(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles have gone through a great deal of uncertainty during the early stages of the post-Donovan McNabb era, but that upheaval has still paled in comparison to the turmoil the San Francisco 49ers have experienced through this season's first four weeks.
Eagles Vs. 49ers: Kevin Kolb Gets Another Shot At Starter Facing Struggling San
Widely believed to be the class of a NFC West Division open for the taking, San Francisco has instead stumbled badly out of the gates, with mistakes, miscommunication and finger-pointing so far sabotaging a season that began with great promise. The 49ers have lost their first four tests of 2010, including a pair of embarrassing one-sided road defeats to Seattle and Kansas City, and are tied for last in the conference with an unwanted minus-six turnover margin.
Miscues foiled the 49ers once more this past Sunday, when the club committed three giveaways in a gut-wrenching 16-14 setback at Atlanta. Quarterback Alex Smith threw two interceptions to bring his league-leading total to seven, while cornerback Nate Clements had a pivotal fumble with just over a minute left after coming away with a potential game-sealing pick of the Falcons' Matt Ryan. Atlanta made the most of the second chance, marching downfield in the waning moments to set up Matt Bryant's go-ahead field goal with two seconds left.
The game was the Niners' first with Mike Johnson as offensive coordinator, with the former quarterbacks coach promoted to the post after Jimmy Raye was fired following the team's 31-10 Week 3 loss at Kansas City. Head coach Mike Singletary could very well be on the hot seat as well, as a loss on Sunday would put San Francisco at 0-5 for the first time since the franchise dropped its first seven tilts en route to a 2-14 campaign under Hall of Famer Bill Walsh in 1979.
On the bright side, the 49ers only find themselves two games behind a three- way logjam atop the soft NFC West at the moment, though no team has reached the playoffs after starting out 0-4 since San Diego in 1992.
The Eagles are also in a fortunate spot, locked in a tie with the New York Giants and Washington for first place in the NFC East despite a 2-2 overall record. They've had just as much inconsistency at quarterback, as injuries have forced head coach Andy Reid to play musical chairs at the all-important position.
Kevin Kolb began the year as the team's successor to longtime stalwart McNabb, traded to division-rival Washington in April, but sustained a concussion in a season-opening loss to Green Bay and was replaced by Michael Vick. The controversial former Falcons star responded by stringing together two terrific performances in wins over Detroit and Jacksonville to seize the starting role, but he too was forced to leave last Sunday's clash with McNabb's Redskins after suffering cartilage damage to his ribs on a hard hit in the first half.
Philadelphia not only lost Vick and the game, dropping a 17-12 decision in a sloppily-played grudge match with the Redskins, but running back LeSean McCoy broke a rib during the contest which has put the second-year standout's status for Sunday's matchup in question as well.
McCoy, who set career-bests with 12 catches and 110 receiving yards in last week's loss, has taken over as Philadelphia's feature back after the team cut ties with oft-injured veteran Brian Westbrook during the offseason. The 31- year-old Westbrook, who made two Pro Bowls and twice rushed for 1,000 yards during a productive eight-year tenure with the Eagles, signed with the 49ers in August to serve in a backup capacity.
Kolb threw for 201 yards and a touchdown with one interception on 22-of-35 passing in relief of Vick last week and will get the starting nod on Sunday. The fourth-year pro will be aiming to bring Philadelphia to its first 3-0 start on the road since 2004, the same year as the organization’s most recent Super Bowl appearance.
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