The Philadelphia Eagles have struggled in the red zone over the course of their two-game losing streak. Things won't get any easier this week, as the club could be without running back Brian Westbrook when it takes on the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Candlestick Park.

The Eagles can look back to a pair of red-zone failures that have led to their slide, which has dropped them to 2-3 on the season. Two weeks ago against Chicago, when they playing without Westbrook due to an ankle injury, the Eagles were stopped late on four plays at the goal line in a 24-20 loss.

Then after having already blown a 14-0 lead versus the Washington Redskins last Sunday, the Eagles again failed to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter despite being inside the five-yard line. Westbrook was stuffed on consecutive plays and Philadelphia had to settle for a field goal and a 23-17 deficit with 7:18 to play. That ended up being the final score of the game.

Westbrook returned from his ankle injury to run for just 33 yards and a touchdown while also catching six passes for 51 yards. However, he also suffered fractured ribs early on in the contest, though he stayed in the game. He was held out of practices this week and with a bye looming, it is possible that the running back will be rested this Sunday rather than risk further injury.

With a trio of four-game winners already in the NFC East, the Eagles can't afford to fall further behind in the division. The club is a game under .500 despite high rankings in both total offense and defense.

The 49ers have also lost two in a row and have struggled both offensively and defensively. After allowing 31 points in a loss to New Orleans in Week 4, the team was again tagged on the scoreboard in a 30-21 setback to the New England Patriots.

Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan threw a career-high three touchdown passes, but was also intercepted three times against New England. He posted his second straight passer rating under 60, producing a 55.9 number versus the Patriots on the same day the 49ers retired Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young's No. 8 jersey at halftime.

San Francisco is in the midst of a very tough four-game stretch in which it has lost the first two tests of that run. After taking on the Eagles, the Niners battle the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the Big Apple on October 19.

O'Sullivan and his offensive line will first face a stiff test this weekend, as San Francisco has allowed an NFL-high 20 sacks and the Eagles are tied with Pittsburgh for the most sacks in the NFL with 18.

SERIES HISTORY

San Francisco holds a 16-9-1 lead in the all-time regular season series with Philadelphia, but have lost each of their last two meetings with the Eagles. The Birds were 38-24 winners when the teams last met, at Candlestick Park, in 2006. The Niners' most recent win in the series was a 31-28 overtime thriller in Philly in 2003. Philly is 2-0 in San Francisco since last losing there in 2001.

In addition to the regular season series, the clubs have met once in the postseason, with San Francisco earning a 14-0 victory in a 1996 NFC First- Round Playoff.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid is 3-2 against San Francisco in his career as a head coach, while San Francisco's Mike Nolan is 0-2 against both Reid and the Eagles.

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

The Eagles' offense changes dramatically when Westbrook (194 rushing yards, 14 receptions, 6 total TD) is unavailable. The playmaking running back creates mismatches no matter where he lines up, giving the offense plenty of space to operate. If Westbrook can't go, running back Correll Buckhalter (114 rushing yards, 1 TD) would likely start in his place, with Lorenzo Booker also seeing time. Quarterback Donovan McNabb could be close to getting another weapon back though, as wide receiver Kevin Curtis was able to practice in full this week. Curtis has yet to play this season due to a sports hernia. McNabb (1,296 passing yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) threw for 196 yards versus the Redskins, matching his season low for fewest passing yards in a game. He also failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this year. Wideout Reggie Brown (10 receptions) was Philly's top receiver versus Washington with four catches for 84 yards, while tight end L.J. Smith (9 receptions, 1 TD) added three receptions for 26 yards. Brown was limited in practice due to a groin ailment, while Pro Bowl offensive guard Shawn Andrews is likely to sit out with a back injury that has kept him out of the last three games. Wideout DeSean Jackson (23 receptions, 1 TD), who leads the team and all NFL rookies with 335 receiving yards, returned a punt 68 yards for a score versus the Redskins.

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