Brock Purdy’s Five Touchdowns Propel 49ers Past Colts, 48-27

The San Francisco 49ers triumphed over the Indianapolis Colts with a decisive score of 48-27 on December 22, 2025, showcasing an explosive offense just as the playoffs approach. Quarterback Brock Purdy delivered a stellar performance, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes, while Dee Winters sealed the game with a 74-yard interception return of Philip Rivers‘ final pass.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Purdy’s performance, stating, “He was awesome, he played really well. I got on him for a couple throws he missed, but it was pretty close to a perfect game.” With this victory, the 49ers improved their record to 11-4, extending their winning streak to five games. This run keeps them competitive for both the NFC West title and the conference’s top seed.

The game marked a significant milestone for San Francisco, as they ended a five-game losing streak against the Colts, a series that dated back to November 2001. The defeat for Indianapolis also had playoff implications, as it secured postseason spots for the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC.

Purdy’s impressive statistics included completing 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards. The 49ers amassed a total of 440 yards and did not punt for the second consecutive week. Running back Christian McCaffrey contributed significantly with 117 rushing yards on 21 carries, along with two touchdown receptions. Tight end George Kittle also made his mark, securing seven catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.

The Colts struggled defensively, and Coach Shane Steichen acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We can’t give up that many yards. They scored a lot of points, went up and down the field, and we’ve got to get that cleaned up in a hurry.”

Despite a challenging game, Rivers performed admirably in his second appearance after a five-year hiatus, completing 23 of 35 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. However, the Colts’ recent performance has left them in a precarious position, having lost five straight games and six of their last seven.

The first half unfolded dynamically, with Rivers throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce on the Colts’ opening drive. Purdy quickly responded, connecting with Demarcus Robinson for a 22-yard touchdown pass, followed by a two-yard touchdown to McCaffrey, putting the 49ers ahead 14-7. The teams exchanged touchdowns, ending the half with San Francisco leading 24-17.

In the second half, Purdy continued to show his prowess, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings, extending the lead to 31-17. A late touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor narrowed the margin to 34-27, but the 49ers secured their victory with another touchdown from McCaffrey and Winters’ interception return in the final minutes.

Purdy expressed his pride in the team’s execution against the Colts, saying, “It was cool to be out here playing against Philip Rivers. To go out and execute like we did, I’m really proud of these guys.”

In terms of injuries, the 49ers faced some setbacks, with Kittle sustaining an ankle injury during the third quarter and linebacker Tatum Bethune also leaving with an ankle issue. The Colts, already missing key players, lost center Tanor Bortolini to a concussion early in the game, along with starting right guard Dalton Tucker in the second half.

Looking ahead, the 49ers will host the Chicago Bears on Saturday night in a game that could foreshadow a playoff matchup. The Colts will close out their home schedule against the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, hoping to turn their fortunes around.