After getting the best of the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, the San Francisco 49ers are sporting a record of 10-4, with the prospect of being playoff-bound looking better and better with each passing week.
Brock Purdy and company have won four straight games, and despite the injuries the team has dealt with, most notably on the defensive side of the football with Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, San Francisco is in a good spot to finish the regular season on a high note.
However, the 49ers will face a desperate Indianapolis Colts squad with the feel-good story of 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers leading the way, which makes this team dangerous in a crucial Week 16 matchup on the road at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kyle Shanahan’s Warning on Colts QB Philip Rivers
GettyPhilip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts
At this point, the NFC West division title seems out of reach for the 49ers, with the Los Angeles Rams or the Seattle Seahawks walking away with the division crown.
However, San Francisco still has a legitimate shot at clinching a playoff spot in the NFC, which longtime head coach Kyle Shanahan is not taking for granted, even though he’ll be facing Rivers in Week 16 on the road.
Apparently, Shanahan supported Rivers’ decision to come back despite the quarterback’s advanced age, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
Shanahan was also recently asked whether he admires the decision that Rivers made to come back at 44, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I admire the hell out of it,” Shanahan said of Rivers’ return. “I think he’s capable of it. What he did last night, he gave that team a chance to win, so we all know he’s capable of it, but the way he plays and the style he plays with, I respect him as much as any quarterback I’ve studied. … To me, what I admire the most is someone at that age to be able to come in there and want to play the right way, which is hanging in that pocket and taking some of those hits.”
The Colts and 49ers need this win in Week 16, which makes this matchup all the more interesting and unpredictable, especially given the way things unfolded against the Seahawks in Week 15.
Brock Purdy Receives High Praise After Latest Win
GettyBrock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers
After getting the best of the Tennessee Titans and securing the team’s 10th win of the season, wide receiver Jauan Jennings had high praise for star quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy threw two touchdown passes to Jennings, which the 28-year-old clearly appreciated, as he made clear on 95.7 The Game.
“Same Brock, man,” Jennings said of Purdy. “Just being himself. Just Brock carrying the team each and every week. We love having Brock out there. This QB1, and we’re going to lay it on the line for him.”
Although Purdy has spent most of the 2025 campaign on the mend, the Iowa State product has played well when on the field, which bodes well for the team’s success if the 49ers are playoff-bound this season.
Purdy has thrown for 1,442 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games so far this season.
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