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SAN FRANCISCO - That long field goal that David Akers has not been able to make for a while will have to wait for another game. The high one he kicked today, however, proved to be a game winner in the Eagles' odd 40-26 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
After the Eagles blew an 11-point first-half lead and fell behind by nine points in the third quarter, Akers connected on a 38-yarder midway through the fourth quarter to restore his team's lead at 27-26 with 7 minutes, 50 seconds to play.
But even that field goal was accompanied by some angst.
As Akers and the Eagles' kickoff team lined up for the kickoff after the play, the 49ers decided to challenge whether the kick was good. Akers said he was not worried about the review.
"I really thought it was good," he said. "I aimed basically down the middle and the ball turned, but it was definitely in. It actually wrapped around the back side of the pole. It hit way wide on the net, but it's because of the geometry of it."
In truth, the ruling by the officials could not be overturned because the kick was above the uprights.
Akers hit two more short field goals in the final quarter to give the Eagles a 33-26 lead, and an interception return for a touchdown by defensive end Juqua Parker sealed the outcome.
Akers did get to attempt a long kick with one second left in the first half. He was sent on the field for a 54-yarder, but a breakdown along the line of scrimmage allowed the 49ers' Ray McDonald to block the kick, and former Eagle cornerback Donald Strickland returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.
"It happened so quick," Akers said. "The first thing you're doing is looking for the ball. You talk about a momentum swing for the 49ers. You kick a 53-yarder, block a 54 for a touchdown, then get the ball and score a touchdown to start the second half."
Playing hurt. It was announced before the Eagles' first series of the second half that left tackle Tra Thomas had a strained left foot and that his return was questionable. About 30 seconds later, Thomas trotted onto the field with the rest of the Eagles' offense. He did, however, appear to be in some pain during a TV time-out. That offensive series ended when McDonald beat Thomas to stop Correll Buckhalter for a loss on third and 1.
Thomas said he was hurt on the first series of the game and he was still in pain afterward.
"I'm a warrior," he said. "And you can print that."
Guard Max Jean-Gilles suffered a shoulder injury but also continued to play. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson was out briefly with a bruised hip.
The most serious injury was to cornerback Lito Sheppard. He suffered a strained hamstring in the third quarter and did not return.
Thomas played in his 156th game, tying Jerry Sisemore for sixth place in team history and first among tackles.
Extra points. Former Eagles linebacker Takeo Spikes came up with an easy interception in the third quarter. With the Eagles at the San Francisco 15-yard line, quarterback Donovan McNabb tried to get the ball to tight end L.J. Smith. Instead, he put the ball right in Spikes' chest. . . . After indicating that Kevin Curtis might play for the first time this season on Friday, the Eagles decided to hold the wide receiver out for one more game. Curtis, sidelined all season after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, will likely make his debut when the Eagles return from their bye week Oct. 26 against Atlanta.
at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.
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