What Philadelphia Eagles Need To Beat San Francisco 49ers on Sunday

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The Eagles played poorly last week against the Redskins. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows it. When Michael Vick went out with the rib injury, the Eagles offense just could not get anything going. Kevin Kolb may be the future of the Eagles, but he just does not possess the skill or experience yet to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. Without Michael Vick, it could potentially be a long couple weeks for the Eagles.

Offensive Line Needs To Give Kolb Time To Throw

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Against the Redskins, Kevin Kolb had no time to throw the ball with the performance of the offensive line. Unlike Vick, Kolb is a pocket passer and not a dual-threat quarterback. Vick can escape the pressure with his legs, but Kolb does not have the speed and relies on the big boys up front to give him time to throw.

We all know what Kolb can do when he has time to throw. Last season in two starts, Kolb threw for 718 yards and four touchdowns. If Kolb has time to throw, he can be dangerous and put up big numbers for the Eagles offense.

Defense Needs To Contain Vernon Davis

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Vernon Davis is just a beast. Last season, he caught 13 touchdowns, leading the league for tight ends. He possessed great speed and great hands to have a big day against the Eagles D. The Eagles need to stop Davis because 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is a mediocre quarterback at best.

If the Eagles can contain the passing game by shutting down the Niners' best receiver, they can turn them into a one-dimensional team. If the Eagles can make the 49ers a one-dimensional team, they will have much more success stopping Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore.

The Eagles know that Gore will get his 100 yards, but if they can make sure Davis does not have a big game to add on to Gore's 100 yards, then they can shut down the Niners offense.

LeSean McCoy Needs To Have a Big Game

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Against the Detroit Lions, LeSean McCoy ran for 120 yards and three TDs and the offense soared to put up 35 points. I know it is the Lions, but if McCoy can have success running the ball, then the Eagles can open up their passing game with Kolb. This also goes back to the offensive line needing to block well for McCoy to be able to find open holes.

If McCoy can help open up the passing game, the Eagles could break the game with big play threats DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. If McCoy can find the holes this week, the Eagles offense could potentially put up some big numbers this week.

Coaching

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Last week against the Redskins, the Eagles had the ball on the one-yard line where there was a challenge to see if they had scored a touchdown. After the challenge was over and the referee had determined that the Eagles did not score, the ref put the ball on the one and the play clock started running.

Eventually, the Eagles got a delay of game. Now, how is it possible to get a delay of game after a five-minute challenge delay? The Eagles were then forced to kick a field goal and lost four points which could have been crucial for later in the game.

This happens to the Eagles all of the time, when the Eagles have 20 yards to go on the last play of the game, they run a 19-yard pass and lose the game because they did not even run a play that gave them a chance. If the Eagles want to contend in any game, Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg have to do a better job of managing the play calling and play clock.