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Halftime: Eagles 21 49ers 13

By Joseph Santoliquito

SANTA CLARA, CA (CBS) — It was defense and special teams that forged a 21-13 halftime lead for the Eagles against the San Francisco 49ers.

What's more the Eagles did it achieving a mere five first downs and 99 yards of total offense—and 178 return yards.

The Eagles did something that they hadn't done since Nov. 22, 1992 against the New York Giants (in a wild 47-34 Eagles' win that also featured a punt return and interception return for TDs), when they blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown—the first time in 345 games.

Malcolm Jenkins, however, did something he's been doing the last two weeks—and that's intercept another pass. This time, his career-best third pick in as many games led to a 53-yard interception return for his fourth career TD. Darren Sproles' 82-yard punt return spelled the difference in the first half for the Eagles.

The Eagles three first-quarter sacks were more than what they had the previous two games combined. That was due to the great pressure up the middle by the Eagles.

The Eagles scored first when Trey Burton made an incredible play, beating the 49ers' Dan Stuka inside and swinging his left arm around to block Andy Lee's punt in the end zone. All Brad Smith had to do was fall on it, for a 7-0 Eagles' lead with 12:19 left in the first quarter.

Colin Kaepernick turned a broken play into a 55-yard touchdown pass, when he hit a wide open Frank Gore with 14:45 left in the half. Kaepernick rolled left and drew the Eagles' defense, it seemed, with him. Gore easily shrugged off Earl Wolff's attempt to tackle him like he was flicking leaves off his shoulders.

The 49ers, who entered the game with an NFL-high 36 penalties for 303 yards, have not scored a TD in the second half this season—and not scored a point in the fourth quarter. The Niners were flagged seven times for 60 yards against the Eagles.

BOX SCORE

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