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49ers vs. Colts live score, updates, highlights from NFL 'Monday Night Football' game

December 23, 2025
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49ers vs. Colts live score, updates, highlights from NFL ‘Monday Night Football’ game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Week 16 comes to a close on Monday night as the Indianapolis Colts host the San Francisco 49ers for “Monday Night Football.”

With the action of the week so far, the 49ers have officially clinched a playoff spot. San Francisco heads into this matchup as the No. 6 seed, but still has a mathematical chance at the No. 1 seed for the NFC. The 49ers need to win out, and need a lot of outside help for it to happen, but it is plausible. 

The Colts are currently on the outside looking in for the AFC playoff picture. Indianapolis’s best chance of making the playoffs comes as a wild-card team. The Colts aren’t eliminated from playoff contention with a loss, but it makes the playoffs tougher to reach. Indianapolis will turn once again to veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, who is looking to notch his first win since coming out of retirement. 

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights from Colts vs. 49ers on Monday night. 

STREAM: Watch 49ers vs. Colts live with Fubo (free trial)

49ers vs. Colts score

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49ers vs. Colts live updates, highlights from ‘Monday Night Football’

49ers 7, Colts 7

8:36 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: The 49ers answer right back.

On 2nd & 8, Purdy throws a bullet over the middle of the field to Demarcus Robinson, who reels it in for a 22-yard score. 

Purdy completed all three of his passes that drive for 53 yards and a touchdown. After the opening drives, it’s 7-7.

8:35 p.m.: Right after McCaffrey gets his first reception of the game, the back takes a carry nine yards down to the Indianapolis 24. The 49ers have a new set of downs.

8:32 p.m.: Carry No. 1 for Christian McCaffrey goes for four yards, with the 49ers looking to strike back fast.

The next play, San Francisco is already in Indianapolis territory after Purdy lobs one up to George Kittle over the middle of the field. The superstar tight end comes back to make a play on the ball and it goes for 26 yards.

San Francisco is inside the 40.

Colts 7, 49ers 0

8:28 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Philip Rivers and Indianapolis strike first on a stellar opening drive.

On a free play, Rivers lobs one up to Alec Pierce in the end zone, and the receiver brings it down for a 20-yard score.

Rivers was 5-for-7 for 73 yards and a touchdown on the first drive as the Colts take a 7-0 lead.

8:26 p.m.: Now on 3rd & 7, Rivers hits Michael Pittman Jr. on a drag and he takes it well above the first down chains. But, an illegal formation penalty on Jalen Travis negates the play.

With that, the Colts still convert on 3rd & 12. Rivers finds Downs in between a few defenders and the wide receiver stumbles forward for 13 yards and a first down.

8:24 p.m.: Right after the Taylor run, Rivers finds Josh Downs on the left side of the field. It goes for 18 yards and Indianapolis is inside the 35.

8:23 p.m.: On the first third down of the game, Rivers connects with Taylor over the middle of the field and the running back has space. He takes it 19 yards all the way to the Colts 49.

8:20 p.m.: Colts center Tanor Bortolini went down on the second play of the game, which was a Jonathan Taylor seven-yard run.

He is currently being checked on by trainers.

8:17 p.m.: “Monday Night Football” has kicked off at Lucas Oil Stadium.

44-year-old Philip Rivers and the Colts won the kickoff and elected to receive.

8:14 p.m.: Kickoff is moments away.

The stakes are high: for the 49ers, a loss cements a wild card spot in the NFC. The Colts will not be mathematically eliminated with a loss, but will face a steep uphill climb.

8:05 p.m.: The 49ers have real Super Bowl aspirations and look to be in their home stadium come February 8, 2026.

This is the first of two straight primetime contests for San Francisco.

7:53 p.m.: Tonight’s quarterback matchup is between pick No. 4 in the 2004 NFL Draft vs. Mr. Irrelevant in 2022.

7:44 p.m.: The “Indiana Nights” alternate uniform is in full swing.

7:32 p.m.: Do you think Jason Kelce is in the holiday spirit? 

7:26 p.m.: Philip Rivers is back under the lights.

The Colts desperately need a win to stay alive in the AFC playoff race. 

7:11 p.m.: Brock Purdy is getting loose before “Monday Night Football.”

7:08 p.m.: Indianapolis has posted its inactives for tonight’s contest.

Most notable is Sauce Gardner, who has been week-to-week with a calf injury. The corner played two full games after being acquired from the New York Jets before injuring his calf against the Houston Texans.

7:07 p.m.: This matchup features two of the best running backs in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor.

McCaffrey is 78 rushing yards away from 1,000 on the season. 

6:48 p.m.: San Francisco has listed its inactives for “Monday Night Football.”

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is out with a knee injury.

6:39 p.m.: San Francisco enters tonight at 10-4 and having a playoff berth clinched.

With a win tonight, the 49ers will stay eligible for the NFC West title, which is currently held by the Seattle Seahawks. 

6:37 p.m.: The Colts will be wearing their “Indiana nights” alternate uniforms for tonight’s primetime contest.

6:10 p.m.: 44-year-old Philip Rivers makes his second start in 2025 tonight against the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.

You can follow Rivers’ stats from “Monday Night Football” here. 

5:43 p.m.: Tonight, DeForest Buckner plays the team that drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 2016.

MORE NFL WEEK 16:

Where to watch 49ers vs. Colts

49ers vs. Colts start time

  • Date: Monday, December 22
  • Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 16’s “Monday Night Football” game between the 49ers and the Colts will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. 

Joe Buck will be the play-by-play analyst for the game, with Troy Aikman serving as the color commentator. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be the sideline reporters for the game. 

What channel is 49ers vs. Colts on today?

  • Date: Monday, December 22
  • TV Channel: ESPN, ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN App, Fubo

The Week 16 matchup between the 49ers and the Colts will be broadcast on ESPN, and simulcast on ABC. There will also be an alternative broadcast on ESPN2, with Field Yates, Dan Orlovsky and Luke Kuechly.

A live stream will be available on the ESPN App as well as Fubo, which carries ESPN and ABC in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial. 

MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures in Week 16

49ers remaining schedule

With a playoff berth clinched, here is how San Francisco closes out the regular season. 

Date Game Time (ET)
Sun., Dec. 28 vs. Bears (SNF) 8:20 p.m.
TBD vs. Seahawks TBD

MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order in Week 16

Colts remaining schedule

Here is how Indianapolis will end the regular season. 

Date Game Time (ET)
Sun., Dec. 28 vs. Jaguars 1 p.m.
TBD  at Texans TBD
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