What's good, cats? Your boy, Wild Bill back with another Eagles preview. It's Week 4 already, can you believe it? We're getting ready to say goodbye to September, and turn the calendar over to October. So let's wrap up September with a look at the Eagles Week 4 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
After what some consider to be an embarrassing loss to the Giants last week, which included some poor tackling, misreads, bites on play action, and whatever else you want to throw in there, the Eagles are angry, and Jim Harbaugh may be feeling the brunt of that frustration come Sunday.
As far as fantasy goes, Philly will certainly look to bounce back against a 49ers defense that is middle of the pack against the pass (16th), but number three in rush defense. Believe it or not, the 49ers have a pretty good rush defense.
Once again, it goes without saying, you are starting LeSean McCoy. That's as obvious as saying "The sky is blue." The main question will come with the receivers, and of course, number seven, Michael Vick.
Vick was thought to have had a broken right hand, but later results have said that he only suffered a bruise. So there is a chance he could play on Sunday. He is taking reps at practice, and said himself that his chances of playing are "100 percent." While Vick will have his top option of DeSean Jackson on hand, he may not have Jeremy Maclin. Maclin is recovering from a hamstring injury and did not practice Wednesday. Coach Andy Reid did say the Maclin is making progress, so continue to monitor this as the week goes on. If he plays, I think he could possibly get you at least five catches. If he doesn't play, look for either Steve Smith or Jason Avant to step into his role.
On the defensive side of the ball, we have yet another change of note involving the Eagles LBs. After looking totally lost on Sunday, especially on the play action that allowed Brandon Jacobs to score on the wheel route, Casey Matthews is no longer a starting LB. Rookie 6th Round pick Brian Rolle, from THE Ohio State University, will take over the starting job at weak side LB, but Matthews will continue to get his share of reps. Rolle isn't known for his size, at just 5-10, 227 pounds, but has consistently worked his way up the depth chart, and now into a starting role, and can make some tackles. And in a game against Frank Gore (or possibly Kendall Hunter), his run-stopping abilty will need to be a full force for the Eagles to have a chance.
Also stepping into a starting role for this week will be Nate Allen, who will replace Kurt Coleman at strong safety. Coleman has always been better on special teams, and hadn't been getting the job done, including a missed tackle on the first of Victor Cruz's touchdowns. At this point, the Eagles need to do something to fix their defense. We'll find out Sunday if these changes were for the best. Not as big a test as San Francisco's offense isn't the greatest, but if the Eagles can't get their run defense in check, and if he's healthy, Frank Gore could end up finding the end zone on Sunday. The real test could come in Week 5 when the Eagles head to Buffalo.
Also a player to watch will be Vernon Davis. This could be the week Davis finally breaks free, as the Eagles are not the greatest of teams against the tight end, and we all know who Alex Smith's favorite target is, and it's not the guy from Texas Tech (Michael Crabtree, for those who either don't know or forgot his last second touchdown to beat then number one Texas).
All in all, the Eagles really need this game. They absolutely cannot afford to fall to 1-3 with a date in Buffalo against the 4-0 Bills looming on the horizon. That's right, I'm calling right now the Bills will be 4-0 when the Eagles play them, I mean come on, they play the Bengals this week. I think the Eagles come out firing on all cylinders, but San Fran will get some stops every now and then and could make this a close one. But I think Philly finds a way to take this one.
Prediction: Eagles 17, 49ers 13
That's all from me for this week. See you guys next week when we talk about the Eagles big games against the Buffalo Bills. Wild Bill out.
