SANTA CLARA — Holiday mail has arrived, at least in the form of social-media questions from 49ers fans ahead of Monday night’s visit to the Indianapolis Colts:
How many sacks can we get on Rivers? (@ljmb127)
Prediction: Keion White and Bryce Huff each will sack Philip Rivers. However, the 49ers remained with an NFL-low 16 sacks after failing Sunday to catch Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans’ rookie who has been sacked a league-leading 49 times.
Rivers, in his first game since 2020, got sacked just once in Seattle before leading the Colts to a go-ahead field goal in the final minute of an eventual 18-16 loss. He has been sacked 465 times in 245 regular-season games; Aaron Rodgers holds the NFL record with 594 sacks in 261 games (and counting).
Can they beat the rest of the teams? (@mamalu196)
Yes. And they could lose to the rest of the teams. Maybe they peaked Sunday against the Titans to cap a four-game win streak against teams with a combined record of 15-41 (Cardinals 3-11, Panthers 7-7, Browns 3-11, Titans 2-12).
If the Niners win the next three but the Rams beat Seattle on Thursday night, do we know what seed we will be? (@jillsc13)
That scenario would bump the 49ers up to at least the No. 5 seed and the first wild-card slot, although they could still win the division and the No. 1 seed if the Rams lose at either Atlanta (5-9) and/or against Arizona (3-11).
What could the Niners have done differently to keep BA happy and productive? (@Max____Stone).
Only Brandon Aiyuk can answer that, and you may need to decipher his code judging from his cryptic Instagram post Monday (“Onna E way V truck, even tho Issa BP I still play the rear view mirror my wrist a PP patek Philippe same pruce uh Richard mill.”). Everyone else seems perplexed as to why Aiyuk, amid serious but encouraging knee rehabilitation, backed away from the team.
It has been a rocky relationship since his 2020 first-round selection: a 2021 stint in the coaches’ doghouse, 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and ’23, a ricochet catch to spark the NFC Championship comeback over Detroit, a 2024 contract stalemate that almost got him traded but instead delivered $48 million thus far, and, ultimately, a career-halting injury to his right kene in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. There were, of course, cameos at practice and in the preseason warmups in Las Vegas, then came Saturday’s pink slip of a “reserve/left squad” designation.
I’ve seen the Titans try to kick away from Skyy Moore. Should we expect a repeat of this from teams? (@keir_escamilla)
Moore’s 98-yard, game-opening kick return in Arizona surely put every opponent on notice. The 49ers have an encouraging Plan B in Brian Robinson, who returned a pair of kickoffs Sunday for 53 yards. Robinson is averaging 31.9 on nine kick returns this season (the first of his four-year career). Moore is averaging 28.1 yards on 25 kick returns.
Any significant players returning from injuries the next three weeks? (@michael_budd)
Linebacker Tatum Bethune (ankle), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) should return this week. That bolsters a leaky, missed-tackle-prone run defense that will face NFL leader Jonathan Taylor (1,443 yards, 16 touchdowns) and then the Bears’ D’Andre Swift (935 yards).
Yetur Gross-Matos could come off injured reserve if his hamstring cooperates, and the 49ers’ pass rush definitely needs his help. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring; injured reserve) is expected to have his practice window opened next week, but he’s essentially insurance as a return specialist if Moore gets injured.
The more pressing injuries are whether wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) and Juaun Jennings (ribs) can quickly rebound from Sunday’s pains.
What are the odds we see (running back Isaac) Guerendo touch a football? (@podman61)
Not great. Guerendo has played every game this season but has not taken a snap on offense, where the 49ers are all-in on Christian McCaffrey’s 1K/1K pursuit and Robinson’s relief role. Guerendo has played half the special-teams snaps: two tackles, one forced fumble, and five kick returns (in the first five games).
Niners by two touchdowns. (@damonharris245)
They’ve won by double digits in each of their past three road games (34-24 at the New York Giants, 41-22 at Arizona, and 26-8 at Cleveland). The Colts may be on a four-game skid but they are 6-1 at home and have Rivers’ homecoming to keep it tight. Prediction: 49ers 31, Colts 24.
Any recs for Indy? (@juliantalai10)
Obvious tip: St. Elmo Steak House, for shrimp cocktail to clear the sinuses. Hidden gem: Bluebeard, for the nation’s best farm-to-table spot. Running path: Canal, over the White River and toward the zoo. Wander: Massachusetts Avenue to scout food and shops.
The Niner Empire of Indy is promoting Faithful gatherings: Friday and Saturday late afternoons at Empire Street Bar & Grill, Saturday night at Howl at the Moon, Sunday 2:30 p.m. group photo at Monument Circle, Sunday night at Hooters, Monday from 2 to 6 p.m.at TownPlace Suites across from Lucas Oil Stadium.