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INDIANAPOLIS -- Alex Smith won't hold up his Sunday afternoon stat line with pride, but the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback wasn't as bad as the numbers suggested.

Smith, who completed 3 of 9 passes for 37 yards and a 7.4 rating during the 49ers' 37-17 exhibition victory over the Indianapolis Colts, did appear inaccurate with some of his throws. Turns out Smith threw the ball to its intended location on the two plays that stood out most.

Smith and tight end Vernon Davis misread one another on the play where it appeared as though Smith missed a wide-open Davis by a couple yards over the middle. Davis adjusted the end of his route in a manner Smith did not anticipate.

"We had a Cover 4 look and Vernon is really the only look there," Smith said. "He ran a great route and really nodded the guy hard and got the safety to jump outside, then went inside. It was something I hadn't anticipated, something we hadn't had a lot of work on because obviously we are not running all our stuff right now."

Smith took a five-step drop and fired the ball.

"Threw it where I wanted it," Smith said. "It was just a communication where I didn't know he was going to go through that kind of a nod move there. It's something we'll look at on film. Maybe it's a deal where he ran such a good route, maybe it's something we go to, maybe not."

Backup tight end Delanie Walker was to blame for the one interception Smith threw. The coverage was tight, but Walker had a chance at the ball, which bounced to a defensive back.

"Delanie jumped a little early and I felt he should have caught the ball," coach Mike Singletary said, "so it was just one of those things where the quarterback and the receiver have to continue to clean up and be more detailed on their routes, their decision-making."

The 49ers' backup quarterbacks put up excellent numbers against the Colts' backups. David Carr completed 9 of 11 passes for 98 yards, one touchdown and a 134.1 rating. Third-stringer Nate Davis completed 5 of 6 passes for 84 yards and a 118.8 rating.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

What in the world was 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye thinking Sunday and what does it mean for the team's immediate future on offense?

I have a much better idea after watching the 49ers-Colts game a couple times and charting offensive personnel. Ten observations:

• The 49ers were cruising along early in the game, spreading the field with two wide receivers and two tight ends with good receiving skills (Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker). They used this group 11 times in their first 13 plays before suddenly getting conservative.
• That 13th play wasn't so lucky. Alex Smith's pass bounced off Michael Crabtree's hand. Bob Sanders intercepted for the Colts. Two plays earlier, Crabtree dropped a pass. The 49ers were affirming Raye's fears about the passing game not being ready for prime time. Raye suddenly changed his thinking, replacing Walker with fullback Moran Norris for five of the next eight plays.
• Raye and coach Mike Singletary knew what they were up against. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning maximizes possessions like no quarterback in the league. Giving extra possessions to Manning is a great way to lose a game. Going conservative minimizes turnovers.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Frank Gore's 64-yard touchdown run against the Colts in Week 8 gave him five scoring runs of at least 60 yards since 2005.

No one in the NFL has more during that time, ESPN Stats & Information notes.

Adrian Peterson also has five.

Gore had a 75-yarder against the Redskins in 2005. He had a 61-yarder against the Lions in 2006. He had 79- and 80-yarders against the Seahawks this season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The facts: The 49ers fell to 3-4 with an 18-14 road defeat to the Colts in Week 8.

The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.

• Rookie receiver Michael Crabtree led the team with six receptions for 81 yards. Two games into his career, Crabtree is easily the best wide receiver on the team, in my view. He doesn't just catch the ball. He snatches it.
• Tight end Vernon Davis caught another touchdown pass, giving him an NFL-leading seven through seven games.
• Quarterback Alex Smith showed good command in his first regular-season start since 2007.
• Barry Sims played much better than anyone could have expected after replacing Joe Staley at left tackle on the 49ers' second offensive play. Sims battled Colts pass-rusher Dwight Freeney without significantly compromising the offense.
• Embattled left guard Chilo Rachal threw a key block to help spring Frank Gore's latest long touchdown run, a 64-yarder that gave the 49ers a 7-0 lead.
• The 49ers' defensive front manhandled the Colts much of the game, sacking Peyton Manning three times and making him work for everything. The Colts failed to score a touchdown on any of their four red zone possessions.
• The 49ers again showed they could hang with an elite NFL team on the road. They led the Vikings in Minneapolis with only a few seconds remaining. They led the Colts in Indianapolis after three quarters.
• Marcus Hudson made four tackles on special teams. Those tackles came after a 16-yard kickoff return and punt returns covering only 7, 4 and 7 yards.

Looking ahead: The 49ers face the Titans at home in Week 9.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers are thinking playoffs despite suffering their third consecutive defeat and falling below .500 for the first time this season. Linebacker Takeo Spikes: "I still think we're going to the playoffs. I know we're going to the playoffs. Even though we're not where we want to be right now, we're where we are for a reason."

Also from Crumpacker: Michael Crabtree as The Natural. Alex Smith on Crabtree: "Just a real natural player. Strong hands, good route running. He keeps the game for what it is. He doesn't let the game get bigger than it is."

More from Crumpacker: Brandon Jones missed six weeks after suffering a broken shoulder blade. How long might Nate Clements need to recover?

Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle says Smith took a step forward in his development despite suffering defeat in his first start of the 2009 season. Running back Michael Robinson: "He's letting it fly, just playing football like he's in the backyard. He plays well when he's relaxed and just going out and letting the ball go. ... Before, you could look at him and almost see the pressure on his back - you know what I mean, being a first-round pick and all the expectations."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers failed to finish against the Colts. Maiocco: "The 49ers managed just 87 yards passing in the second half to give the Colts all the opportunities they would need to pull out the victory. Rookie receiver Michael Crabtree, who led the 49ers with six receptions for 81 yards, lost a third-quarter fumble near midfield."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says three 49ers have suffered broken scapulas. Tony Pashos was the other. Also, left tackle Joe Staley will undergo an MRI exam Monday to determine the severity of an injury to his knee.

Dan Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says the schedule is looking up for the 49ers. Brown: "When they face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Candlestick Park, the 49ers will be looking for their first win since Oct. 4. And, they'll be looking to erase the pain of another close call against a future Hall of Fame quarterback. They have lost to (Peyton) Manning and Brett Favre this season by a combined seven points."

Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News says Smith did a better job improvising Sunday than he might have in past seasons: Purdy: "Smith's helmet radio went out. Four years ago, he might have melted down under the circumstances. But this is not four years ago. Smith signaled to the bench that the radio was out, then he coolly went into the huddle and called his own play. The pass to tight end Vernon Davis wasn't complete. But the incident -- followed by a perfect two-minute drill at the end of the first half where Smith also called all his own plays and generated a touchdown -- was indicative of how far Smith 2.0 has come."

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Clements

49ers cornerback Nate Clements suffered a broken shoulder blade against the Colts, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy.

Players sometimes return from this injury without missing the rest of the season. Much will depend on the nature of the break. If the shoulder blade broke into multiple pieces or broke off near the joint, Clements could face a more complicated rehabilitation.

The 49ers have pretty good depth at cornerback now that Shawntae Spencer is healthy and playing well.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Moral victories will not be good enough for the 49ers in their push for an NFC West title.

This performance, though in defeat, was good enough for the 49ers to use as a springboard.

Their defense rediscovered its dominance up front to a degree the Colts never could have anticipated, holding Peyton Manning without a touchdown pass for the first time in 10 games. They sacked Manning three times in three quarters, more than the Colts' previous opponents had managed all season. And the offense, though hardly consistent, occasionally fared better than expected -- particularly after a sprained knee knocked left tackle Joe Staley from the game on the 49ers' first play.

Losing Staley for any significant period of time would complicate the 49ers' efforts to keep pressure on Arizona in the division. Barry Sims appeared to fill in admirably Sunday, but his limitations might prove costly over an extended period. Staley is probably the best offensive lineman in the NFC West. The 49ers need him.

Quarterback Alex Smith again showed he can run the 2-minute offense effectively at times. That style doesn't fit the identity San Francisco set out to establish this season, but with Smith and rookie receiver Michael Crabtree in the lineup, the 49ers will need to continually reassess their approach.

The 49ers play home games against the Titans, Bears and Jaguars over the next four weeks. They played Sunday like a team that could win those games. And if that happens, the 49ers could take a 6-5 record into a two-week stretch against the Seahawks (road) and Cardinals (home).

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Alex Smith was outstanding for the 49ers as they ran their 2-minute offense toward Vernon Davis' seventh touchdown reception of the season and a 14-6 lead over the Colts.

That was the type of drive I was talking about when assessing what the 49ers would have to do to win this game.

This should be a fun second half to watch.

We know Peyton Manning will likely warm up at some point, even if the 49ers keep playing well on defense. Smith and the 49ers have shown they can also open up the offense, a very good sign for San Francisco and an unexpected one given what we knew about the 49ers' offensive line.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers will probably need to start becoming more aggressive on offense at some point here against the Colts.

Their conservative approach to this point makes sense, particularly with Barry Sims at left tackle following Joe Staley's injury.

Quarterback Alex Smith has not attempted much down the field. The 49ers can afford to play this way as long as their lead holds up (it is 7-6 now). But the Colts will presumably score some points as the game progresses.

The 49ers deserve credit for the way they have played to this point. Holding Manning to field goals deep into the second quarter is impressive. They have shut down the run and Aubrayo Franklin just sacked Manning after Manning could not find anyone open.

Impressive, indeed.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The NFC West has shown up so far in Week 8.

Embattled 49ers left guard Chilo Rachal gets credit for an effective block on Frank Gore's 64-yard touchdown run against the Colts. The 49ers lead 7-0 even though left tackle Joe Staley remains sidelined by injury. Barry Sims is playing left tackle.

In Dallas, the Seahawks got their running game going better than anticipated. The quick passing game also worked well at times as Seattle moved toward a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

Even the Rams are leading, with Josh Brown hitting a 41-yard field goal.

The Cardinals are the only NFC West team not leading at this point. And they do not kick off for a few hours.

Update: The Cowboys just scored to take a lead. Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Barry Sims is playing left tackle for the 49ers after an injury sent Joe Staley to the bench.

