5 Things To Look For: Eagles-49ers

It's been a tough start of the season. With 2 heartbreaking losses and 2 humiliations the team is at 0-4 and will be taking on the 2-2 Eagles.

There have been some positives, and some negatives, actually a lot of negatives. From Alex Smith to Nate Clements. But all that has been discussed, what we should be talking about is what we should be looking for Sunday night.

Can Alex Smith bounce back at home?

Alex obviously played the best game of his career in prime time at home against a good defense. Well it's the same situation this week. But can he do it again? The only way he could is by playing smart football and not making stupid throws. He leads the league in interceptions which is a huge problem, obviously. Frank Gore can't carry this team to the playoffs. Alex must make good throws if he wants to win and have a job after the year.

Has the offensive line finally fixed their problems?

They have had 2 good games, and 2 bad games. For some reason, there good performances have been against two legitimate playoff teams. We'll see if they can give Alex time to throw and limit the pressure. But of course that probably won't matter if we can't get the run game going. They have to create holes and push the guys on the defensive line around. I like what I'm seeing from Anthony Davis, on numerous occasions I've seen him not give up on a play and continue to try to block someone even if it looks as if the the ball carrier is going down. He, and Mike Iupati, have improved from week 1. They are getting better and better every week. Chilo Rachal has obviously performed the worst so far. But was replaced by Adam Snyder last week.

Will Mike Johnson try to get Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree the ball more?

In the first half of the Atlanta game. He did just that. Michael Crabtree caught 4 passes for first downs. Davis had a touchdown. But they were no where to be found in the second. This needs to change. They are our best play makers in the passing game. Even Josh Morgan has had only 3 catches the last 2 weeks. If you give your play makers the ball, that's what they'll do, make plays.

Can Nate Clements continue his performance?

Minus the fumble of course. He was having a very good game. Numerous nice tackles. Good coverage, and an interception. We need him to do this against DeSean Jackson. Contain DeSean, and contain their offense. If he plays like he did Sunday more, then he will more then likely be back. But if he has a bad season and gives up too many yards and touchdowns, he won't.

Who will step up on the defense?

I don't know what happened. We were considered a top-10 defense but are now bottom 10. We have created 4 turnovers, all on interceptions. Shawntae Spencer and Clements have 2 each. But that's it. No forced fumbles. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. With guys like Patrick Willis, Dashon Goldson, and Justin Smith, that is completely unacceptable. Someone, anyone, needs to create some turnovers. But, in the secondaries defense. They have gotten no help from the pass rush. Parys Haralson, Travis LaBoy, and Willis have a total of 5 sacks. Which is good. But where are the other guys? Manny Lawson? Justin Smith? Again, someone, anyone, needs to create some pressure.

The 49ers host the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night on NBC at 5:15 pm.