't get instant pressure.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff / Stringer