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 Gore provided another example Sunday of his importance to the
team, rushing for 119 yards on 24 carries and catching a 55-yard
touchdown pass in the 49ers' 26-21 victory over the Philadelphia
Eagles at Levi's Stadium.
Gore's big day came a week after he carried only six times for 10
yards in a 23-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
"It's who we are, and I'm happy to be back to that," 49ers offensive
guard Alex Boone said of San Francisco re-establishing the ground
game. "That is our identity, and we need to run the ball like that
every week."
Gore was frustrated after the 49ers' loss to Arizona, but after
running wild against Philadelphia, he said he just wants to win.
"I just think as a team we've got so many weapons," Gore said.
"We're going to do whatever it takes."
The 49ers (2-2) showcased their weapons on both sides of the ball
Sunday as they avoided their first three-game losing streak under
coach Jim Harbaugh and handed Philadelphia (3-1) its first loss of
the season.
San Francisco gave up three touchdowns, but not one of those was
scored by Eagles coach Chip Kelly's high-tempo, big-play offense.
"The defense turned in a real gem," Harbaugh said.
The 49ers outgained the Eagles 407 yards to 213 and dominated the
time of possession battle, 42:17 to 17:43.
"That's definitely a test, that tempo of offense," 49ers safety Eric
Reid said. "That was a big key for us, to make sure we were all on
the same page."
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed 17 of 30 passes
for 218 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles completed 21 of 42 passes for 195
yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. Running back LeSean
McCoy carried 10 times for 17 yards.
"They out-executed us and beat us on offense," Foles said. "It's as
simple as that. Early, I have to hit some passes to really get the
chains moving for us, and then as an offense we can't go to
second-and-long."
The Eagles built a 21-13 halftime lead on the strength of two
special teams touchdowns and safety Malcolm Jenkins' 53-yard
interception return for a score.
The Philadelphia touchdown came when tight end Trey Burton blocked
Andy Lee's punt, and wide receiver Brad Smith recovered in the end
zone early in the first quarter. The Eagles' Darren Sproles returned
a punt a career-long 82 yards for a score midway through the second
quarter.
After Smith gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 12:19 left in the first
quarter, the 49ers answered with Phil Dawson's 29-yard field goal
late in the first.
The 49ers grabbed a 10-7 lead when Kaepernick and Gore hooked up for
a 55-yard touchdown. Under pressure, Kaepernick rolled to his left
then winged an off-balance pass to a wide-open Gore at the Eagles'
43 along the right sideline. Gore stiffed-armed safety Early Wolff
and raced into the end zone for the longest reception of his career.
"That was just Kap," Gore said. "He did a great job running around,
keeping his eyes downfield."
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The 49ers capitalized on a Philadelphia turnover and scored with
8:06 left in the third quarter on Kaepernick's 12-yard touchdown
pass to Stevie Johnson -- San Francisco's first second-half
touchdown of the season -- cutting Philadelphia's lead to 21-20.
Johnson's touchdown was set up when 49ers safety Antoine Bethea
forced a fumble by Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, and San Francisco
cornerback Perrish Cox recovered at Philadelphia's 23.
Dawson put the 49ers ahead 23-21 with a 46-yard field goal with 3:33
remaining in the third quarter. Dawson increased San Francisco's
lead to 26-21 with a 31-yard field goal with 6:35 left in the game,
capping a 10-play, 46-yard drive that stalled at the Eagles' 12.
Trailing 26-21, the Eagles took over on their 10 with 6:27 left to
play and put together their best drive of the game, but San
Francisco came up with a goal-line stand, stopping Philadelphia at
the 1-yard line on downs.
Foles completed passes of 11 yards and 15 yards to wide receiver
Jeremy Maclin, moving to Eagles to their 40. Foles hit Maclin for 11
yards and Ertz for 14, giving Philadelphia a first down at the San
Francisco 35. Foles' 22-yard pass to Maclin, who made a one-handed
catch, gave the Eagles a first down at the 17, and tight end Jordan
Matthews' 11-yard catch made it first-and-goal from the 6.
After Foles threw incomplete on first down, McCoy gained 5 yards to
the 1. On third down, a blitzing Bethea forced an incomplete pass to
tight end Brent Celek. On fourth down, outside linebacker Aaron
Lynch pressured Foles, who threw incomplete to a well-covered
Maclin.
"It's tough," Ertz said. "We pride ourselves on being able to finish
each game. We did it the first three games this season. We have to
take our hats off to the San Francisco 49ers. They did a great job
defensively."
NOTES: San Francisco RT Anthony Davis was active and started for the
first time this season after missing the first three games with an
ankle injury. However, he hurt his left knee late in the first
quarter, exited the game and didn't return. ... 49ers TE Vernon
Davis returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with an
ankle injury, but he sustained a back injury early in the second
half, left the game and didn't return. ... Eagles backup CB Brandon
Boykin (right hamstring) left the game late in the first quarter.
... Injured C Jason Kelce (hernia) was inactive for the Eagles, and
backup David Molk started in his place. ... Eagles LG Dennis Kelly
started at right guard, and RG Todd Herremans started at right
tackle, replacing Andrew Gardner. ... Eagles starting ILB Mychal
Kendricks (calf) was inactive. ... San Francisco starting CB
Tramaine Brock (toe) was inactive for the third consecutive game.
Perrish Cox again started in his place.
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