The 49ers secondary draws the tough task of containing the Eagles' passing attack. The defense is ranked seventh in the NFC by allowing just 215.6 passing yards per game, while the team's seven interceptions are third in the conference. San Francisco held a Tom Brady-less Patriots offense to 233 net passing yards last weekend, while linebacker Takeo Spikes (33 tackles, 2 INT) and corner Nate Clements (19 tackles) each picked off a pass. Spikes, who started 14 games with the Eagles last year before being let go this past offseason, added 14 tackles in the loss, while linebacker and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis (46 tackles, 1 INT) posted 18 stops and a sack. Former Eagle safety Michael Lewis (35 tackles, 1 sack) added eight tackles versus New England, which was sacked by the 49ers five times. In addition to Willis, defensive ends Ray McDonald (17 tackles), Isaac Sopoaga (17 tackles) and Justin Smith (28 tackles, 3 sacks) each had a sack. Linebacker Manny Lawson, meanwhile, missed the New England game due to a hamstring ailment and is unlikely to play this weekend. The former first-round pick missed all but two games last year because of a torn ACL.

WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL

O'Sullivan (1,092 passing yards, 7 TD, 6 INT) has begun to come back down to earth after a solid start. He threw for just 130 yards against New England and has thrown five of his six interceptions this year over the last two games. The Niners continue to rely on running back Frank Gore (180 rushing yards, 19 receptions, 4 total TD) to keep them in games. Like Westbrook, Gore gets it done on both the ground and through the air, as the back leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 603. He hauled in four passes for 24 yards and a score in Sunday's loss, while adding 54 rushing yards. The Miami-Florida product leads the club in both rushing and receptions. It is 35-year-old Isaac Bruce, though, that is the club's leader in receiving yards. Bruce (14 receptions, 4 TD) had three catches for 49 yards versus New England and caught two touchdown passes, his first multi-TD game as a member of San Francisco and the 13th of his career. The former longtime St. Louis Ram has hauled in a scoring pass in three straight games. Wideout Bryant Johnson (13 receptions, 1 TD) added three catches for 27 yards against the Pats, while starting tight end Vernon Davis has been held to just five catches all year and two over his last four games. He failed to post a catch versus New England.

The Eagles possess one of the top defenses in the conference, though they do have some injury concerns. The club is ranked fifth in the NFC in points allowed per game (19.4), third in both total yards allowed (274.0) and passing yards allowed (190.4) and fourth in rushing defense at 83.6 yards allowed per game. The club's rabid pass rush has helped those numbers, while Philly has also forced an NFC-high tying six fumbles this year. The 49ers know that all too well, as Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson had two fumble recoveries the last time these two clubs met, with the former first-round pick taking one a franchise-record 98 yards to the end zone. Patterson (16 tackles) had a team-high tying 10 tackles in the loss to the Redskins last weekend, as did linebacker Stewart Bradley (33 tackles, 1 sack). Safety Brian Dawkins (25 tackles, 2 sacks) had eight tackles and a sack, becoming the fifth defensive back in NFL history with 20 career sacks. However, the defensive unit, which allowed the Redskins to post 388 total yards, could be minus defensive end Juqua Parker (knee) and safety J.R. Reed (ankle/hamstring). Both players are considered questionable after failing to practice early in the week. Parker (14 tackles, 3.5 sacks) is tied for seventh in the NFC in sacks.

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