San Francisco, CA – In a stunning upset that has the NFL world buzzing, the San Francisco 49ers have knocked out the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles with a gritty 23-19 victory on the road in the NFC wild-card round. The No. 6 seeded 49ers, proving they’re far more formidable than their seeding suggests, kept their playoff hopes alive while sending the Eagles packing. But the real headline-grabber came postgame, when Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni delivered a classy four-word message to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan during their handshake: “Go win it all.”
"Go win it all."
Nick Sirianni to Kyle Shanahan postgame 🤝
(📺 FOX) pic.twitter.com/rb7isBUPUt
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 12, 2026
The moment, captured on camera and quickly going viral, showcased a rare display of sportsmanship amid the high-stakes intensity of playoff football. Sirianni’s words appeared to resonate with fans, many of whom took to social media to praise the Eagles coach for handling the loss with grace—especially in contrast to other recent coaching exchanges, like the heated one between Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur after Saturday’s game.
“At least there is some class amongst the NFC coaches,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “Gained a little respect just now for Nick. Interesting day.” Reactions poured in, with users calling it a “class act” and even suggesting, “Someone should show this to that genius Bears coach.” The sentiment was clear: in a league often defined by rivalries and trash talk, Sirianni’s encouragement stood out as a moment of mutual respect.
A Shorthanded Triumph for the 49ers
This victory was no small feat for Shanahan’s squad, who entered the game severely undermanned. Star edge-rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner are both sidelined with season-ending injuries, while the team’s top tacklers, Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune, were also absent. Adding to the adversity, star tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles early in the first half, ruling him out for the remainder of the playoffs. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick, also missed the contest.
Despite the absences, the 49ers’ defense rose to the occasion, stifling Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown. Hurts managed just 168 passing yards and one touchdown, while Brown was held to a mere three catches on seven targets for 25 yards—a lockdown performance that highlighted San Francisco’s resilience.
This marks the second postseason clash between these teams since 2022, when the Eagles dominated the NFC Championship Game 31-7 after then-rookie quarterback Brock Purdy suffered an early elbow injury that limited him severely. Sunday’s result flipped the script, with Purdy and the 49ers emerging victorious in enemy territory.
The San Francisco 49ers celebrate beating the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card round
With the win, the 49ers advance as the lowest-seeded team remaining in the NFC, following the No. 7 Green Bay Packers’ elimination by the No. 2 Chicago Bears on Saturday. Next up is a divisional showdown against the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks, who hold the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The matchup carries extra intrigue, as the two teams split their regular-season series. San Francisco edged out a 17-13 win in Week 1, but Seattle got revenge in the finale two weeks ago with a 13-3 victory that clinched the division and the No. 1 spot. The Seahawks, coming off a first-round bye, are well-rested and opened as 6.5-point favorites.
History adds another layer: The 49ers are 0-1 in playoff games at Seattle’s Lumen Field, losing the 2014 NFC Championship there. However, they did beat the Seahawks in the 2023 wild-card round during Purdy’s rookie year.
As the most banged-up team in the field, the 49ers face an uphill battle. But if Sunday’s performance is any indication, Shanahan’s group has the heart and grit to defy the odds. Will they heed Sirianni’s advice and “go win it all”? The NFC Divisional Round will provide the next chapter in this thrilling playoff story.
