Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers, Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, October 10, 2010, 8:20 pm EST, TV: NBC
Opening Line: 49ers -3
Current Line: 49ers -3
Opening Total: 38
Current Total: 38
Money Line: 49ers -175 / Eagles +155
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The San Francisco 49ers (0-4) are still looking for their first win of the season and will try to avoid their first 0-5 start in 31 years when they host the new-look Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers (-3 on the NFL betting odds) have lost two games this season by a combined five points while their other two setbacks were decided by a total of 46, but three of their first four have been on the road and their lone home game came against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Still, San Francisco should not make any excuses for the poor start since this is a team that was expected to win the NFC West this season. The 49ers seemingly locked up their first victory last week at Atlanta, but cornerback Nate Clements fumbled on an interception return after running 39 yards in the final minutes. They had led 14-13 at the time, and the Falcons proceeded to drive for the game-winning field goal, which was kicked with two seconds remaining for a 16-14 victory.
You can bet the Eagles will not be feeling sorry for them after seeing quarterback Michael Vick go down with cartilage damage in his ribs in last week’s 17-12 home loss to Washington. Vick had been outstanding in road wins at Detroit and Jacksonville but was injured against the Redskins when he was trying to take the ball into the end zone on a long run up the middle of the field.
Now it is back to Kevin Kolb as the starting quarterback for Philadelphia after he was medically cleared to play following a concussion in the season-opening loss to Green Bay. Kolb was 22 of 35 for 201 yards with a touchdown and interception in relief of Vick last week, and he hopes to have running back LeSean McCoy available even though he suffered a broken rib last week. McCoy rushed 16 times for 64 yards against Washington and served as Kolb’s safety valve in the passing game with 12 catches for 110 yards. Mike Bell would start for McCoy if he does not play.
San Francisco will try to avoid its fifth straight loss to Philly and fourth in a row at Candlestick Park by doing a better job of utilizing the running game. 49ers running back Frank Gore leads the NFC in yards from scrimmage with 533 and could get some help from former Eagle Brian Westbrook on Sunday. Westbrook has only one carry in three games but knows Philadelphia’s offense and defense very well after spending eight seasons there.
The Eagles are 5-1 straight-up and against the spread in the last six meetings with the OVER going 5-1 in those games. However, San Francisco has seen the UNDER go 6-1-1 in its last eight games against NFC opponents and owns a 2-7-1 ATS mark in its last 10 October games.
For those of you looking at this game tonight looking at a wager, we didn’t release a premium pick on this game but my money would only be on the 49ers in this spot and only at -3 or less. If you didn’t have a good week wagering or are looking to just have an experts advice on your side, next week be sure not to miss any of Maddux’s premium picks and get signed up for our weekly NFL picks for week 6.
