The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a defeat to a bitter rival, lost their starting quarterback and running back to injuries, and have to fly cross country for this week's game.
Think the Eagles have it bad? That doesn't compare to the San Francisco 49ers, who will host Philadelphia on Sunday night in search of their first victory.
Not much has gone right in what had been expected to be a promising season for the 49ers (0-4). A trendy pick to win the NFC West, San Francisco is averaged just 13 points per game - the second-lowest total in the league.
And the Niners have already switched offensive coordinators after head coach Mike Singletary dismissed Jimmy Raye following a dismal performance in Week 3.
The low point of the season, though, came in the waning moments in last week's matchup at Atlanta, where the Niners let a certain victory slip through their fingers - the fingers of cornerback Nate Clements to be specific.
With San Francisco trying to protect a one-point lead in the final 90 seconds, Clements intercepted a pass and brought it back 39 yards, only to have it knocked loose from him on the return.
The Falcons recovered at their own 7-yard line and promptly moved downfield for the winning score, a 43-yard field goal by Matt Bryant with two seconds to play that sent the 49ers to a crushing 16-14 defeat.
It was the second loss absorbed by the Niners on a last-second field goal. They also fell to defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans in Week 2 in their only home game thus far.
Quarterback Alex Smith needs to cut down on his turnovers. He has thrown for an average of 230 yards per game, but has just three touchdown tosses against seven interceptions.
Running back Frank Gore should get a heavy workload against an Eagles defense that is ranked 27th in the league against the rush, surrendering 139 yards per game. Gore also has 29 receptions for 263 yards, both team highs.
The Eagles (2-2) were having no problems offensively until quarterback Michael Vick absorbed a jarring hit at the goal line in the first quarter and was knocked out of the game in last week’s 17-12 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Vick suffered a rib cartilage injury and is not expected to play Sunday. He was leading the NFC with a 108.8 passer rating and the Eagles are second in the NFC in scoring with 95 points despite last week’s 12-point output.
Kevin Kolb, the opening-week starter who lost his job to Vick after suffering a concussion in Week 1, struggled to get the offense moving last week. He finished 22 of 35 for 201 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Running back LeSean McCoy had 10 receptions for 112 yards, but he suffered a crack rib in the game and his status is in doubt for Sunday’s game.
Kolb might be wise to target wideout DeSean Jackson, who had six receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown in a 27-13 win over the 49ers last season.
Philadelphia has won the last four meetings with San Francisco, which is looking to avoid going 0-5 for the first time since 1979.