Jamaal Jackson

Jackson's play at center was a big factor. There was only one play the entire game where he didn't pass-block well. He was fortunate not be called for holding defensive end Ray McDonald on a short run by McNabb in the fourth quarter right before Akers' 38-yard field goal. If a penalty had been called, Akers' attempt would have been from 50 yards.

The center was dominating in the run game, which accounted for 103 yards on just 21 attempts. One example came in the opening quarter when Jackson pushed McDonald off the ball, creating room for Correll Buckhalter to pick up a first down on a third-and-1 play. Jackson prevented penetration by linebacker Takeo Spikes on the next play, and Buckhalter ran behind him for a touchdown.

Jackson made a punishing block on defensive tackle Ronald Field during a 15-yard run by Buckhalter early in the fourth quarter, then abused linebacker Patrick Willis on an 18-yard screen pass to the veteran running back a few plays later.

Hank Baskett

Baskett had the first big catch of the day for the Eagles when he pulled in a high third-and-2 pass from McNabb for a 16-yard gain. Baskett used his leaping ability to make the play, and the catch eventually led to a touchdown.

On the Eagles' next offensive series, Baskett made another nice leaping catch on a second-and-9 play by running a slant pattern. He was tightly covered by cornerback Walt Harris but managed to hold onto the football.

Baskett is also a good downfield blocker. He did a terrific job blocking safety Mark Roman on a first-and-goal play from the nine that resulted in a 7-yard gain on a screen to DeSean Jackson.

Two plays later, Baskett did an incredible job of keeping his feet in bounds on a fade pattern for a touchdown on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Coach Andy Reid said it's not a play you can run against every team and maybe that's true, but the Eagles should definitely run it again a few times before this season is over.

Baskett's biggest mistake was a false start on first down at the start of a fourth-quarter drive, but he made up for it with an 8-yard catch at the 49ers' 2-yard line a few plays later. That reception helped set up a McNabb TD throw to tight end L.J. Smith.

Quintin Mikell

Two years later, Quintin Mikell is the Eagles' starting strong safety, and he's leaps and bounds better than the other two guys. He plays the run every bit as well as Lewis did during his days here and covers much better. And Considine never came close to playing at the level Mikell is at right now.

Mikell, in fact, is playing as well as any Eagles defensive back this season, and he certainly outshined Lewis, who was barely a factor for the 49ers' defense. Mikell, meanwhile, finished with seven tackles and a key fourth-quarter interception.

On the 49ers' second offensive series, Mikell sniffed out a screen to Vernon Davis and stopped the tight end for a 1-yard loss, and late in the first half he closed fast to stop Arnaz Battle for no gain on a short pass to the receiver.

The safety continued his dominating play early in the second half when he teamed with linebacker Stewart Bradley to throw Davis for a 4-yard loss on another screen play to the tight end.

Mikell's biggest play, of course, was his fourth-quarter interception when he stepped in front of Isaac Bruce on a third-and-18 play, then returned his pick 41 yards to the San Francisco 7-yard line, setting up a David Akers field goal.

The safety's only negative play came on 57-yard completion from J.T. O'Sullivan to Davis midway through the third quarter. Mikell couldn't fight off a stiff-arm by the 49ers' tight end, who went on to break a Brian Dawkins tackle attempt and pick up an additional 38 yards on the play.

Mikell made amends at the end of that series when he blitzed off the left edge and pressured O'Sullivan into an errant pass over the head of a wide-open Davis. The incompletion forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal that left the Eagles down by nine.