The Eagles are a desperate team right now and they are also banged up as Reggie Brown (groin) and Brian Westbrook (fractured ribs) are both out this week.  Still, look for the Eagles to air it out with Donovan McNabb and his capable WR corps against the Niners who are allowing 215.6 yards passing per game.  McNabb has been sacked 10 times this season so the Eagles will need to protect him to give him time to get the ball downfield.  That is easier said than done against a Niners’ defense that has 13 sacks this season and 7 interceptions.  Correll Buckhalter is a capable replacement for Brian Westbrook but he’s also a downgrade for the Eagles there.  The Niners are allowing 128.4 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry so Buckhalter could have a good game.

The 49ers have to run the football in this football game as the Eagles will be putting huge pressure on J.T. O’Sullivan who has been sacked 20 times already this season.  The Eagles have 18 sacks this season as they start blitzing when they get off the team bus and O’Sullivan tends to get rattled when he gets popped a few times.  The way they will try to slow the pass rush is by throwing screens to Frank Gore and also letting him run the ball alot.  He is averaging 120.6 yards rushing and receiving per game this season so look for him to be busy. 

PREDICTION:  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 20, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 16

The Eagles fell to 2-3 on the season with this loss last weekend.  The usually stout Eagles’ defense fell prey to a power running attack by the Redskins.  The Redskins rushed for 203 yards rushing on 44 carries (4.6 ypc) and held onto the football for 34:45!  That was way too much for the Eagles to overcome last week.  The final nail in the coffin was falling victim to another trick pass by WR Antwaan Randle El of the Redskins that went for a 18-yard TD to TE Chris Cooley.

Not only did the Redskins shut down the Eagles but they hurt them.  Brian Westbrook and Reggie Brown won’t be available this weekend for the Eagles as the Skins lowered the boom on them.  Westbrook (33 yards rushing, 51 yards receiving) wasn’t his usual self last Sunday and that hurt the Eagles who didn’t have much balance on offense.  Donovan McNabb also failed to step up in this game completing 17 of 29 passes for 196 yards.  The Eagles fell to 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in the NFC East with this loss.

This should be a very interesting battle in the NFC East which is football’s best division this season.  Can the Redskins put together two big road efforts in a row after downing the Cowboys last week?  We will see tomorrow.  But, Philly is a tough place to play as the Eagles are 2-0 at home outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 53-9!  The Redskins want to run the football it will be fun to watch Clinton Portis (369 yards rushing, 4.3 ypc) take on the Eagles’ defense that is only allowing 53.8 yards rushing per game and 2.6 ypc this season.  If Jason Campbell gets time to throw the ball (the Eagles have 17 sacks this season) then Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El might have some success despite the Eagles having a fine set of corners.  TE Chris Cooley also will likely play a big role on short stuff over the middle of the field.

The Eagles will likely attack the Redskins through the air as DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis are all off to good starts this season.  The Eagles also have Reggie Brown back which gives the Eagles another good weapon to throw the ball to.  Donovan McNabb already has 1,100 yards passing this season and he will be taking aim at the Redskins’ D which is allowing 223.0 yards passing per game this year.  The Eagles hope to have Brian Westbrook back this week but they won’t be hurting if they have to start the capable Correll Buckhalter tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 24, WASHINGTON REDSKINS 17

The Eagles just came up a tad short last Sunday Night against the Bears in Chicago.  Donovan McNabb had a solid game completing 25 of 41 passes for 262 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  Correll Buckhalter got the start in place of an injured Brian Westbrook and he carried the ball 16 times for 66 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Reggie Brown led the way in the passing game for the Eagles with 6 catches for 79 yards (13.2 avg).  DeSean Jackson was also busy with 5 grabs for 71 yards (14.2 avg) with a TD grab and he also carried the ball 2 times for 35 yards (17.5 ypc).  The Eagles finished up with 103 yards rushing on 23 carries (4.5 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 41 passes for 237 yards.

Linebacker Omar Gaither (9 tackles, fumble recovery) and DE Trent Cole (8 tackles, interception) led a impressive effort by the Eagles’ defense.  The Bears finished up with only 78 yards rushing on 26 carries (3.0 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 34 passes for 178 yards.  The Eagles are now 2-2 on the season.