The 2-3 San Francisco 49ers will play host to 2-4 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football in Week 7 action. The 49ers are coming off a bye week, and have lost their last three games. Indianapolis blew out Hosuton last week, winning their first home game in 2021.
This game will be nationally televised on NBC. The kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 pm EST at Levi’s Stadium.
Colts Are Better Than Their Record Indicates
Frank Reich’s ballclub has gotten off to a rough start, but remains a talented team that should still be in the playoff hunt by the end of the season. The Colts have a very easy schedule coming up that features many winnable games. They also play in the lowly AFC South, which believe it or not, remains up for grabs.
The Colts still feature a very talented defense that finished in the top-10 last season, and their offense is coming off their best game of the season, albeit against the Texans. Carson Wentz is gaining confidence as the season progresses, and hasn’t been the problem in Indy thus far as he currently possesses an impressive passer rating of 102.4.
The main issue has been injuries, and the Colts remain banged up heading into this game. Although All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson has been activated for Sunday, wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Paris Campbell won’t play.
On D, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, safety Julian Blackmon, and defensive end Kemoko Turay are all ruled out as well.
Jimmy G Back In The Saddle For SF?
While Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t fully 100%, it looks like the 29-year-old will make his return to the field after missing the Niners Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals with an ankle injury. Jimmy G’s favorite target George Kittle remains on the IR, but Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk could potentially give this Colts defense fits. Lance was pretty bad in Jimmy G’s absence, and Garoppolo has been a reliable quarterback ever since being traded to the Bay Area.
The biggest matchup is whether or not the 49ers will be able to stop the run. They’ve been great against the pass but are allowing 113.2 yards per game on the ground this season. Look for Frank Reich to give Jonathon Taylor a boatload of carries in this one. Taylor is coming off his best outing last week with two touchdowns, including an 83-yard scamper.
Betting Analysis
- San Francisco 49ers -4 (-110) Money Line -200
- Indianapolis Colts +4 (-110) Money Line +170
- Total Points 43.0 Over -110, Under -110
I could really see this game going either way, and I think the return of Quenton Nelson in the trenches is huge. If the Colts are smart, they’ll really keep this game on the ground and keep Kyle Shanahan from outsmarting Indy offensively. I believe this game could come down to a late field goal, and Niners kicker Robbie Gould remains injured. Take the Colts and the points on Sunday night.
Betting Pick: Indianapolis Colts +4 (-110)
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