What we learned as Brock Purdy throws career-high five TDs in 49ers' win in Indy

BOX SCOREBrock Purdy and the 49ers rumbled into Indianapolis and rode out of Lucas Oil Stadium with a convincing 48-27 win over the Colts on Monday night.Purdy had his best game of the season — and arguably one of the best of his as a pro — as he threw a career-high five touchdowns to four different pass-catchers. The fourth-year pro completed 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards with one interception. FIVE touchdowns for Brock Purdy pic.twitter.com/o68jxe0ViN — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) December 23, 2025 Demarcus Robinson, Christian McCaffrey (twice), George Kittle and Jauan Jennings all were recipients of touchdown passes from Purdy.With the win, the 49ers improve to 11-4 and jump up to the NFC’s No. 5 seed, with two regular-season games remaining — both at home — against the Chicago Bears next Sunday and against the Seattle Seahawks on the final weekend.The 49ers, who clinched a playoff spot when the Detroit Lions lost on Sunday, still control their postseason destiny. With wins over the Bears and Seahawks, they will secure the NFC West title and the conference’s No. 1 seed.Kittle had a monster game, recording seven catches for 115 yards and one touchdown, but the star tight end tweaked an ankle in the third quarter and didn’t return to the game.McCaffrey continued his dominant season with 117 rushing yards on 21 carries. He also caught six passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns.Rookie defensive lineman Alfred Collins and CJ West each recorded their first career NFL sacks in the win.Linebacker Dee Winters sealed the win with a 74-yard pick-six. DEE WINTERS PICK SIX pic.twitter.com/xIOcCsr1Fz — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) December 23, 2025 Here are Matt Maiocco’s takeaways from the 49ers’ win over the Colts:Purdy supplying pretty numbersPurdy and the offense have caught fire since the first half of their last appearance on Monday Night Football.Purdy threw three interceptions in the first half of that Week 12 game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 24, but San Francisco’s defense rose to the occasion to lift the 49ers to a 20-9 victory.Purdy has provided more than his fair share of production during the remainder of the 49ers’ five-game win streak.On Monday, Purdy got off to a great start. The offensive line provided good protection, and Purdy worked the ball around to all of his targets in the passing game.He threw three touchdown passes in the first half against the Colts, marking the first time in his NFL career that he had three scoring passes in the first two quarters of any game. Brock Purdy caps off a 69-yard drive with a nice pass to George Kittle pic.twitter.com/5Udzfbr2z6 — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) December 23, 2025 Rivers makes it look easyDespite facing a quarterback who unretired just last week after nearly five years away from the NFL, the 49ers’ defense struggled mightily.Philip Rivers showed his old-man savvy as the 49ers had a difficult time slowing down the Colts’ passing attack.Overall, Rivers completed 23 of 35 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Rivers exploited the 49ers’ secondary and appeared to zero in on cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., who got the start in place of injured Renardo Green.The 49ers did not get consistent pressure on Rivers and they could not cover on the back end. West made about the only good defensive play of the first half with a sack to force Indianapolis’ only punt of the first half. C.J. West's first NFL sack pic.twitter.com/KU6jkWWi2o — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) December 23, 2025 The 49ers did just enough defensively to allow them to build a two-touchdown lead in the second half.Special teams come throughThe 49ers made some adjustments on their special teams, as they deactivated core performers Chase Lucas, Curtis Robinson and Robert Beal Jr.But the 49ers’ strong play on special teams continued in the first quarter when Ji’Ayir Brown forced a fumble on Ameer Abdullah’s kickoff return. Jake Tonges was there to recover the loose ball. Special teams make special plays&excl; pic.twitter.com/KVFtpVklzU — 49ers on NBCS (&commat;NBCS49ers) December 23, 2025 The 49ers turned the takeaway into a quick touchdown to take a 14-7 lead.The 49ers have made a remarkable improvement in that phase of the game under first-year special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Last year, special teams were a big reason they lost so many close games and finished with a 6-11 record.This year, special teams has contributed greatly to the team clinching a playoff spot heading into Week 17.Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

What we learned as Brock Purdy throws career-high five TDs in 49ers’ win in Indy

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