Eagles-49ers predictions
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles-49ers predictions
Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari
JEFF MCLANE
Record, 2-1
Just in the time, the 49ers come to town. Don't let its 2-1 start fool you, San Francisco isn't that good. Yes, the 49ers have a solid defense -- an aggressive run-stopping unit led by inside linebacker Patrick Willis. But that's pretty much as far as it goes. Their best offensive weapon -- running back Frank Gore -- comes in on a gimpy ankle. Gore could have helped even the scales against an Eagles run defense that is 30th in the NFL. But it wasn't like he was scorching the earth in the first place, averaging a miniscule 2.5 yards a carry. So more of the load will fall on quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Vernon Davis (15 catches for 179 yards) and a last-in-the-league 49ers offense that has trouble expanding the field. Advantage: Juan Castillo and his inconsistent defense.
If there were ever a must win by Week 4 this is it. Andy Reid cannot afford to fall to 1-3 with Buffalo and Washington -- the Eagles' next two opponents -- better than expected. So expect to see a workmanlike offensive gameplan. The trickery is out, Owen Schmitt is out. Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin -- provided he plays -- are just too talented for this Eagles team to lose three straight. Eagles, 24-13.
What goes right: Jackson finally breaks out of his two-game funk and strikes early.
What goes wrong: Nate Allen, in for the benched Kurt Coleman, doesn't exactly solve the woes at safety.
JONATHAN TAMARI
Record, 2-1
Sometimes you have to step back and look at the big picture. When I picked the Eagles to lose in Atlanta Week 2, it wasn't because of any specific evidence on the field, it was just that I didn't see Andy Reid's team as a group ready to run rampant through the early part of the season. I figured a slip up was in order. By the same token, despite all the doom and gloom brought on by two straight losses, this team is far too talented to let the wheels to come off in Week 4. I don't expect all of their problems to be solved, and San Francisco might be more dangerous than first thought, but with the motivation of a game the Eagles have to have, with Reid knowing he has to rally his guys, and with the 49ers' at the end of a 10-day road trip, I think the Eagles restore some order and get a win Sunday. It might not be pretty, but it'll still count in the standings. Eagles, 24-20.
What goes right: Jackson gets back on track with a big day.
What goes wrong: The defense still struggles to close out the game (even if they manage to hang on this time).
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So when is the rematch between you and Bowen gonna happen?— PingasMan- How come no stories on the Les and Jeff altercation. If that would have been (2) players there would have been a million articles!— faffy12
- Mclane got beat up by an old guy!— chief_jaysons
- Let's Go Niners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— taxmanndumbeth
- Ah, another dummy who isn't even a real footbal fan — Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
- Yo Jeff you got biotch slapped by the old guy and did nothing, man up dude.— Flyboy24
- Les is the man!— Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
- McLane and Bowen went at it on Twitter yesterday. Bowen never responded when his colleague called him "an old hack" (among other things). He simply told one follower that he would "handle [his] business in person." He did just that. Howard Eskin went on WIP shortly after this Tweet (listen to it after the jump). He said Bowen and McLane started arguing with each other in the press room before Bowen landed a shot to the head. I'm told by a few other folks that the whole encounter was "short-lived" and punches were only thrown by Les, who is now a Twitter legend.— Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
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- if it is close, Akers wins it on a field goal....thanks andy...— nuggett
- 1-3!! Very likely if you take my Niner's lightly. Vick goes down early and Jackson can't get out of his funk=Smith to VD over your 2nd string LB core.. 20-17 Niners!!!
Niner's take the Raider approach..Just win baby!— SFRush - Eagles win in a blow out. Fortunately, the Niners suck worse than the Birds and will give Andy and Co. a one week reprieve from the pitchfork wielding fans.— PinkstonsStrengthCoach
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Now let's see Tamari and Kapadia fight. I imagine it would involve lots of closed-eye slapping and shin-kicking, after which Sheil would post a column called "Making Sense of My Slap Fight with Tamari" complete with charts on the percentage of blows he landed per blows attempted. My sense is that all this Les v. Maclane battle royale talk is a good early season distraction for semi-distraught eagles fans. Chances it was staged to drum up publicity/traffic: 20%?— Leegles
