The Eagles scored 23 fourth quarter points to enjoy a resounding 40-26 victory over the 49ers.
Philadelphia scored 13 points late in the game off of three turnovers that involved 49ers quarterback JT O'Sullivan.
The final score came off of a 55-yard interception returned for a touchdown by defensive end Juqua Parker.
O'Sullivan had the ball stripped by Trent Cole on the series before, and the fumbled ball was recovered by the Eagles at the 49ers 20-yardline. That ended in a 28-yard field goal by David Akers that put the Eagles up by 7 at 33-26.
O'Sullivan was also picked off on the drive before his fumble by Quintin Mikell that was returned 41 yards to the 49ers 6-yardline. The defense prevented the Eagles from getting a touchdown but a 25-yard field goal by Akers allowed them to take a four point lead, 30-26, with 5:14 left in the game.
The Eagles captured a 27-26 fourth quarter lead, thanks to a 38-yard field goal by Akers at the end of a 6-play, 31-yard drive that came with 7:46 left in the game. Head coach Mike Nolan challenged whether or not the field goal which was good.
With about 11 and a half minutes left of the game, the Eagles closed to within two points after a 3-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb to tight end LJ Smith. The touchdown catch wiped up a short 5-play, 38-yard scoring drive.
Following the first sack of JT O'Sullivan of the game, Andy Lee has to punt the ball from the end zone, and shanked it. DeSean Jackson caught it off a bounce and got to the 38 before he stepped out of bounds.
The Eagles had threatened to score on their possession before too, but McNabb was picked off inside the redzone by Takeo Spikes.
The 49ers extended their lead over the Eagles, 26-17 with three minutes left in the third quarter after a 29-yard Joe Nedney field goal. The kick completed an 11-play, 77-yard drive that was highlighted by a 57-yard pass play by Vernon Davis. Davis slipped Eagles Quintin Mikell and Brian Dawkins right after making the catch and then used his speed for a long run into Eagles territory.
The 49ers captured a 23-17 lead with 11:14 to go in the third quarter after a 6-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore. Gore cutback when he saw an open seam between Barry Sims and Vernon Davis and weaved his way in for the score, which finished off a 6-play, 78-yard drive. Prior to his touchdown, Gore enjoyed a 25-yard run. The drive was ignited by a 21-yard catch by Isaac Bruce, while Arnaz Battle's 26-yard pass play helped to convert a 2nd and 14 down.
The 49ers closed to within a point at the end of the first half on a 41-yard blocked field goal touchdown return by Donald Strickland. Ray McDonald blocked David Akers' 54-yard field goal attempt with one second remaining in the half to trim the Eagles to a 17-16 halftime lead.
The 49ers scored on the series before the block with the offense putting together a 10-play, 37-yard drive culminating in a 53-yard Joe Nedney field goal to get their only points of the second quarter.
The Eagles scored ten points in the second quarter.
Their first score arrived early in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb to Hank Bassett. The pass finished off a 10-play, 78-yard scoring drive to put the Eagles up 14-6.
Philadelphia then cushioned that lead to 17-6 with 4:30 left in the half after a 19-yard field goal by David Akers. DeSean Jackson accounted for most of the yardage on the 8-play, 63-yard drive with a 19-yard punt return and a pair of 26-yard receptions. Jackson nearly got the touchdown too, but was stopped by safety Dashon Goldson at the 1-yardline.
The 49ers trailed the Eagles 7-6 after the first quarter.
The first two scores of the game were set up by long returns.
A 45-yard punt return by Allen Rossum after an Eagles opening three and out series set the 49ers up at the 12-yardline. The 49ers were held to a three and out with Nedney coming on for a 32-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Quintin Demps then returned Nedney's kickoff 63 yards to set his Eagles offense up on the 49ers side of the field at the 37. In seven plays, Philly found the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run by Correll Buckhalter. A key play on the drive was a 3rd and 2 Donovan McNabb throw to Hank Bassett for a 16-yard gain.
Trailing 7-3, the 49ers put together a 9-play, 54-yard drive that sputtered in the red zone. Vernon Davis enjoyed a 24-yard screen pass, followed by a 9-yard screen pass to Frank Gore to set the 49ers up with a 2nd and 1 at the Philly 14-yardline. An illegal snap penalty on Eric Heitmann lost five yards, and the 49ers settled for a 34-yard Nedney field goal to trim the Eagles lead to only a point with 4:25 to go in the first quarter.
