Game Preview: 49ers head to Indy to face fading Colts
Both teams will be fighting for playoff position in Monday Night Showdown.
Coming off of their fourth consecutive win at home against the Tennessee Titans, the 49ers now travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Monday Night Football. In a matchup of teams seemingly headed in much different directions, the Colts are fighting for their playoff lives having lost five of their last six games after a Daniel Jones led 7-1 start to the season. With Jones now out for the remainder of the season, the Colts have turned to 45-year-old Philip Rivers to lead their offense that will be heavily powered by RB Jonathan Taylor.
The 49ers are on the opposite end of the playoff spectrum, needing only a win or Lions loss to clinch a postseason berth. The Seattle Seahawks victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday also gave the 49ers new life in their chase for a division title, and possible number one seed in the NFC, as they now control their own destiny and can achieve both by winning the remainder of their games.
In 46 matchups between these two teams the Colts hold a 27-19 advantage and have won the last five matchups dating back to November 2001.
Injury Report
All eyes are on the PCL of Ricky Pearsall as he reaggravated it in Sunday’s win against the Titans. If Pearsall is unable to practice and play on Monday, the 49ers should turn to Kendrick Bourne to fill that void, along with Demarcus Robinson and possibly rookie Jordan Watkins.
49ers
LB Tatum Bethune (Ankle - Limited)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (Ankle - Limited)
LB Nick Martin (Concussion - DNP)
G Spencer Burford (Knee/Ankle - DNP)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Hamstring - Limited)
CB Renardo Green (Neck - Limited)
DT Jordan Elliott (Knee - DNP)
Colts
CB Sauce Gardner (Calf - DNP)
WR Alec Pierce (Achilles - Limited)
T Bernhard Raimann (Elbow - DNP0
Matchups to Watch
49ers Defensive Line vs Jonathan Taylor
While QB Daniel Jones has received much well-deserved attention for his play for the Colts prior to his injury, Taylor has been the heartbeat of this Colts offense. Taylor has rushed for 1,443 yards and 16 touchdowns with another 318 yards and two touchdowns receiving. The young 49ers defensive front will have their hands full in slowing Taylor to force the newly signed Rivers to throw and beat them in the passing game.
Christian McCaffrey vs DeForest Buckner
In the past couple of games, McCaffrey has struggled to really open up the run game. Against a Colts front led by former 49er DeForest Buckner, McCaffrey is going to be tested again. The Colts rank fifth in the NFL this season in run defense, allowing only 95 yards per game on the ground while giving up 13 touchdowns. If CMC can get going that would benefit QB Brock Purdy and the passing game considerably.
Brock Purdy vs. the Colts Secondary
While the Colts are very strong stopping the run, their pass defense is a very different story. The Colts are the 31st ranked pass defense, giving up an average of 247.6 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air. As the 49ers offensive scheme has been heavily in play action and moving pockets in recent weeks, Purdy should look to take advantage of matchups with George Kittle and Jauan Jennings to push the field down the field.
The 49ers Win, IF…
If the 49ers defense can bottle up Jonathan Taylor and force Rivers to push the ball down the field, the 49ers should be able to dictate the pace of the game defensively. Offensively, the 49ers need to protect the ball and get CMC and company in long scoring drives to control the clock.
The Colts Win, IF…
If Taylor starts hitting explosive plays and the 49ers defense is unable to contain him, it could be a very long night for Robert Saleh’s unit. If the Colts defensive line is able to disrupt the 49ers rhythm on offense and force Purdy into mistakes, that would give Indianapolis the chance to wear down an already thin 49ers defense.
Final Thoughts, Spread, and Prediction
Coming in as six-point road favorites, the bettors are with the 49ers. Both teams will be fighting to stay in the playoff race as a loss for either team will almost certainly eliminate them from a chance at winning a division title. With the 49ers in control of their own destiny, I expect a very focused effort to keep their hopes of an NFC West title alive.
Brock Purdy has played some of his best football over the last two weeks and looks like he is having more fun on the field than in years past. I expect that to continue as the 49ers will gift the Faithful a fifth straight victory to celebrate on Christmas morning.
Prediction: 49ers 31, Colts 20