Recapping the 2022-23 NFC Championship blowout in 21 pictures

The 2023-24 NFC Championship Game is another matchup between a top team and an underdog. The San Fransisco 49ers are back again this year and hopefully, they put on a better show against the Detroit Lions than they did against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Last year, the 49ers went head-to-head with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in a battle for the NFC Championship that wasn't very exciting to football fans. It was a complete blowout. 

Both teams fought a hard battle in an attempt to secure a spot in Super Bowl LVI but the Eagles were the ones to soar. Here are 21 pictures that tell the story of the 2023 NFC Championship based on an analysis of the game The Sporting News' David Suggs provided at the time. 

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The NFC Championship game came down to the two top seeds this year with the first-seed Eagles beating the New York Giants in a 38-7 blowout while the second-seed 49ers fought a tough battle with the Dallas Cowboys, winning the bout 19-12. 

The Eagles came "dressed to impress" according to ESPN, setting the tone for a game head coach Nick Sirianni hoped to control.

No amount of razzle-dazzle could offset San Francisco's defense. With talented players like Nick Boss, Fred Warner, and Arik Armstead, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was ready for whatever the Eagles could throw at him, or was he?

The 49ers kicked off 2023 NFC Championship game at 3:05 pm and Boston Scott made a pretty lackluster return at the 35-yard line.

The Eagles were looking like they were in trouble but an epic catch by Devonta Smith put Philadelphia at the seven-yard line.

Philadelphia put the first touchdown on the board with Miles Sanders working his way into the endzone from the seven-yard line.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had a questionable fumble early in the first quarter after Haason Reddick hit Purdy's hand.

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Philadelphia's defense found its way to the ball first and Purdy was later replaced by Josh Johnson after it was revealed San Francisco's starting QB injured his elbow.

Haason scored a big sack against replacement QB Josh Johnson and play went back and forth with San Francisco ending the first quarter with possession. The Eagles led 7-0.

After a shaky start to the second quarter for Josh Johnson, Christian McCaffrey was able to run for a 23-yard touchdown, putting the game at a 7-7 tie. But things would quickly fall apart for the 49ers from there...

Jimmy Ward nearly caught an interception on the third down but was fouled out for interference.

The Eagles answered McCaffrey's touchdown 20 minutes later with a run from Miles Sanders to retake the lead for Philadelphia.

Johnson fumbled off a snap in the second quarter and it was picked up by Reddick, giving the Eagles a chance to widen their lead before halftime—an opportunity that they quickly capitalized on. 

Boston Scott punched through San Francisco's line and into the endzone, pushing Phildelphia's lead to 21-7. Ray-Ray-McCloud gave the 49ers a big return on the kickoff but the second quarter saw no answer from the 49ers.

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The third quarter opened with San Francisco starting Johnson, Purdy was predicted to be out for the rest of the game. But after a nasty slam headfirst into the ground, Johnson was pulled and Purdy returned to the game.

Things went from bad to worse for the 49ers after Jalen Hurts snuck into the endzone for Phildelphia's fourth touchdown of the game, putting the score at 28-7 at the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles made a big play in the fourth quarter, stopping Deebo Samuel on the fourth down and taking possession, hoping to get their fifth touchdown of the night.

Jake Elliot scored a late third-quarter field goal to extend Philadelphia's lead to 31-7.

Tensions reached their boiling point late into the game, and a minor fight broke out after Trent Williams slammed K'von Wallace into Lincoln Financial Field's turf.

The 49ers gave up another turnover and David Suggs of Sporting News said, "This game is over, for all intents and purposes."

The fourth quarter ended with the Eagles advancing to Super Bowl LVI in another post-season blowout. The final score was Philadelphia 31 - San Francisco 7.

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