The San Francisco 49ers produced the statement win of the NFL season as they vindicated their status as favorites on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles in emphatic fashion.

San Francisco, having survived a dreadful first quarter after which they trailed just 6-0, scored touchdowns on six successive drives to power to a 42-19 victory at Lincoln Financial Field.

It is a result that moves the 49ers just one game behind the Eagles in the race for the number one seed. The Niners improve to 9-3 with the tiebreaker over the 10-2 Eagles.

But it is also a win that throws two other teams firmly into the conversation for top spot in the conference, a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions improved to 9-3 with their victory over the New Orleans Saints earlier on Sunday, while the Dallas Cowboys are also 9-3 after their thrilling win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

Dallas plays Philadelphia at home next weekend and will have renewed hope of claiming both the NFC East title and the one seed.

However, the 49ers also own the tiebreaker over the Dallas following their 42-10 rout of the Cowboys in primetime in Week 5.

San Francisco also currently owns the tiebreaker over the Lions due to a superior conference record. The 49ers also have a stronger strength of schedule and strength of victory.

The Eagles are still in the box seat, but the number one seed now feels like a pipe dream for the chasing pack. A conference that once looked certain to run through Philadelphia is now wide open, and the 49ers are the team best placed to leapfrog the Eagles after sending a message to the rest of the league.

Dre Greenlaw ejected from 49ers-Eagles game after sideline altercation with security

He completely lost his cool.