It is going to be cold and nasty in Philly tomorrow as the game has already been moved back to a 4 o’clock start because of the weather.  This game sets up for the team that can run the ball better and that should be the Niners.  The Niners will likely feed the ball to Frank Gore early in the game and see how it goes against a Eagles’ D that is only allowing 101.5 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.  The biggest advantage the 49ers will likely have in this game is TE Vernon Davis against the Eagles’ safeties.  Still, the Niners will have to give Alex Smith time to throw the ball against a Eagles’ D that blitzes early and often as they have 36 sacks already this year.  The Eagles allow 218.6 yards passing per game this season but they also have picked off 20 passes so Alex Smith better be careful with the football tomorrow. 

The cold weather could help the Niners short circuit the deep passing game of the Eagles which is their strength on offense.  49ers’ inside linebacker Patrick Willis will likely try to smack Lesean McCoy around as he is probably the hardest hitting LB in the NFL.  McCoy and TE Brent Celek might be the players targeted in the passing game the most by Donovan McNabb with the weather likely to be nasty.  Still, the Niners can’t cheat up too much or McNabb will still take some shots over the top to WR Desean Jackson.

PREDICTION:  EAGLES 24, 49ERS 21