Matthew Barrows: 49ers can't finish vs. the best teams

INDIANAPOLIS – Flawless. That was the word the 49ers preached all week as they prepared for the undefeated Colts. They would have to play mistake-free football to hand Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney their first loss of the season. They didn't. As was the case earlier this season in Minneapolis, the 49ers were tougher and hungrier and leading late in the second half. But in falling 18-14 Sunday, they continue to be the gutsy young track runner who comes close to winning the race but can't quite make it over that final hurdle. That kid gets a nice, warm ovation at the end of the race. But he walks away with a skinned knee instead of a shiny trophy. The 49ers are definitely bleeding. In addition to losing their third consecutive game and falling under .500 for the first time this season, starting left tackle Joe Staley was lost for the game on the first offensive play and Nate Clements, who entered the season billed as the 49ers' top co...