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The San Francisco 49ers spoiled 44-year-old Philip Rivers’ homecoming run for the Indianapolis Colts as quarterback Brock Purdy threw five touchdowns in a 48-27 road victory Monday night.
San Francisco knows that if they win their remaining two games, they would be the No. 1 seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs, and their mission would be accomplished as they improve to 11-4.
Meanwhile, the Colts, after starting the year 8-2, remain on their losing streak despite Rivers’ strong play, 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 found themselves trailing 41-27 with the 49ers already in field goal range when one of Purdy’s few errant passes slipped 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 around. But on the next play, Dee Winters jumped a Rivers pass intended for Ty Warren and took it 74 yards to the house – a game-sealing pick-six.
Although they still have the slimmest of playoff hopes, the Colts’ loss means that the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers have all clinched a playoff spot in the AFC.
PHILIP RIVERS DELIVERS VINTAGE FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE FOR COLTS, DELIGHTING NFL FANS
Rivers was stuck early in the game, as head coach Shane Steichen dialed up a lot of passes instead of letting Jonathan Taylor do the running back job for the Colts offense.
To open the game, Rivers threw the ball seven times in nine plays, and his best was a 20-yard strike to Pierce to take an early 7-0 lead. It was a free play for Rivers with a 49ers defender offside, and he didn’t disappoint in allowing his receiver to spike the ball for the 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 had a fantastic first half, Purdy and the 49ers’ offense lived up to it all and then some.
The 49ers scored on all of their drives in the first half except when they got the ball back with just 17 seconds left and kicker Eddy Pineiro attempted a career-long 64-yard field goal and hit the bottom of the crossbar just before halftime.
But Purdy had three passing touchdowns on its first three drives, allowing Demarcus Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to take a 24-14 halftime lead, with Pineiro hitting his first field goal attempt of the game.
With the ball to start the second half, the 49ers once again took it down the field, where Purdy perfectly placed one to 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 makes a catch against 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 road team, but a 12-play, 65-yard drive changed the momentum at Lucas Oil Stadium, as Taylor shed tacklers for the touchdown.
However, Purdy had his own momentum, including three third-down situations, all of which 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.
In the box scoring, Rivers had a tremendous game despite the pick six, going 23 of 35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Purdy, however, beat him with five touchdowns on 25-of-34 passing for 295 yards.
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McCaffrey totaled 146 all-purpose yards, including 117 rushing on 21 carries. Kittle, who had to leave the game early with an ankle injury, rushed for 115 yards on seven catches with his touchdown, while Jennings had 71 yards on five receptions.
For the Colts, Pierce had 86 yards on four catches with his two scores, while Josh Downs had five catches for 65 yards. The 49ers held Taylor at bay on the ground, limiting him to just 46 yards on 16 carries.
