49ers' no-name defense fights to keep the season alive

The San Francisco 49ers won a wild-card game in Philadelphia, 23-19, as a defense missing several starters produced timely plays; the team now turns quickly to a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

The 49ers secured a 23-19 wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, and several defensive reserves played major roles in the win. San Francisco has been operating without key defenders for months and lost additional players during the game, yet the defense made enough plays to preserve the lead. Veterans and recent additions filled key roles, and coaches adjusted coverages and gap responsibilities in the second half. The team now prepares for a short-week game against the Seattle Seahawks. Key details: - San Francisco beat Philadelphia 23-19 in a wild-card playoff game. - The defense has been missing stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for months; Ji'Ayir Brown left the game with a hamstring injury and George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles. - Eric Kendricks and Garrett Wallow, recently added, combined for 22 tackles and made several significant plays. - Keion White made a game-saving tackle on Jalen Hurts after being acquired in October, and rookie Marques Sigle made key contributions late in the game. - The 49ers adjusted to limit Saquon Barkley to 40 yards in the second half and used quarters coverage and tighter gap discipline to slow the run. Summary: The win highlighted the 49ers' depth and in-game adjustments, with backups and recent additions stepping into larger roles. The team now faces the Seattle Seahawks on a short week as roster availability and practice-window decisions remain in flux.