The score at the time was 6-3. The 49ers just went ahead with another field goal by Jose Cortez. But on the ensuing kickoff, Cortez kicks the ball out of bounds, giving the Birds and Donovan McNabb excellent field position late in the 3rd quarter at their own 40 yard line. McNabb led the Eagles methodically down the field, with the big play resulting in a Duce Staley pass for 46 yards. The play setup the Eagles first and goal from the 9 yard line. First play from the 9 was a short pass to James Thrash who was tackled on the one. This set up second and goal on the 1. Three plays later and no touchdown, the Niners were flagged for holding on 4th down. Now it was first and goal from the one yard line. All the eagles had to do was use the old quarterback sneak for a sure 1 yard gain and a 10-6 lead. On first down, Duce ran right for no gain. Then he attempted to dive over the pile for no gain. On third down, McNabb was intercepted in the end zone by 49ers linebacker Derek Smith. The play sealed the Eagles fate for the game.

Though there was still over nine minutes left, the 49ers were helped out by an untimely 34-yard pass interference penalty by Al Harris on Tyrell Owens. It was unnecessary and it happened on 3rd and 9 from the Niners own 21 yard line. The result should of given the Eagles the ball back with one more shot at redemption. Five playes later, Jeff Garcia found Owens wide open as beat Bobby Taylor badly on a 32-yard touchdown pass. the score read 13-3 with only 6:52 left. The Eagles never amounted much after those disheartening sequences that left the Eagles without a touchdown and gave the 49ers the only touchdown of the game. So close, but also so far away. It reminded me of another sequence of plays back in 1992. That time, the Eagles were in the lead 7-3. the opponent was the Arizona Cardinals. The game was about halfway through the 4th quarter and the Cards had the ball first and goal on the 1 yard line. What happened next will forever live in Eagles lore. The Eagles vaunted defense led by the Reggie White stopped the Cards in their tracks on nine straight plays from the 1 yard line. Not even 2 pass interferences could help Arizona get a touchdown on the day. The Eagles stopped them cold and won 7-3.

On the whole, the Eagles outplayed the 49ers. The Eagles outgained the Niners 292 to 244 in total yardage. McNabb was 23 for 34 and 232 yards, while Jeff Garcia was only 14 for 24 and 136 yards. The Eagles defense played great most of the day. Take away those 2 big plays, the pass interference and the only touchdown play and San Francisco would of only had a 6-3 lead late in the 4th. Again, the Eagles running game bogged down with Staley only rushing for 35 yards on 15 carries. Well, next up is the New York Giants at the Vet on Sunday. The Eagles could still win the division even if they lost as long as they beat Tampa next week or the Giants lose against Green Bay. Believe it or not, the Eagles still could get a bye by beating both the Giants and Bucs, while the Bears must lose their last 2 and the Pack split their last 2 games. Philly, Chicago and Green Bay would all finish 11-5. First the Bears and Packers must take care of tiebreakers. Green Bay would win the Central Division with their two victories over Chicago this year. Chicago would be a wild card. But Philadelphia holds the tiebreaker on Green Bay with a better common opponent record, thus the Eagles would have the other bye. St. Louis would have the other and home field advantage with only 1 more win. San Francisco's only hope is to win their last 2 games and have the Rams lose their last 2 games. Probally won't happen. The Niners will most likely be a wild card team.