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49ers eliminated from playoffs with loss to the Eagles
By Morris Phillips December 20, 2009 |
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One after another on Sunday, turnover-prone 49ers returned to the sideline to face the wrath of Coach Mike Singletary, who absolutely hates it when players don’t hang on to the football. With four critical first-half turnovers in a 27-13 loss to the Eagles that eliminated the 49ers from playoff contention, Singletary did a lot of yelling. After the game, with the writing on the wall, Singletary was far more composed. “We came out here to play a different game and do all the things we had to do to get it done and we didn’t get it done,” Singletary said. Alex Smith was picked off three times and Delanie Walker fumbled in the red zone as the 49ers fell behind 20-3 at halftime. Smith threw into coverage on two of the interceptions and overthrew Vernon Davis deep down the middle on the third. The up-and-down quarterback’s rough day had more blemishes, as Smith was unable to convert even once on third-down, going 0 for 11 in those situations, while throwing for just 177 yards. “Alex did not have his best performance. As a team, we did not have our best performance. I think tonight, Alex.. he played poorly. I think he knows that. He’s capable of playing better than that,” Singletary said. The Eagles’ pressure defenses figured to give Smith trouble, just like the Titans and Packers were able to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm earlier this year. The troubles on third down along with the interceptions were indications that Smith is still having a difficult time recognizing coverages, but his offensive line provide much help, as Smith faced constant pressure. On the other side of the ball, the secondary couldn’t contain the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson, who was already on his way to the Pro Bowl, before he burned the 49ers for six catches, 140 yards and a touchdown just minutes in that put Philadelphia up 7-0. Jackson’s success was especially frustrating, since Jeremy Maclin and Brian Westbrook were out with injuries, and the 49ers had to know Jackson was the remaining big play threat. On a 59-yard pass play in the second half, cornerback Dre Bly and safety Michael Lewis allowed Jackson to get behind them. Only Frank Gore could be considered a bright spot in this one as he became the first back to gain 100 yards against the Eagles in the last 24 games. Gore finished with 107 yards on 24 carries. |
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