49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns and the Indianapolis Colts beat the 49ers 27-7 at Candlestick Park. Reggie Wayne caught a touchdown. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 95 yards and a touchdown. Colin Kaepernick threw for 150 yards with one interception. Frank Gore ran for 82. The 49ers' lone score was a Kendall Hunter touchdown. The 49ers fell to 1-2 in their worst home loss in years.[1][2][3]

Andrew Luck and the Colts beat the 49ers 27-7 Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park. The kind of home loss to an AFC opponent that, after the Seahawks primetime blowout, has the championship-window team's competitive identity in active question for the first time since the 2010 pre-Harbaugh era.

Colin Kaepernick threw for 150 yards with one interception. Frank Gore ran for 82. Anquan Boldin caught seven for 99. Kendall Hunter ran in a goal-line touchdown for the 49ers' lone score. The kind of Sunday-afternoon home loss where the offense produced 7 points and the defense gave up 27.

Andrew Luck threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Reggie Wayne caught a touchdown. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Colts' defense generated two sacks. The kind of Sunday-afternoon home loss where the championship-window team's competitive identity, in three weeks, fell from opener favorite to active-questioning territory. 1-2 with the Rams in the Thursday-night divisional rematch next week.

Colts 27, 49ers 7. Margin: -20. Three-game record: 1-2, -40 differential.

• Andrew Luck: 18-of-27 for 164, 2 TDs.
• Reggie Wayne: 1 TD.
• Ahmad Bradshaw: 19 carries for 95, 1 TD.
• T.Y. Hilton: 1 TD.
• Colin Kaepernick: 13-of-27 for 150, 1 INT.
• Frank Gore: 20 carries for 82.
• Kendall Hunter: 1 rushing TD.
• Anquan Boldin: 7 catches for 99.
• Worst home loss of Harbaugh era.
• 49ers 1-2; Colts 2-1.

A 27-7 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park. The 49ers fall to 1-2.

How it unfolded

The Colts kicked a field goal. The 49ers answered with a Kendall Hunter rushing touchdown. Luck threw a touchdown to T.Y. Hilton to give the Colts a 10-7 lead. Bradshaw ran in a touchdown. Adam Vinatieri kicked another field goal. The Colts led 20-7 at halftime. The second half was a Luck touchdown to Reggie Wayne. The Colts added another field goal. The 49ers' offense produced nothing in the second half.

The turning point

Luck's first-half touchdown to T.Y. Hilton. With the 49ers having taken a 7-3 lead and the home crowd back in the game after the Seahawks primetime road blowout, Luck's answering touchdown drive pushed the Colts back ahead and the rest of the day was a road comfortable win for the AFC opponent.

By the numbers

Kaepernick 13-of-27 for 150 with one INT. Gore 20 carries for 82. Boldin 7 catches for 99. Hunter 6 carries for 26 with a TD. Andrew Luck 18-of-27 for 164 with two TDs. Bradshaw 19 carries for 95 with a TD.

Personnel watch

Kaepernick's third straight game without finding the offensive rhythm of the opener. Gore's 82 yards. The defense gave up 27 points and produced one sack. The kind of Sunday-afternoon home performance where the championship-window team's competitive identity, in two weeks, has fallen from the opener's high to the kind of mid-conference position the year's preseason had not projected.

What it means

1-2 with the Rams on Thursday night next at home. The Sunday-afternoon home loss to an AFC opponent is the kind of result that has the championship-window team's competitive trajectory in active question. The Rams Thursday-night rematch is a must-win to reset the season.