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49ers beat themselves again in loss to the Eagles
By Morris Phillips October 10, 2010 |
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At 0-5, only one, very sobering question has relevance in this lost 49ers’ season. Where do we go from here? And the short answer would have to be on to a new beginning for 2011, featuring a different quarterback and a new head coach. In the 49ers 27-24 loss to the Eagles, the ongoing soap opera featuring Alex Smith and Mike Singletary had the unexpected twists and turns, including a near benching of the sixth-year signal caller in the fourth quarter, leading to the inevitable result: a fifth straight loss, three of which, including this one, that have been winnable late. The ongoing theme of turnovers, the most damaging ones courtesy of Smith, and mistakes run through all of the losses, which in the NFL always means changes are around the corner. Smith figured to be in tough straights against the Philadelphia defense that frustrated him last year in a late season loss that doomed that season. Of course, the 49ers with their backs against the wall and at home in front of the ever faithful figured to still maintain a slight edge. But the Eagles matched the 49ers early intensity, and as the game went along, their creative defensive schemes and blitz packages wore on a beleaguered 49ers’ offense. The 49ers fell behind 17-7 in the first half as Eagles’ tight end Brent Celek escaped coverage for a critical 32-yard pass and then an eight-yard touchdown catch. The Eagles LeSean McCoy keyed the running game, and he also burned the 49ers for a 29-yard touchdown run. Meanwhile the 49ers started fast—with a touchdown—but bogged down in a malaise of turnovers and mistakes that have become all too familiar. Whatever the Eagles didn’t take away, the 49ers gave away, courtesy of errant passes and fumbles. But the game was still in reach at the outset of the fourth quarter when the 49ers reached midfield down just 17-10. But another Eagles’ blitz flummoxed Smith, and he fumbled, attempting to throw or escape, and this time, the result was a 52-yard touchdown return for Quinten Mikell, and a 14-point lead for Philadelphia. At that point, Singletary briefly had David Carr warming up as the crowd demanded a change, only to stick with Smith and see him rally with a pair of scores that brought the 49ers within 27-24 with two minutes remaining. And while the Eagles did what the 49ers didn’t—protect the football—they did suffer a brain cramp when McCoy slid before the first down marker on a second-down run, apparently unaware, giving the 49ers a final opportunity, when they subsequently defended the Eagles’ third-down pass. Smith reset for a final drive, just like the one he successfully carried in the home opener against the Saints, but has more often failed to pull off. This time, an accurate throw to Vernon Davis brought the 49ers to midfield, but under pressure, Smith was picked two plays later, on a wounded duck that floated into the hands of Trevard Lindley. Through five weeks, Smith leads the NFL with eight interceptions, and Singletary also is leading the league in curious looks and exasperation. That, unfortunately, might say it all. |
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