BALTIMORE -- Long ago, the San Francisco 49ers moved past the point of claiming any moral victories.
Sunday's narrow 20-17 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens will undoubtedly sting as the Niners relocate and regroup in Florida this week. And it should, as San Francisco had many chances to steal a stunning road win against the league's hottest team.
That they come up short should be no consolation for a team that has firmly established itself as a real contender to maybe meet these Ravens again in the Super Bowl.