Colts Drop Fifth Straight: Studs and Duds from a Rough Monday Night in San Francisco
The Indianapolis Colts came into Monday night desperately needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Instead, they walked away with their fifth straight loss-this time at the hands of a 49ers team that looked every bit the juggernaut many expected them to be.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from a tough night for Indy, highlighting the few bright spots and the glaring issues that continue to plague this team down the stretch.
Stud: QB Philip Rivers - Still Slinging
In a game where the Colts’ defense couldn’t buy a stop, Philip Rivers did what he could to keep Indy in the fight. He finished the night 23-of-35 for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one late interception that came as the Colts were trying to claw their way back.
What stood out, though, wasn’t just the stat line. Rivers was in full command of the offense pre-snap-making adjustments, reading the defense, and getting the Colts into favorable looks. The Colts leaned into more no-huddle, and Rivers handled it like the seasoned vet he is.
He pushed the ball downfield more aggressively than in previous weeks, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. That’s a notable shift, and it helped keep the offense moving. The Colts sustained drives and stayed competitive for much of the game, thanks largely to Rivers’ poise and execution.
Stud: WR Alec Pierce - Big Plays, Big Impact
Alec Pierce didn’t see a ton of targets-just four-but he made the most of every opportunity. Two of those targets went for touchdowns, and he racked up 86 yards on the night, averaging a whopping 21.5 yards per reception.
Pierce continues to evolve beyond just being a deep threat. His ability to attack different levels of the field and win in multiple ways has made him a go-to option in this offense. Whether it’s stretching the field vertically or finding soft spots in coverage, Pierce is showing he’s more than just a flash-he’s a foundational piece moving forward.
Stud: Blake Grupe - Mr. Reliable
In a season that’s been anything but stable, Blake Grupe has quietly become a source of consistency. The rookie kicker was perfect once again-2-for-2 on field goals, including a 51-yarder, and 3-for-3 on extra points.
Grupe’s steady leg has given the Colts something they haven’t always had in recent years: confidence in the kicking game. When the offense stalls, he’s delivering points. That matters, especially when margins are thin.
Dud: The Colts’ Defense - No Answers, No Stops
Let’s not sugarcoat it-the Colts’ defense got steamrolled.
Brock Purdy looked surgical, completing 25-of-34 passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey piled up 117 yards on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The 49ers averaged 6.7 yards per play-just for context, that’s better than the league-leading Rams’ season average.
San Francisco didn’t punt. They scored on all but two possessions. That’s not just bad-that’s domination.
The Colts’ pass rush? One sack.
One QB hit. Coverage?
Shredded. Lou Anarumo tried mixing up looks, but nothing stuck.
The 49ers won the one-on-one matchups across the board, and the Colts were left chasing shadows.
From the front seven to the secondary, it was a breakdown at every level. The 49ers dictated everything-and the Colts had no counterpunch.
Dud: The Playoff Picture - Fading Fast
If the loss wasn’t painful enough, the playoff math is now brutally simple. The Colts, sitting at 8-7, are two games behind the 10-5 Houston Texans with just two games to play. According to the ESPN broadcast, Indy’s postseason odds have dropped to just 2%.
It’s not impossible, but it’s close. The Colts need help-and they need to win out. But after five straight losses, including one where the defense got picked apart and the offense couldn’t quite keep pace, it’s fair to wonder if this team has enough left in the tank.
Bottom Line
There were moments of promise on Monday night-Rivers looked sharp, Pierce continues to emerge, and Grupe remains money. But the defensive collapse was overwhelming, and the playoff window is now barely cracked open.
The Colts are running out of time and answers. If they’re going to salvage what’s left of the season, it has to start with finding some kind of defensive identity-and fast.