Deebo Samuel claims only reason why 49ers were beaten by Eagles in NFC Game

• NFL

Deebo Samuel thinks the San Francisco 49ers were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game only because "they played with 10 people." During the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game between the 49ers and Eagles in Philadelphia, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy tore the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow of his throwing arm.

During the regular season, the 49ers lost Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries. Josh Johnson, a 36-year-old NFL veteran, replaced Purdy but it was evident from the start that he would not be able to lead the 49ers offense.

In the end, the 49ers could only run the ball as the Eagles took the full advantage and claimed a 31-7 win. “We lost because we played with 10 people. I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome (if healthy)," Samuel told Complex.

Samuel: Would have been different if we were healthy

Had Purdy stayed healthy, Samuel is certain they would have beaten the Eagles and progressed into the Super Bowl. "100 percent. I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome," Samuel added.

The Eagles later lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in a thriller Super Bowl. Going into the 2023 season, some consider the Eagles "a lock to return to the Super Bowl." Samuel was asked whether he has heard that chatter. "See, I ain’t know nothing about that until you just said something.

I barely watched the draft to be honest with you. I seen a couple of guys that I knew get drafted and at the end, I was just off of it. How we move as a team, we don’t even pay attention to the noise. It’s just crazy how you just said this and I ain’t heard nothing about it.

We just a team that’s focused on the things we have and the people we have in our building. We’re not worried about the outside noise," Samuel said.