INDIANAPOLIS – Here is how the 49ers (11-4) graded in Monday night’s 48-27 win over the host Colts (8-7):
PASS OFFENSE: A
Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes, including three on the first three drives that matched Philip Rivers’ vintage form. Purdy, scrambling less than last game, passed for 295 yards on a near-perfect evening. Four receivers scored – two by Christian McCaffrey and one apiece for George Kittle, Jauan Jennings and Demarcus Robinson. Kittle (115 yards) walked out with an ankle injury that initially does not look dire. Jennings’ third-down prowess showed in his 71-yard night. Even when Purdy got strip-sacked, the ball was snared in mid-air by Luke Farrell for a 3-yard gain. Even when Purdy got intercepted with 4 ½ minutes left, Dee Winters picked off Philip Rivers and returned that interception 74 yards for a touchdown.
RUN OFFENSE: A
Christian McCaffrey breached the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season and is 151 yards shy of the 1,000-yard receiving mark, reflecting just how in demand and productive he’s been as an every-game workhorse. Of his 117 rushing yards this game, a season-long burst of 24 yards came on third-and-1 into the red zone. Brian Robinson had five carries (20 yards) and rookie Jordan James had none but suited up for the first time, in place of Isaac Guerendo.
PASS DEFENSE: B
Philip Rivers, 44, immediately attacked the 49ers with two touchdown passes on his first two drives, but defensive coordinator Robert Saleh settled down his unit, and C.J. West’s first career sack triggered a critical three-and-out. The 49ers yielded 277 yards but it could have been much more had Rivers not underthrown a few open receivers. His final pass was intercepted by Dee Winters, who returned his first career theft 74 yards for a touchdown to cap the scoring.
RUN DEFENSE: A
The 49ers seemed as surprised as anyone that the Colts strayed from NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor (16 carries, 46 yards) to let Rivers try to upset the playoff-bound 49ers. Tatum Bethune returned at middle linebacker, Curtis Robinson was deactivated, and Eric Kendricks made a cameo in his debut as Bethune dealt with more ankle issues.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Sandwiched between the 49ers’ first two touchdown drives was Ji’Ayir Brown forcing a fumble on a kick return that Jake Tonges recovered. Sandwiched between Eddy Piñeiro’s two successful field goals was his only miss this season, on a 64-yard try that hit the crossbar as the first half ended. Thomas Morstead has not punted in the past two games.
COACHING: A
Kyle Shanahan justifiably congratulated the 49ers on Sunday night for clinching a spot in the playoffs. There would not be a letdown Monday night, although Saleh had to rally his defense after a sluggish start. This really is Shanahan (and his staff’s) best work yet in nine seasons. They’ve won 11 games a year after losing 11, and they’ve turned injuries to marquee players into invaluable bonding moments.
The Mercury News
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