NFL Week Five Tips

[Betfair]

Philadelphia Eagles @ San Francisco 49ers

Match Odds: Philadelphia [2.64], San Francisco [1.60]

The quarterback carousel continues to revolve in Philadelphia, with Kevin Kolb now in line to start in place of an injured Michael Vick, while 49ers fans wish there was someone on their roster worthy of forcing a QB controversy.
Kolb gets the chance as a starter again due to the injury to Vick who was only playing due to the concussion that Kolb suffered in Week One. Having been undone by one of their former stars last week in Donovan McNabb now playing for the Redskins, they will be hoping that lightning does not strike twice.

That seems unlikely as running back Brian Westbrook is only backing up the main 49ers running threat - Frank Gore. Gore has been in excellent form this year and he's needed to be with the San Francisco passing game not really firing. Gore leads the NFC in yards from scrimmage (533) and ranks second in the Conference with 29 receptions.

While the quarterbacks have been flip-flopping in Philadelphia, if the 49ers go 0-5 here we may be seeing a change at that position for San Francisco. Quarterback Alex Smith must improve as the team tries to avoid making the franchise's worst start since opening 0-7 in 1979. The 49ers already face a must-win scenario, no team since the 1992 San Diego Chargers has advanced to the playoffs after starting 0-4.

Smith knows any improvement must start with him. The first overall pick from the 2005 draft is tied for the league lead in interceptions with seven and is ranked near the bottom among all NFL quarterbacks in passer rating (66.1) and yards per attempt (6.1). He has been making critical errors.

Both coaches have struggled with their play calling and clock management this year and rarely impress me. Both teams are coming off poor performances last week and this is not a contest to get heavily involved with but Philadelphia has won four in a row overall against San Francisco, and three straight at Candlestick Park. San Francisco at a short price are a side that should be taken on either straight up or on the handicap.

Continued:
Minnesota Vikings @ New York Jets
Poor v poorer as Philly go to SF : Football : Betfair.net