A deciding win against the Houston Texans, has The Colts feeling good. This week The Colts travel to the Bay Area for Sunday Night Showdown against the 49ers. The Colts have received unfortunate news losing the ball-hawking secondary player Julian Blackmon for the year. This is a matchup between two teams who know their fair share of injuries. The Colts enter this game 2-4 with the 1st place in the AFC South completely in their grasp. A strong showing on Sunday Night will prove all the doubters wrong about this team. Jimmy “JQ” Garoppolo is returning to the starting lineup for the 49ers following a bye week. Rookie quarterback Trey Lance has not practiced all week meaning he probably won’t suit up on Sunday Night. This is a perfect story for the Colts to show the world the Monday Night primetime game was a fluke.
What to watch for:
Nelson’s return. While they won’t face each other head to head. The two highest-paid linebackers Darius Leonard vs Fred Warner will be something special. How does the secondary hold against Deebo Samuel who is currently number 5 in yards in the NFL. Can this secondary keep him contained with the injury to Blackmon. Deforest Buckner is returning to a place he knows all too well. San Francisco was the place that drafted him. Should be an emotional return for him. And he’s been quoted saying “it’s a little personal” when asked about his first game as Colt playing his former team. Jimmy Garoppolo’s first game it’ll be interesting to see how healthy he is following a full week of limited practices not full. Finally, the last thing to watch for is The Colts offensive line vs the 49ers defensive front.
Injury Report:
It’s getting better it’s no longer the 3 pages we have become accustomed to.
Quenton Nelson (IR return practiced Wednesday)
TY Hilton Quad
Kemoko Turay Groin
Braden Smith Foot/Thumb
Rock Ya-Sin Ankle
The Colts have some true questionable guys for Sunday. Big impactful players. If Rock and Rhodes who popped up on the injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury can’t go on Sunday it will be a big loss to the Colts.
On the other side of the ball for the 49ers Javon Kinlaw DNP Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury. Trey Lance and Trent Williams also both DNP Wednesday and Thursday. Jimmy G as mentioned above is back after returning from a calf injury that held him out a few games this year.
Keys to winning the game:
RTDB(Run The Damn Ball) is always a key to winning for the Colts. Taking the pressure off of Wentz by having a dominant run game opens up the offense so much more for Wentz. Secondary playing strong. The secondary has to find a to stop Deebo Samuel who’s having an amazing season. The last key of the game is creating pressure upfront and making Garoppolo uncomfortable for his return off of injury.
