49ers vs. Colts: Preview, score prediction for Week 5
San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts host the San Francisco 49ers in a game that two teams with differing ambitions will view as very winnable. Indianapolis does not seem too far from having Andrew Luck back under center and will want Jacoby Brissett to hand the keys back to him with the Colts still in the picture at 2-3 in an AFC South division that remains close but in which the Houston Texans look to be gathering steam.
San Francisco is firmly in rebuild mode and, at 0-4, is pretty much out of contention in the NFC West. However, their last three losses have been by a combined eight points and have come against teams who defeated the Colts by a combined 68 points in the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers should therefore have plenty of confidence that they can end the wait for a first win against a team boasting a Niners legend in Frank Gore, who needs four yards to surpass Eric Dickerson and move up to seventh on the list of all-time rushing leaders.
Keys to the Game
If the Colts are to do some damage against a defense that gave up just one touchdown last week, then it will likely have to be through the air. San Francisco’s secondary has looked extremely questionable in the first four games and Indianapolis’ top receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief are both averaging 17 yards per reception.
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With the 49ers’ run defense giving up just 3.3 yards per carry, there does not figure to be much room for Gore, so the Colts’ focus should be pushing the ball downfield to Hilton and Moncrief.
To succeed in doing that the Colts will have to keep Brissett upright, something which may be easier said than done. The 49ers had six sacks and 16 hits of Carson Palmer last week and will look to enjoy similar success versus a Colts offensive line that has given up 14 sacks and ranks No. 29 in the league in pass protection, per Football Outsiders.
The 49ers have had similar issues in keeping Hoyer clean — he has been sacked 13 times — but regardless of his protection there will be a great emphasis on the San Francisco quarterback to turn things around after failing to lead a touchdown drive in Arizona against a vulnerable Colts defense that has given up over 40 points twice this season.
Indianapolis ranks No. 24 in pass defense and No. 23 in rush defense, per Football Outsiders, meaning there is plenty of hope for a strong Carlos Hyde game, with the 49ers running back not listed on the injury report after battling through a hip issue against the Cardinals.
Odds
Point Spread: Indianapolis -1
Moneyline: San Francisco +100, Arizona -120
Over/Under: 44.5
Odds from Bet365 via Sportsbook Review
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Prediction
The Colts may have the better record, but that only came as a result of them playing the dreadful Cleveland Browns. Their respective performances against the rest of the NFC West tells you who the better team is here, at least with Luck still on the sideline. San Francisco delivers here and gives Kyle Shanahan his first victory as a head coach.
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers: 31, Indianapolis Colts: 17