NFL: San Francisco 49ers hand first defeat of season to Philadelphia Eagles
Monday 29 September 2014 06:49, UK
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their first defeat of the NFL season as the San Francisco 49ers ground out a 26-21 win at Levi’s Stadium.
The Eagles’ normally-prolific offense sputtered for the vast majority of the contest in Santa Clara as the hosts improved to 2-2 while leaving the Eagles no longer perfect on a record of 3-1.
Philadelphia did hold a 21-13 lead at half-time as a number of defensive and special teams plays kept them out in front.
Firstly, Brad Smith recovered a blocked punt in the 49ers’ end zone for a touchdown before Malcolm Jenkins took an interception back to the house and Darren Sproles scored on an 82-yard punt return.
San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sacked four times but did manage to find Frank Gore for a 55-yard touchdown pass, while kicker Phil Dawson hit two field goals in the first half.
Kaepernick found a better rhythm after the interval and the 49ers closed to within a point when he threw a touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson.
Two more Dawson field goals then put the hosts five points ahead and the Eagles were not able to get the ball back into the end zone despite reaching first and goal in the closing stages.
Vikings success
Elsewhere, Teddy Bridgewater secured victory in his first NFL start as the Minnesota Vikings (2-2) defeated the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) 41-28 at TCF Bank Stadium.
Bridgewater did not throw any touchdown passes but managed to compile 317 passing yards from just 19 completions as well as scrambling for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Matt Asiata rushed for three touchdowns including the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons had grabbed the lead at the end of the third period as Devin Hester caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan before Antone Smith streaked clear for a 48-yeard scoring run.
But Bridgewater led a 78-yard touchdown drive before injuring himself after a successful two-point conversion. However, Blair Walsh subsequently kicked two field goals to put the home side out of sight.
The San Diego Chargers (3-1) produced a dominant second half performance to clinch a comfortable 33-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) at Qualcomm Stadium.
Philip Rivers easily dissected the ailing Jaguars defence, compiling 377 passing yards and throwing three touchdowns, two of which went to Eddie Royal.
Royal tallied 105 receiving yards but still did not emerge as the top wideout as Keenan Allen snagged 10 catches for 135 yards. Malcom Floyd also caught a touchdown pass and Nick Novak kicked four field goals.
Jacksonville’s rookie quarterback Blake Bortles made a good start to his first full NFL game but two interceptions in the second half prevented him from mounting a comeback.
