Week 3 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 38, San Francisco 49ers 24

What you need to know

Philadelphia Eagles

After the collapse of the Eagles in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants last week, the Eagles rebounded very well against suspect San Francisco, putting up a total of 38 points. McNabb made good on his promise to not allow another a let down. The Eagles appeared to falter in the third quarter, posting negative five yards of offense, as the 49ers tried to claw their way back into contention, but McNabb and the Eagles defense were able to put the game away.

McNabb started the game off with some trickery, running a flea-flicker pass for 50 yards to Reggie Brown, which set up a one yard touchdown pass to L.J. Smith. McNabb was a bit inconsistent during the game. He had several pin-point accurate passes, but he had an equal number of wild throws. There were, however, no interceptions to mar his stat line, and McNabb threw two touchdown passes and aired it out for 296 yards.

Westbrook’s less than perfect attendance at practice this week had no effect on his game. His highlight reel includes a 71 yard touchdown in the second quarter, complete with a brutal stiff arm en route to the end zone, to quiet the hopeful San Francisco fans. He was also a passing threat, and was also able to haul in a four yard touchdown pass. Westbrook was also added another rushing touchdown late in the game to finish off a phenomenal performance with a 164 total yards and three touchdowns.

San Francisco 49ers

In a losing effort, Alex Smith set career highs in completed passes (26), attempted passes (47), and passing yards (293) in a game. At times in the first half, his passes were inaccurate and erratic as he felt pressure from the persistent blitzing of the Eagles’ defense. However, in the second half, Smith looked more poised in the pocket and even showed mobility as he was able to roll out and throw strikes down field to open receivers. He favored Eric Johnson, the second tight end, after Vernon Davis was carted off the field with a leg injury. He targeted Johnson eight times, throwing a 15 yard touchdown pass to him at the end of the game.

Frank Gore was not able to get into a rhythm during the game, as the Eagles' rush defense once again shut down the opposing running back. Gore was able to find holes at times, but finished with only a 3.2 yard average per carry. Gore was also given plenty of opportunity to get the ball into the end zone; getting three straight rushes from the Eagles’ one yard line in a third quarter drive; however, on his third attempt he fumbled and the Eagles recovered and returned it for a touchdown. Gore suffered an abdominal strain on that play, and did not return.

Michael Robinson filled in for the injured Gore and took advantage of his chance by scoring two one yard touchdowns, running with a lot of power and determination.

What you ought to know

QB Donovan McNabb, Pass: 18 - 33 - 296 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 1 - 0

McNabb was solid, if not spectacular, picking apart the San Francisco secondary and torching them for 296 yards. He just missed his third consecutive 300 yard passing day performance. McNabb did not appear to miss WR Donte Stallworth. He threw two touchdown passes, bringing his season total to seven to date. McNabb completed passes to seven different receivers, but his favorite target by far was second year wide receiver Reggie Brown, who was targeted 11 times. It is worth noting that McNabb has only thrown one interception this season, and that was in week one against the Texans.

RB Brian Westbrook, Rush: 8 - 117 - 2, Rec: 4 - 47 - 1 (6 targets)

Westbrook ran well throughout the game, showing no ill effects of the sore knee that kept him out of practice most of the week. He had five carries for 98 yards in the first half alone. He looked agile and elusive as he cut through the 49ers defense and totaled an amazing 117 yards on just eight carries, for a 14.6 average rush per carry. He was also a major factor in the passing game, catching four passes for 47 yards, including the Eagles’ first touchdown of the day.

RB Correll Buckhalter, Rush: 5 - 16 - 0, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (2 targets)

Buckhalter saw the bulk of his carries as the Eagles tried to kill the clock in the fourth quarter, filling in for starting running back Brain Westbrook. He finished the day with five carries for 16 years. He was able to grab two catches for 25 yards for a 41 total yards.

RB Thomas Tapeh (2 targets)

Tapeh was targeted twice in the game, was not able to make any catches, and did not receive any carries.

WR Reggie Brown, Rec: 5 - 106 - 0 (11 targets)

Brown delivered as Donte Stallworth was inactive, and Brown picked up the slack quite well. He set the tone on a 50 yard flea-flicker pass for the first play of the game. Brown was also McNabb’s most frequently targeted receiver, and was able to finish the day with five catches for 106 yards. He had a 21 yard touchdown pass disallowed because he was bobbling the ball as he rolled out of bounds in the end zone.

WR Greg Lewis, Rec: 2 - 31 - 0 (5 targets)

Lewis was able snare two catches for 31 yards. He dropped a couple of balls which hit his hands and lost a critical fumble in the first half before the games was put away.

WR Hank Baskett, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Baskett finished the day with two passing attempts coming his way, and caught one of them for eight yards.

WR Donte Stallworth

Stallworth was kept out of this game due to a hamstring injury.

TE L.J. Smith, Rec: 3 - 19 - 1 (4 targets)

Smith was able to find the end zone for the first time this season; however he was unable to finish the game due to his lingering shoulder injury. He was sure-handed, catching three of the four balls thrown to him for 19 yards.

