In what many called the first real test for the team who has soared on second-half comebacks, the Eagles dropped their first game of the season as the San Francisco 49ers came out with the victory by the final score of 26-21.
It was all defense and special teams in the first half to get the Eagles going. After an unsuccessful opening drive by Nick Foles and the Eagles offense, Trent Cole and Connor Barwin came up with a huge sack on Colin Kaepernick pinning the 49ers back at their own two. Then on a fourth down punt,tight end Trey Burton got in for the block leading Brad Smith to recover the ball in the endzone for the touchdown.
The 49ers would try to use their offense to get themselves back in the game. Although the Eagles defense got a huge amount of pressure on Kaepernick, he was able to connect on an across-the-field throw to running back Frank Gore for a 55-yard touchdown.
Kaepernick and the 49ers offense would continue to be terrorized by the Eagles defense. For the third consecutive game, safety Malcolm Jenkins came up with yet another huge interception, this time taking it all the way to the house for an Eagles touchdown.
Foles and the offense would continue to struggle throughout the remainder of the first half. With multiple overthrows and settling for small gains, Foles finished the first half just 11/21 with 92 yards.
Special teams would not let up their attack on the 49ers as the game progressed. On another 49ers punt, running back Darren Sproles shook a facemask and returned the ball 82 yards for another non-offensive Eagles touchdown. A pair of 49ers field goals from Phil Dawson kept the Eagles lead at the half to just eight.
The Eagles offensive struggles continued as the second half got underway. A Foles pass to tight end Zach Ertz led to a forced fumble and recovery by the 49ers. The turnover set up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick to wide receiver Stevie Johnson. Dawson then hit a late third quarter field goal to give San Francisco their first lead of the game.
Niners’ safety Antoine Bethea then came up with another turnover as a wildly thrown ball intended for Jeremy Maclin ended up in his hands. The Eagles were able to come up with the defensive stop to prevent the 49ers from extending their lead.
With the Eagles down 26-21, a spectacular catch by Maclin put the Eagles in scoring position. However, the Eagles failed to get into the endzone, giving the 49ers the ball back on their own two. A defensive stop gave the Eagles back the ball with a minute and a half left in the game. With the chance to drive down the field for the game winner, Foles threw a pick to Perrish Cox to seal the win for San Francisco.
Next week, the Eagles look to rebound as they return home to take on the St. Louis Rams at 1 p.m.
[Photo: Philly.com]
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