SAN FRANCISCO — While the Philadelphia Eagles came together just fine behind Kevin Kolb, the San Francisco 49ers appeared to be coming apart at the seams until Alex Smith led a thrilling fourth-quarter rally that fell just short.
Kolb passed for 253 yards while capably filling in for the injured Michael Vick, and Quintin Mikell returned Smith’s fumble 52 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ 27-24 victory over the winless 49ers on Sunday night.
LeSean McCoy rushed for 92 yards and a score, and Trevard Lindley made a last-minute interception for the Eagles (3-2), who forced five turnovers and survived San Francisco’s 14-point surge in the final minutes for their fifth straight win over the 49ers (0-5).
“We just tried to stick with our game plan and do what we do,” Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson said. “Kolb came in and did a great job in place of Vick. That finish scared me a little bit, but I’m glad the troops stayed together.”
Smith passed for 309 yards, but also committed three turnovers that led to thunderous boos from the Candlestick Park crowd and an apparent tongue-lashing from coach Mike Singletary. Smith shook it off and defiantly led two fourth-quarter scoring drives.
After throwing TD passes to Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, Smith got the 49ers past midfield again in the final minute, but he was hit by Trevor Laws while making a throw. Lindley intercepted the wobbling pass with 28 seconds to play, and the 49ers dropped to their worst start in 31 years.
“We knew they were going to come out with a give-it-all-they’ve-got mentality,” Kolb said. “We wanted to match them in intensity from the start.”