TE Matt Schobel, Rec: 1 - 60 - 0 (1 targets)

Schobel caught the only ball thrown to him, then rumbled slowly down the sideline (but making a nice move to avoid a sure tackle) for an 60 yard reception which set up a Eagles’ touchdown

PK David Akers 1 - 2 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 8 points

Akers went one for two on field goal attempts, missing a 39 yard field goal badly to the left. He was able to convert all five extra point attempts. Akers has hit three of five field goal attempts this season.

PHI Rush Defense

The run defense was fantastic again, including five straight plays at the goal line where the defense held true and did not yield a TD until the 49ers sixth try. The Eagles forced and recovered a goal line fumble and ran it back 99 yards for the touchdown which ended the San Francisco comeback hopes. The rush defense was a major highlight for Philadelphia, allowing only 123 yards on the ground.

PHI Pass Defense

The pass defense was suspect for the Eagles again, especially after losing Michael Lewis, Rod Hood, and Brian Dawkins to injuries. The secondary was already missing the injured cornerback Lito Shepherd. The Eagles allowed Alex Smith to pass for nearly 300 yards, although most of those yards came in the fourth quarter where the game was already out of reach.

QB Alex Smith, Pass: 27 - 46 - 293 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 6 - 39 - 0

Smith was not given much of an opportunity to do anything, as he felt the effects of the Eagles’ blitz most of the day. The blitz caused Smith to throw many inaccurate passes, missing his receivers either very far behind them or too far over their heads. He was sacked twice in the second half, and on both of the plays he fumbled the ball. He was able to recover one of those fumbles, but lost the other. Smith was better in the second half, as he looked more poised in the pocket and made some deep plays to try to get his team back into the game. The Eagles defense was just too much for the second year quarterback; however, he was able to finish the day 27-46 for 293 yards, no interceptions, and one touchdown. These were all career highs. He showed promise during several second half drives, especially during the third period when the 49ers were threatening a comeback.

RB Frank Gore, Rush: 16 - 52 - 0, Rec: 6 - 22 - 0 (7 targets)

Before leaving the game with an injury, Gore was a work horse, and did well considering he was facing one of the best run defenses in the league. He also made his presence felt in the passing game, being targeted seven times, and catching six passes for 22 yards. Gore was the focal point of the offense; however, at a crucial point in the third quarter, he fumbled his third opportunity at the goal line, and the Eagles’ Mike Patterson took it back for a TD and a huge momentum swing. This is Gore’s third fumble in as many games, a problem he needs to correct in order to become an elite back. Gore left the game in the third quarter with an abdominal strain, and did not return.

RB Michael Robinson, Rush: 5 - 29 - 2, Rec: 2 - 3 - 0

Robinson was the big surprise of the day. He came in the game for an injured Frank Gore, and showed a lot of power as he broke a Brain Dawkins tackle for his first touchdown. Dawkins was by far the most effective player in the Eagles’ secondary and Robinson plowed over him. After treatment on the field, Dawkins remained on the sidelines but did not return to the game. Robinson also added another one yard score. He ran hard, as he broke many tackles and showed a lot of effort as he picked up 29 yards on five carries, several of those yards coming on second effort chances.

RB Maurice Hicks, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 4 - 42 - 0 (4 targets)

Hicks caught all four balls that came his way, finishing the day with three rushing yards and 42 receiving yards.

WR Antonio Bryant, Rec: 4 - 36 - 0 (7 targets)

Bryant was targeted seven times in the passing game, and ended the game with four catches for 36 yards. However, several of the balls thrown his way were far off target. Bryant also had a long reception called back by a Michael Robinson holding penalty.

WR Arnaz Battle, Rec: 3 - 28 - 0 (3 targets)

Battle caught all three balls that came his way, ending the game with three catches for 28 yards.

WR Bryan Gilmore, Rec: 1 - 75 - 0 (3 targets)

Gilmore had one reception for 75 yards. The catch set up a San Francisco touchdown by Michael Robinson.

TE Eric Johnson, Rec: 7 - 87 - 1 (8 targets)

Johnson showed chemistry with Alex Smith and had a good day. He caught a touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the game, filling in for an injured Vernon Davis. He finished the day with seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, all but two of the receptions were in the second half.

TE Vernon Davis (3 targets)

Davis was targeted three times, but had no receptions. He left the game midway in the third quarter, when he was carted off for a hamstring injury.

PK Joe Nedney 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Nedney was one for one on field goal attempts, and was able to tack on three extra points.

SF Rush Defense

The rush defense of the 49ers was torn apart by Brain Westbrook and the Philadelphia rushing offense, allowing the Eagles to gain 149 yards on just 18 attempts. These stats include a 71 yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter by Brain Westbrook.

SF Pass Defense

The pass defense had no answer for McNabb and seemed to be confused as the game went on, as they allowed McNabb to pass on them for 296 yards and two touchdowns. The pass rush never really got to McNabb due to the play of the Eagles’ offensive line.