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The San Francisco 49ers ruined 44-year-old Philip Rivers’ homecoming for the Indianapolis Colts when quarterback Brock Purdy threw for five touchdowns in a 48-27 road victory Monday night.
San Francisco knows that if they win the remaining two games, they would be the number one seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs, and their mission will be accomplished by moving to 11-4.
Meanwhile, the Colts, after starting the year 8-2, continue their losing streak despite solid play from Rivers, except for one crucial moment in the game.
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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The Colts trailed 41-27 with the 49ers already in field goal range when one of Purdy’s few errant passes went through the hands of Kendrick Bourne and was intercepted.
It could have been a turning point in the game, especially when Rivers found Alec Pierce, who had a monster game with two touchdowns in the first half, for a 33-yard gain to turn the field. But on the next play, Dee Winters jumped a Rivers pass intended for Ty Warren and took it 74 yards to the house, a pick-six that sealed the game.
Although they still have the slimmest of playoff hopes, the Colts’ loss means the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers all clinched playoff spots in the AFC.
PHILIP RIVERS DELIVERS A VINTAGE FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE FOR THE COLTS, DELIGHTING NFL FANS
Rivers was focused from the start of the game, as head coach Shane Steichen was calling too many passes instead of letting Jonathan Taylor do the job as running back for the Colts’ offense.
To open the game, Rivers threw the ball seven times in nine plays, and his best throw was a 20-yard pass to Pierce for a quick 7-0 lead. It was a free play for Rivers with a 49ers defender jumping offside, and he didn’t disappoint by allowing his receiver to point the ball high for a score.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White (56) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
But, while Rivers was having a fantastic first half, Purdy and the 49ers offense were matching everything and then some.
The 49ers scored on all of their first-half drives, except when they got the ball with just 17 seconds left and kicker Eddy Piñeiro attempted a 64-yard field goal, the longest of his career, and hit the bottom of the crossbar just before halftime.
But Purdy had three touchdown passes on his first three drives, finding Demarcus Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to take a 24-14 lead into halftime with Piñeiro scoring his first field goal attempt of the game.
With the ball early in the second half, the 49ers once again took it down the field, where Purdy perfectly placed one for Jauan Jennings in the end zone for the three-yard score on third-and-goal to take a 31-17 lead.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers catches Germaine Pratt #53 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The start of the fourth quarter saw a 34-20 lead in favor of the visiting team, but a 12-play, 65-yard drive changed the dynamic at Lucas Oil Stadium, as Taylor broke through the tacklers for a score.
However, Purdy had some big drives of his own, including three third-down situations, all converted. It was McCaffrey who scored for the second time on third-and-goal from the Indianapolis nine-yard line to take a 41-27 lead.
On the scoreboard, Rivers had a tremendous game despite the pick-six, going 23 of 35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Purdy, however, bested him with five touchdowns on 25-of-34 passing for 295 yards.
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McCaffrey had 146 all-purpose yards, including 117 rushing on 21 carries. Kittle, who had to leave the game early due to an ankle injury, had 115 yards on seven receptions with his touchdown, while Jennings had 71 yards on five receptions.
For the Colts, Pierce had 86 yards on four receptions with his two touchdowns, while Josh Downs had five receptions for 65 yards. The 49ers kept Taylor in check on the ground, limiting him to just 46 yards on 16 carries.
