There are quite a few things to take away from the 49ers' losing effort at Candlestick Park against the Philadelphia Eagles. Off the top of the head, the Niners are now 0-5, and no team has ever started the season with five losses and ended up in the playoffs. The defense didn't play well and the offense didn't fare much better. Chilo Rachal, Anthony Davis, David Baas and Joe Staley all had bad games on the offensive line and even dependable veterans Joe Nedney and Frank Gore had very bad games. Nedney missed a 40-yard field goal after previously putting in from 50 yards out, while Gore coughed up two very costly fumbles.
Crabtree caught nine passes for 105 yards, both single-game highs for the second-year receiver who has yet to play a full 16-game season in the NFL. He looked fast and agile, he showed reliable hands and most importantly, was on the same page as his quarterback. He snagged a touchdown reception on the team's first offensive drive (the game-opener) and had an 11.7 yards-per-reception rating.
It's perhaps one reason why Alex Smith could keep his job as the starting quarterback going into Week 6. When asked about it, Singletary said "It's possible," that a change could be made at the position. Building some kind of connection with one of the team's highest-potential players and getting some production out of the previously invisible receiver is certainly a case for argument on the part of Smith.
He also connected well with tight end Vernon Davis, who has to feel underutilized this season. But on Sunday night, Davis caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown of his own, with a 20.8 yards-per-reception rating.