Eagles-49ers: The pick

THE PICK

This was one of those games most of us tabbed as an Eagles loss when the schedule came out. A lot has happened to the 49ers since then. Beyond injuries, arrests and suspensions, there is talk of discipline breaking down, of coach Jim Harbaugh maybe having one foot out the door. Despite its pedigree, this team has blown two leads into losses and sure hasn't looked unbeatable.

But let's be real. A lot has happened to the Eagles lately, as well. Jason Kelce, Evan Mathis and Mychal Kendricks would make most preseason lists of the 10 most important, irreplaceable Eagles. Nick Foles willed the offense past the Redskins in the fourth quarter last Sunday, and the defense - well, if Kirk Cousins hadn't flat-out missed some receivers late, the Eagles would not be 3-0.

If the Eagles win this game and get to 4-0, with just the Rams and the Giants left, both at the Linc, before the bye, all bets are off as far as where this season ends up. No dream would seem too big, at that point. Maybe that's why I have a hard time seeing it - I'm not from here, but I've lived in this area 31 years now, and I know it's never that easy. Much more likely is 3-1 and a postgame rationale of "well, we're getting Lane Johnson back next week, and Kendricks is getting closer, too . . . "

Harbaugh might be difficult for the front office to deal with, but he's as good a coach as there is. I'll believe the 49ers are really falling apart when the playoffs start without them.