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The San Francisco 49ers spoiled 44-year-old Philip Rivers’ homecoming to the Indianapolis Colts as quarterback Brock Purdy threw five touchdowns in a 48-27 road win on 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 its mission was accomplished as they moved to 11-4.
Meanwhile, the Colts, after starting the year 8-2, remain on 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 in 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 down 41–27 with the 49ers already in field goal range when one of the few errant passes from Purdy 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 bounced 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 the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers all clinched playoff spots in the AFC.
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Rivers was locked in from the start of the game as head coach Shane Steichen dialed up too many passes instead of letting Jonathan Taylor do the work at running back for the Colts’ offense.
To open the game, Rivers threw the ball seven times on nine plays, his best being a 20-yard strike to Pierce to take a quick 7-0 lead. It was a free play for Rivers with a 49ers defender jumping offside, and he didn’t disappoint as he allowed his receiver to loft 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 stellar first half, Purdy and the 49ers’ offense matched 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 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, finding Demarcus Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle to take a 24-14 halftime lead, with Pineiro knocking down his first field goal attempt of the game.
With the ball to start the second half, the 49ers took it down the field again, with Purdy perfectly placing 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 hits 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 put a 34-20 lead in favor of the road team, but a 12-play, 65-yard drive changed the dynamic at Lucas Oil Stadium as Taylor got through tacklers for the touchdown.
However, Purdy had a big drive 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.
In the box score, Rivers had a great game despite the pick-six, going 23-of-35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. However, Purdy beat him with the five touchdowns on 25-of-34 passing for 295 yards.
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McCaffrey tallied 146 all-purpose yards, including 117 on the ground on 21 carries. Kittle, who had to leave the game early with an ankle injury, gained 115 yards on seven catches with his touchdown catch, 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 kept Taylor in check on the ground, holding him to just 46 yards on 16 carries.
