Another big play for Eagles' Jenkins

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Malcolm Jenkins totaled just six interceptions in five seasons in New Orleans. He recorded his third interception this season on Sunday, giving him a new career high and showing why the Eagles prioritized the safety during the offseason.

Jenkins jumped in front of Colin Kaepernick's pass on a third and 3 in the second quarter for the interception, and then he juked through San Francisco's offense for a 53-yard touchdown.

When the Eagles signed Jenkins, they craved his versatility. Jenkins played deep safety, box safety, and slot cornerback on Sunday.

Despite his low career interception total, Jenkins was optimistic that he would have more of those opportunities in the Eagles defense. For the third consecutive game, he appeared to be right.

With the 49ers pinned back to punt from their own 2-yard line in the first quarter, the Eagles generated a swarming rush. Trey Burton found a crevice of space to push 49ers linebacker Dan Skuta and reached with his left arm to block Andy Lee's punt. Burton said the ball hit off a 49er and bounced in the end zone, where Brad Smith fell on it to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

It was the Eagles' first touchdown on a punt block since Nov. 22, 1992, when Ken Rose blocked Sean Landeta's punt against the Giants.

The Eagles hoped that the second half would bring better fortune to the offense. Their first drive ended after two plays. Nick Foles connected with Zach Ertz for a short pass, but as Ertz was going out of bounds, Antoine Bethea stripped the ball loose. 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox caught the loose ball, giving the 49ers possession at the Eagles' 23-yard line.

"He just . . . hit me on the one spot, and the ball came out," Ertz said. "It's inexcusable and I take full responsibility."

Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to an opponent. The Eagles defense did nearly everything to perfection on a second-quarter play in which Brandon Graham and the secondary forced Colin Kaepernick out of the pocket to his left.

But the 49ers quarterback spotted running back Frank Gore all alone across the field. Few quarterbacks would have attempted such a throw. Few have the capability to do so. But Kaepernick is as gifted as they come. He threw across his body off his back foot 30 yards across the field. Gore had lots of green and only one man to beat. Earl Wolff mistakenly went high, Gore gave him a stiff arm, and the Eagles safety missed the tackle. Gore ran the rest of the way for a 55-yard touchdown.

Sacks aren't everything and not always an accurate indicator of pass-rushing success, but the Eagles had nary a quarterback takedown in the previous two games.

But something clicked in the first half against the 49ers, and the Eagles got after Kaepernick. He was sacked three times and there would have been a fourth if the Eagles didn't accept a holding penalty after Cedric Thornton beat his man. Connor Barwin picked up his first sack of the season. Vinny Curry was also credited with his first when Kaepernick was angled out of bounds. And Brandon Graham dusted all-pro left tackle Joe Staley for his first sack of the season. Casey Matthews and Barwin split a sack in the third.

As a whole, the Eagles offense sputtered in the first half, but their problems mustering a run game continued. The team was held to 7 yards on six carries before the break.

LeSean McCoy gained just 2 yards on four totes, giving the Eagles running back a total of 24 yards on 23 carries over the last six quarters. The 49ers, like every team this season, were intent on stopping the Eagles' once-explosive rushing game. And a patchwork offensive line that was without three-fifths of its starting lineup had little success getting a push or opening running lanes.

But McCoy seemed to be pressing. For instance, when he had some room in the second quarter, he kicked it outside and was dropped for no gain.

The Eagles defense appeared to hold after Zach Ertz's third-quarter fumble. Trent Cole sacked Colin Kaepernick, and the 49ers would have had to settle for a 51-yard field-goal attempt. But there was a reason why Kaepernick held the ball too long. Cary Williams was holding receiver Michael Crabtree.

The penalty gave San Francisco an automatic first down, and six plays later Kaepernick hit Stevie Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown just inside the pylon in front of Williams.