San Francisco 49ers Lose MNF Battle With New Orleans Saints, Win Respect

49ers win! 49ers win! 49ers win!

Well, that's where the article would have been going had the San Francisco 49ers eked out the win Monday night. The story might have delved into the crazy conspiracy theory that they had been playing possum against the Seahawks the week before.

No, the reality is far more simple than that: The 49ers are a work in progress, and that work is progressing.

A young, physical team will age well, whether it's over the course of a game, a season, or a dynasty. Monday night's game, albeit a loss, allowed the 49ers to flash their true colors in a positive light. Unlike the Seattle fiasco, there's a healthy amount of favorable accomplishments upon which to look.