*****Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers*****

Michael Vick is out with injured ribs and the Eagles' offense is much more conservative with Kevin Kolb behind center. SF’s McCoy is expected to play despite breaking a rib in the first half of last Sunday's loss. It’s been nothing but misery so far in 2010 for the 49ers. But they seem well set to make someone else miserable this week against Philadelphia. The Eagles face a cross-country trip to meet the heavy-hitting 49ers who have done enough to beat both the Saints and the Falcons, coming up short only after leaving them just enough seconds for each to nail the winning FG at the end. HC Mike Singletary’s changes seemed to work last week, as QB Alex Smith got the ball to WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis, the defense collected three sacks and picked off Matt Ryan twice, and big rookie S Travis Mays led the team with 9 tackles and scored after a blocked punt. Kolb figures to be overwhelmed by Singletary’s defense. Philly has given up 15 sacks so far. Insiders report the San Francisco coaches and players are certain they can get back in the NFC West race if they win this game. Despite its slow start, the 49ers are only two games out in the NFC West and have seven games remaining with their division foes, including all three divisional home games. The 49ers expect to be improved on both offense and special teams. Pro Bowl C Eric Heitmann, out since the preseason with a leg fracture, has been cleared to return, improving the team's blocking at both center and guard (current center Mike Baas formerly played guard). WR/PR Ted Ginn Jr. is expected to return after missing the last three games with a knee injury. QB Kevin Kolb will be making the first road start of his career, and only his fourth overall. RB LeSean McCoy says he will try to play despite a fractured rib. The Eagles offensive line has struggled all season; Philly has given up 15 sacks, second-worst in the league behind only Chicago. Philadelphia is 26th in rushing defense. San Francisco has had one of the tougher schedules in the league through the first one-quarter of the season, playing three of its first four games on the road. S.F.'s only home loss this season has been to Super Bowl champion New Orleans on the last play. S.F. is 8-2-2 vs. the spread its last 12 games at home, including 6-2-1 as a favorite. Despite the 49ers' struggles in the passing game, running back Frank Gore has been outstanding, leading the NFC in yards from scrimmage (533) and ranking second in the conference with 29 receptions. While Brian Westbrook, who spent the last eight seasons with the Eagles, has not enjoyed a productive season backing up Gore, making just one carry in three games, Westbrook's former backup in Philadelphia, LeSean McCoy, is having a breakout year with a team-high 273 rushing yards and four Tds. Frank Gore and the S.F. rushing attack should get going early, and the 49er defense should hurry Kevin Kolb into some key errors as the 49ers get their first win and stay alive in the NFC West.