The 49ers (4-4) travel to Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, for a 1:00 PM ET kickoff against the Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) on Sun November 3, 1985.
Joe Montana continues. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler share the backfield. The Eagles start Ron Jaworski at quarterback with Wilbert Montgomery at running back.
The Eagles are 5-3 and in the NFC wild card race. Both teams need a win for playoff position.[1][2][3]
The Eagles under Marion Campbell are the NFC's most physical team outside Chicago. Jaworski and Montgomery are the familiar combination. The 49ers come in at 4-4 after winning two of the last three.
Montana has thrown three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Rams game. The momentum needs to carry into a tough road environment. Veterans Stadium in November is cold and crowd noise is a factor for the 49ers' timing routes.
Week nine is the early November road game. The 49ers (4-4) and Eagles (5-3) are both in the NFC wild card picture. The Bears (9-0) are the conference's undefeated team. The Rams (6-3) lead the NFC West. The Dolphins (7-2) lead the AFC East. The 49ers' road game at Veterans Stadium is the week's key wild card matchup between two NFC wild card contenders.
Through eight games the 49ers are 4-4 with a plus 33 differential. The Eagles are 5-3 with a plus 32. Jaworski is 124 of 215, 1,540 yards, 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions. Montgomery has 112 carries for 521 yards. Montana is 164 of 273, 1,864 yards, 13 TDs, six INTs on the year. Craig has 156 carries for 681 yards through eight games.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 4-4 | L2 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3-5 | W1 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-5 | L1 |
| Houston Oilers | 3-5 | W2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 6-2 | W1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 5-3 | L1 |
| New England Patriots | 5-3 | W3 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3-5 | W1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1-7 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 6-2 | W4 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 6-2 | W5 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 4-4 | L2 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3-5 | L4 |
| San Diego Chargers | 3-5 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7-1 | L1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 4-4 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3-5 | L3 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1-7 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 8-0 | W8 |
| Detroit Lions | 5-3 | W2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 4-4 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3-5 | L2 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0-8 | L8 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 6-2 | W1 |
| New York Giants | 5-3 | W2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4-4 | W3 |
| Washington Redskins | 4-4 | W1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 3-5 | L4 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Wendell Tyler 2 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 0-7 |
| Eagles | Paul McFadden 36 yard field goal | 3-7 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Jerry Rice 14 yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Wendell Tyler 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-21 |
| Eagles | Mike Quick 82 yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Paul McFadden kick) | 10-21 |
| Eagles | Paul McFadden 44 yard field goal | 13-21 |
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 36 yard field goal | 13-24 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| No scoring this quarter. | ||
Joe Montana threw one touchdown pass and Roger Craig rushed for two touchdowns as the 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-13 at Veterans Stadium. Montana finished 20 of 32 for 255 yards with one interception. Craig rushed 18 times for 97 yards. The defense held Jaworski to 181 yards and intercepted him twice. The 49ers improved to 5-4.[1][2][3]
The 49ers won 24-13 in Philadelphia with Craig's two rushing touchdowns providing the offense's primary scoring and Montana managing 255 yards with one interception. The defense's two interceptions of Jaworski kept the Eagles from gaining momentum.
Craig ran 18 times for 97 yards and scored on short runs in the second and third quarters. Montana's touchdown pass came in the first quarter on a crossing route. The 49ers' balanced offense — 137 rushing yards, 255 passing yards — was the game's decisive dimension.
Jaworski went 17 of 35 for 181 yards and one touchdown. Montgomery ran for 74 yards. The Eagles scored on two long drives but could not overcome the 49ers' scoring efficiency. The 24-13 final moved the 49ers to 5-4 and into the wild card conversation.
49ers 24, Eagles 13. Margin: plus 11. Record: 5-4.
A 24-13 road win at Veterans Stadium. The 49ers move to 5-4 and into the NFC wild card picture.
How it unfolded
Montana's touchdown pass opened the scoring in the first quarter. Craig added two rushing scores in the second and third. The Eagles scored twice but never tied the game after the first quarter. The defense's two interceptions stalled the Eagles' most dangerous drives.
The turning point
Craig's second rushing touchdown in the third quarter. The 49ers led 17-7 entering the fourth and the Eagles never recovered the deficit.
By the numbers
Craig 18 carries for 97 yards, two touchdowns. Montana 20 of 32 at 7.97 per attempt. The 49ers' defense held Jaworski to 181 yards with two interceptions. The balanced offensive line of 137 rushing and 255 passing yards.
What it means
5-4 heading home for Kansas City. Three straight wins now possible. The 49ers are back in the wild card conversation with seven games left.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 20 | 24 |
| Total Yards | 427 | 364 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 3 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 24/48 | 20/32 |
| Pass yards | 394 | 255 |
| Pass TD | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 3 | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 4 | 3 |
| Sack yards lost | 28 | 28 |
| Net pass yards | 366 | 227 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 16 | 34 |
| Rush yards | 61 | 137 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 2 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 3 | 2 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 2 |
| Penalties | 10 | 5 |
| Penalty yards | 55 | 45 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Matt Cavanaugh | 20/32 | 255 | 1 | 1 | 84.8 |
| PHI | |||||
| Ron Jaworski | 24/48 | 394 | 1 | 3 | 58.9 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 18 | 91 | 0 | 26 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 14 | 37 | 2 | 7 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Derrick Harmon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PHI | ||||
| Earnest Jackson | 12 | 40 | 0 | 18 |
| Michael Haddix | 4 | 21 | 0 | 9 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 7 | 76 | 0 | 19 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 3 | 70 | 1 | 41 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 21 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 20 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 16 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 12 |
| Derrick Harmon | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| PHI | ||||
| Mike Quick | 6 | 146 | 1 | 82 |
| Herman Hunter | 5 | 75 | 0 | 31 |
| John Spagnola | 3 | 56 | 0 | 29 |
| Kenny Jackson | 4 | 45 | 0 | 20 |
| Ron Johnson | 2 | 32 | 0 | 19 |
| Michael Haddix | 2 | 16 | 0 | 11 |
| Earnest Jackson | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Dave Little | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
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Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1985 W9 - 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles - Game Thread