The 49ers' medical staff is evaluating Staley on the sideline.

Staley is the 49ers' best offensive lineman. Losing him would severely hurt the team's depth and ability up front.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

A few thoughts as NFC West games approach in Week 8:

• The 49ers need more from their offensive line. I'm not sure why the team hasn't given Tony Wragge a chance at one of the guard spots, but perhaps it is time.
• Recently benched 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill seemed reluctant to push the ball down the field, perhaps a reflection of the coaching staff's emphasis on avoiding mistakes. Alex Smith seemed more comfortable taking those chances. Smith has nothing to gain by mimicking Hill. He needs to cut loose a little bit. I expect him to play aggressively.
• Nate Clements is not finished as a starting cornerback for the 49ers. He hasn't looked right at times this season, particularly recently, and he was never a shutdown cornerback, but Clements can still be a good player, in my view.
• Kurt Warner should pay special attention to getting rid of the ball quickly early in the game against the Panthers. He basically needs to convince Carolina that its pass rush isn't going to get there no matter how well Julius Peppers and the Panthers apply pressure. Warner did this effectively in the playoff game against the Panthers last season, as I recall. Once that happens, a quarterback can take more time later in the game.
• Jake Delhomme's interceptions appear almost entirely responsible for the Panthers' struggles this season. Carolina seems to have a good offensive line. Massive turnover on the coaching staff could be hurting the Panthers, but this team shouldn't be nearly this bad. Delhomme's problems have transcended situations, but his numbers against added pressure are second-worst in the league among quarterbacks with at least 10 attempts. The numbers, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information: 22-of-47 passing for 315 yards with one touchdown, six interceptions and a 36.5 rating. Ouch. Delhomme has three touchdowns and seven interceptions against standard pressure.
• The Seahawks expected their running game to hit stride at about this part of the season, but that assumed at least some continuity on the offensive line. The constant shuffling up front will likely delay the ground game's emergence, putting additional pressure on Matt Hasselbeck to carry the offense -- a tough task for a team that seems to change left tackles every week or two.
• Nate Burleson has been the Seahawks' best wide receiver. He ranks ninth among NFL wide receivers with 157 yards after the catch, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The top eight: Wes Welker (266), Hines Ward (235), Miles Austin (225), Andre Johnson (224), DeSean Jackson (208), Santonio Holmes (206), Hakeem Nicks (173) and Roddy White (171).
• Something has to give when the Rams' weak pass offense meets the Lions' weak pass defense. Detroit has allowed 17 passing touchdowns this season. The Rams have scored only five. Opposing quarterbacks have a 117.8 rating against the Lions this season. If the Rams cannot have success against this pass defense, then what?
• The Lions' Calvin Johnson and the Rams' Steven Jackson have combined for one touchdown this season (Johnson scored it). I like both players' chances of finding the end zone in Week 8, assuming Johnson's injured knee allows him to contribute. (Update: Calvin Johnson is inactive for today's game)

I'm heading to University of Phoenix Stadium shortly to watch the early games on TV and the Panthers-Cardinals game in person. Have a great first day of November.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

What's this about the newly re-signed Tarell Brown displacing Nate Clements on a one-game basis because he matches up better against the Colts' receivers?

A few thoughts that come to mind:

• Clements has been inconsistent this season. He doesn't look comfortable out there. Is he hurt? Is his mind right? I'm not sure, but this situation strikes me as a little odd. As much as the 49ers like Brown, teams facing Peyton Manning and the Colts need all the experience they can get at cornerback.
• Clements will still play in the game, presumably. Might his playing time come at Dre Bly's expense in various nickel situations?
• Clements is 29 years old and has started 128 games since 2001. His salary jumps to $6 million in 2010 and his contract becomes prohibitive in 2011 and beyond. Those things wouldn't affect Clements' status for a game in Week 8 this season.
• I'd be surprised if this were part of some broader transition from cornerback to safety. Several 49ers fans have asked me about this. Coach Mike Singletary laughed when a reporter brought it up a couple weeks ago. I think Clements would be a few years away from that sort of move.

This one is a bit baffling from this angle and I don't have enough information to say anything definitive. Yes, Clements has been inconsistent, but he's still a good talent and a hard worker and a good teammate, by all accounts. We haven't seen the last of him as a starting corner in the NFL.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Colts have outscored the Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams by a combined 107-33 score so far this season.

That's one reason I'm not traveling to Indianapolis for the 49ers-Colts game Sunday (I'm heading to Arizona on a flight Saturday).

Nothing against the 49ers here. They've been a competitive team most of the time. I'm anxious to see Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis start a game together. It's just that the Colts have been pretty much automatic this season.

A 49ers upset would shock me, and that's no slight toward the 49ers. I just keep looking back at that Colts-Dolphins box score from Week 2. Miami held a 239-61 advantage in rushing yards -- and still lost.

NFC West teams are 0-3 against the Colts and 3-2 against the rest of the AFC South. Every NFC West teams still plays the winless Titans. The 49ers still play the Jaguars. The Seahawks and Rams play the Texans.

Good riddance, Indy.