Eagles-49ers scouting report
Recent history: The Eagles won at San Francisco on Sept. 24, 2006, 38-24. The 49ers lead the series, 17-9-1.
OFFENSE
Eagles: 342.6 yards per game (9th)
49ers: 307.4 yards per game (21st)
Quarterback
Eagles: Donovan McNabb's yards-per-attempt average has plummeted from 9.2 in the first two games to 6.2 in the last three. He threw the ball downfield just once last week, and that was to a running back (Lorenzo Booker). He's also been more reluctant than ever to run (four rushing attempts in the last three games).
Niners: J.T. O'Sullivan entered the season with little battlefield experience – just 26 pass attempts in six NFL seasons. He has a strong arm, but is not particularly accurate. In the Niners' last two games, he's completed just 49.2 percent of his passes and has thrown five interceptions.
PICK: EAGLES
Running back
Eagles: The likely absence of injured Brian Westbrook weakens a ground game that already has been struggling. The Eagles, who have run the ball on just 41 of 114 offensive plays the last 2 weeks, are 29th in yards per carry (3.5). Look for defensive tackle Dan Klecko to get more fullback reps.
Niners: Frank Gore is just 5-9, but has a strong upper body and rarely goes down on first contact. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and also is the Niners' leading receiver with 19 catches. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz wants to increase Gore's pass-catching role and use him like he did Marshall Faulk in St. Louis.
PICK: NINERS
Receiver
Eagles: Eagles wideouts caught 62 passes in the first four games, but just seven against the Redskins. They have only two TD catches. TE L.J. Smith needs to become more involved in the passing game. He has just nine catches, four since Week 1. He caught two passes on the first possession last week, then just one more.
Niners: Vernon Davis, the sixth overall pick in the 2006 draft, may be the fastest TE in the league, but doesn't have very good hands or instincts. He has just five catches, two in the last four games. WR Isaac Bruce is at the tail end of his career, but four of his 10 catches in the last three games have been TDs.
PICK: EAGLES
Offensive line
Eagles: Eagles have given up just 10 sacks, but seven have come in their two games against the same 3-4 scheme they're going to see a lot Sunday. Niners registered five sacks last week vs. New England. Eagles also haven't run the ball very well against the 3-4 this season (3.1 yards per carry). Or against the 4-3, for that matter.
Niners: This unit had a lot of problems dealing with the Patriots' pre-snap movement. J.T. O'Sullivan was only sacked once, but was under siege most of the game. The only real blue-chipper up front is second-year LT Joe Staley. But he spent his rookie season at RT and still is struggling to make the transition.
PICK: EAGLES
DEFENSE
Eagles: 274 yards per game (6th)
49ers: 344 yards per game (T-21st)
Defensive line
Eagles: The Eagles are expected to get DE Victor Abiamiri back this week, which should reduce Trent Cole's and Juqua Parker's reps a bit and help keep them fresher. Abiamiri, who missed the first five games after needing surgery to repair a dislocated wrist, will be used both outside and inside as a tackle in nickel.
Niners: While the Niners are considered a 3-4 defense, they mix up their fronts a lot, much like the Patriots. Former Bengal Justin Smith moves from OLB to RE when they switch to a four-man front. Eagles have faced some very good nose tackles this season, but Aubrayo Franklin isn't one of them.
PICK: EAGLES
Linebacker
Eagles: This young unit, which had played pretty well in the first four games, particularly vs. the run, got manhandled last week by Washington. They have not been very effective at taking away the tight end. Opposing TEs have 30 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns in five games.
Niners: In his second season, Patrick Willis has established himself as one of the league's best LBs. He's a playmaker who is always around the ball. He was in on 18 tackles vs. New England last week, including 14 solos. Justin Smith, strictly a 4-3 end in Cincy, has made a pretty smooth transition to the 3-4.
PICK: EVEN
Secondary
Eagles: Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson probably will go with three corners a lot vs. pass-happy Mike Martz. Safeties Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell must be careful of TE Vernon Davis. While the 49ers haven't thrown much to him, he has sub-4.4 speed and can get behind them in a flash.
Niners: Nate Clements is one of the league's better cover men, though he's already given up two long pass plays this season. Their other CB, Walt Harris, is on the downside of his career. Both of their safeties - ex-Eagle Mike Lewis and Mark Roman - can be exploited in coverage.
PICK: EAGLES
Special teams
Eagles: PR DeSean Jackson, who returned a punt 68 yards for a TD last week, should get some more home-run opportunities vs. a punt-coverage unit that is ranked 27th in the league. Eagles need to tighten up their 29th-ranked kickoff coverage vs. Allen Rossum.
Niners: The Niners, who are allowing a hefty 12.9 yards per punt return, face a major challenge in the Eagles' dangerous DeSean Jackson. P Andy Lee has only had seven of his 18 punts returned. Return man Allen Rossum is first in the NFC in kickoff returns (28.9).
PICK: EAGLES
Hot and not
HOT:
Eagles: WR Reggie Brown. Has 10 catches for 163 yards in the last two games.
Niners: RB Frank Gore. Leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage. Is averaging 5.6 yards per touch.
NOT:
Eagles: WR Hank Baskett. Has one catch for 10 yards in the last two games after a career-high eight receptions vs. Steelers.
Niners: QB J.T. O'Sullivan. Has thrown five interceptions and has a 49.2 completion percentage in the last two games.
Key matchups
1. Eagles LBs Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong vs. Niners RB Frank Gore: Gore leads the NFL in rushing and receiving yards. Advantage: Niners
2. Eagles LT Tra Thomas vs. Niners RE/OLB Justin Smith: Smith has three sacks, but Thomas still is one of the league's best LTs. Advantage: Eagles
3. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Niners CB Nate Clements: Clements is one of the league's top cover men, but can he deal with Jackson's 4.3 speed? Advantage: Eagles
Domowitch's prediction
Eagles 27, Niners 20
