Part of me wanted a loss mid-season for the reasons you stated Montana, thus I agree with much of what you said.
However, to act as if this is the team's first wake up call is just not accurate.
The team nearly lost/went to OT vs. the Vikes, Chargers, Saints, and Giants and has had their defensive inadequacies, most notably no pass rush, below avg. M-LB play, and sieve-like pass coverage on display all year long.
I'm not at all worried about the offense, about 5 mainstays out and uncharacteristic drops, Sunday was an anomoly we won't see again this year. The defense however, save for some OK performances against below-avg teams, has yet to demonstrate that they can be called upon to win a game if the offense ever struggles, wake-up call or not.