Detailing the Historic Performance Milestones Achieved by Brock Purdy During the Recent 49ers vs Colts Matchup
The San Francisco 49ers continued their pursuit of the top seed in the NFC on Monday night, December 22, 2025, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 48 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brock Purdy delivered a career defining performance, throwing for 295 yards and five touchdowns, a feat that placed him in elite franchise company alongside Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young. The victory extended San Francisco’s winning streak to five games and moved them to 11 4 on the season. While the 49ers had already clinched a playoff berth due to results earlier in the weekend, this dominant road win ensures they control their own destiny for a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the postseason.
The impact of the game was felt early as both offenses traded blows in a high scoring first half. Making his home debut after coming out of retirement just weeks ago, 44 year old Philip Rivers showed flashes of his vintage form, connecting with Alec Pierce for two early touchdowns to keep the score tied at 14 14. However, the momentum shifted permanently when San Francisco forced a fumble on a kickoff return late in the first quarter. Purdy capitalized immediately, spreading the ball to a variety of targets including Demarcus Robinson and Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey was once again a dual threat centerpiece for the 49ers, finishing with 117 rushing yards while adding two receiving touchdowns to his season total.
Reactions to the performance highlighted the historical significance of Purdy’s night, as he became the first 49ers quarterback to throw five touchdowns in a regular season game since 1990. Despite the loss, Philip Rivers earned praise from both sidelines for his resilience; he finished with 277 yards and two scores, proving he could still compete at a high level despite his five year hiatus. Colts head coach Shane Steichen lamented the missed opportunities and the decisive 74 yard pick six thrown by Rivers to 49ers linebacker Dee Winters in the closing minutes. That turnover officially ended any hope of an Indianapolis comeback and left the Colts at 8 7, severely damaging their wild card hopes in a crowded AFC field.
Strategically, Kyle Shanahan’s offense appeared unstoppable, scoring on their first four possessions and converting 64 percent of their third downs. Tight end George Kittle was a primary factor in this efficiency, hauling in seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers' defense, despite missing several key starters due to earlier season injuries, focused on containing Jonathan Taylor and forcing Rivers into long yardage situations. By the fourth quarter, the relentless pressure from the San Francisco front had worn down the Indianapolis offensive line, leading to the late game mistakes that inflated the final score.
Looking at the future outlook, the 49ers return home to Levi’s Stadium to face the Chicago Bears next week before a regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks. If San Francisco wins their remaining two games, they will secure the No. 1 seed and would not have to leave Santa Clara for the remainder of the playoffs. For the Colts, the focus turns to a must win divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As the regular season nears its conclusion, Brock Purdy’s rapid ascent and the 49ers' balanced attack have established them as the team to beat in the NFC.