Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Peyton Manning threw for 347 yards and the Indianapolis Colts beat the 49ers 18-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Manning was 31-of-48 with no touchdowns or interceptions. Reggie Wayne caught nine for 100. Frank Gore ran for 91 and a touchdown. Alex Smith threw for 198 and a touchdown to Michael Crabtree (Crabtree's first NFL TD) but added an interception. Joe Nedney missed a 51-yard field goal late. The 49ers fell to 3-4.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Peyton Manning went 31-of-48 for 347 yards Sunday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Colts only managed 18 points. The 49ers' defense forced the perfect Indianapolis Colts into field-goal attempts and kept the game competitive into the fourth quarter. The 49ers lost 18-14.
Michael Crabtree caught his first NFL touchdown. Frank Gore ran for 91 and a touchdown. Alex Smith threw for 198 in his first start since 2007 and produced the kind of throwing-game competitiveness against the league's best defense that the team needed. Joe Nedney missed a 51-yard field goal late that would have made it a one-score game in another way.
3-4. The kind of cross-conference road loss that, against the league's only undefeated team, was the kind of close-game competitive performance the 49ers' early-season identity actually held up against. Singletary postgame credited the defense for forcing Manning into field goals. The Tennessee Titans at home next Sunday in a Sunday game. The kind of competitive loss the season's standings will eventually let the team forgive.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Colts 18, 49ers 14. Margin: -4. Seven-game record: 3-4, +7 differential.
* Peyton Manning: 31-of-48 for 347, 0 TD, 0 INTs.
* Reggie Wayne: 9 catches for 100.
* Alex Smith: 19-of-32 for 198, 1 TD (to Crabtree), 1 INT, 74.7 rating (first start since 2007).
* Michael Crabtree: first NFL TD.
* Frank Gore: 13 carries for 91, 1 TD.
* Joseph Addai: 20 carries for 62.
* Joe Nedney: missed 51y FG late.
* 49ers 3-4; Colts 7-0.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
An 18-14 road loss to the undefeated Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The 49ers fall to 3-4.
How it unfolded
Indianapolis kicked field goals on its first two drives to take a 6-0 lead. The 49ers answered with a Frank Gore short touchdown run to make it 7-6. The Colts added a third field goal to take a 9-7 lead. The second quarter was a Manning-led drive that ended on another field goal to push the Colts up 12-7. Smith hit Crabtree on a touchdown to make it 14-12 in the third quarter. The Colts answered with two more field goals to push the lead to 18-14. Joe Nedney missed a 51-yard attempt that would have brought the 49ers within one. The Colts ran out the clock.
The turning point
Nedney's missed 51-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. With the 49ers down 18-14 and the kick from beyond his usual range, the miss eliminated the field-goal scenario that would have put the team in striking distance of a touchdown drive.
By the numbers
Smith 198 passing on 32 attempts with a TD and an INT. Crabtree the first NFL TD reception. Frank Gore 91 rushing on 13 carries with a TD. Davis 1 catch for 14. Manning 347 passing on 48 attempts with no TDs or INTs. Wayne 100 receiving on 9 catches. Joseph Addai 62 rushing.
Personnel watch
Alex Smith in his first start since 2007. Michael Crabtree's first NFL touchdown. Frank Gore back to full lead back work and producing his touchdown. The defense holding Manning to no touchdowns and forcing six field-goal attempts (four made).
What it means
3-4 with the Titans at home next Sunday. The kind of road loss that, against the league's only undefeated team, was the season's most credible defensive performance. The kind of game where the box score is close enough that the loss does not change the team's competitive arc.
