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Eagles, 49ers both trying to avoid third straight loss

Oct 9, 2008 - 12:48 PM Philadelphia (2-3) at San Francisco (2-3), 4:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers have identical records and have lost their previous two contests. But they are hardly in the same place.

The Eagles, who could be without star running back Brian Westbrook for an extended time, are looking to stay afloat in an ultra-competitive NFC East when they visit the 49ers on Sunday.

Despite back-to-back losses, San Francisco owns the second-best record in the NFC West and sits just one game behind the division-leading Arizona Cardinals.

Philadelphia is coming off a pair of heartbreaking losses.

After failing to score on four opportunities from the 1-yard-line in a 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears two weeks ago, the Eagles squandered an early 14-point lead during last Sunday's 23-17 loss to the rival Washington Redskins.

If that wasn't bad enough, the injury news regarding Westbrook has made things worse. Eagles coach Andy Reid announced Monday that Westbrook fractured two ribs in the loss.

It has not been determined how much time the Pro Bowler will miss, although Westbrook insisted he will play.

"We'll see how things go here the next few days," Reid said. "Right now he's very sore."

Westbrook, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, already has scored six touchdowns this year.

Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan had an up-and-down performance during last Sunday's 30-21 loss to the New England Patriots. O'Sullivan was 14-for-29 for 130 yards and three touchdown passes, but the first-year starter also threw three interceptions.

San Francisco could not manage a first down in the second and third quarters, going three-and-out four times and having a fifth drive end in an interception.

"Defensively we couldn't stay off the field and offensively we couldn't stay on the field," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "That was pretty much it. There just wasn't one thing."