THE USUALLY potent San Francisco offence managed only two touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles on a wet and windy afternoon, but that was enough to earn the 49ers a rematch with the Green Bay Packers on the frozen wastes of Lambeau Field.
The Packers knocked the 49ers out of contention last year and look set to do the same on Saturday as they are virtually unbeatable at home. That is why they are tipped to go to New Orleans where they will probably face the Denver Broncos. But first there is the matter of the 49ers.
On a day more fit for sou'westers than football jerseys, the 49ers and the Eagles were evenly matched. The defences dominated and scoring opportunities were as scarce as rays of sunshine. The big difference was that the 49ers seized their chances while the Eagles squandered theirs. The Eagles advanced into the 49ers' red zone, or 20 yard area, three times, but came away empty handed. Twice, Ty Detmer, the Eagles quarterback, threw an interception at the goal line, and the third time, the Eagles missed a field goal attempt.
Steve Young at quarterback was outstanding for the 49ers, scrambling, slipping and sliding all afternoon despite bruised ribs. Young was hurt when he banged his way past defenders like a true running back for a nine yard, touch down in the second quarter. Young grimaced in pain whenever he was hit and some of his throws, revealed the extent of his discomfort. But he stayed in and combined with Jerry Rice on a couple of scintillating plays that included a three yard scoring pass in the third quarter. Rice had been quiet for most of the game until those two masterful plays. The first featured a remarkable one handed catch as he sprinted across the middle of the field for a 36 yard gain. That set up the simple looking touch down.
It was the first time the Eagles had failed to score since losing to the Washington Redskins in 1991. "This was not a good game for Ty," said Ray Rhodes, the Eagles coach, "and I think everyone knows that. The turnovers in the red area, you can't do that. You can't leave that area without any points." Detmer was replaced by Mark Rypien in the third quarter after injuring a hamstring while getting sacked. It was a bitter homecoming for Ricky Walters, formerly a running back for the 49ers.
The play off picture is now complete. In the National Football Conference, the 49ers play the Packers, while the Carolina Panthers host the defending Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys. In the American Football Conference, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the New England Patriots at Foxboro Stadium while the Denver Broncos will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
