49ers vs. Eagles game thread: Red zone stops should be the difference in a close Niners win

It’s easy to come up with overreactions from week to week in the NFL, but Aaron Banks, the 49ers’ second-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft, being a healthy scratch two weeks in a row to start his career isn’t a good sign.

Then, you have Ambry Thomas. The rookie cornerback out of Michigan didn’t play football in 2020 as he opted out. He has yet to find his groove again, and that’s been the case since training camp started. Thomas is a healthy scratch, which wouldn’t be news if the 49ers were healthy in the secondary. They are not.

Here are the defensive starters for today:

LDE Arik Armstead

LDT Javon Kinlaw

RDT D.J. Jones

RDE Nick Bosa

WLB Azeez Al-Shaair

MLB Fred Warner

SLB Marcell Harris

LCB Deommodore Lenoir

SS Jaquiski Tartt

FS Jimmie Ward

RCB Josh Norman

NB K’Waun Williams

If it’s Harris starting, I like the idea of getting more speed onto the field against a fast Eagles offense.

I’m ready to see how Kinlaw affects the linebacker play. Last week, Zach Kerr played about as poorly as possible. Kinlaw is a significant upgrade. Then, once we get to passing downs, the 49ers could throw out their NASCAR package upfront that’s sure to give Jalen Hurts and Philly’s front issues.

Part of me thinks this will be a shootout. I think the 49ers’ defense will be stingy in the red zone, however. I think the 49ers win a nailbiter, 24-23.