Gameday: Colts at 49ers
Week 5 Preview
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers
by Erik Klackner
Indianapolis Offense vs. San Francisco Defense
Where do you begin? The Colts have arguably the best offense in the NFL. The 49ers have by far one of the worst defenses in the NFL statistically speaking. Those statistics are somewhat deceiving, as the time of possession by the offense keeps the defense on the field for nearly 40 minutes per game, which not only makes the defense tired, but also leads to inflated stats by the opponent. This game will be no exception. If the 49ers offense is able to keep the ball for over 30 minutes, the defense has shown they can play spurts of good football, and have a knack for the big play. Even then, I doubt it would be enough.
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Peyton Manning makes quick decisions, and has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal that no team in the NFL can rival. The matchup of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley against Shawntae Spencer, Willie Middlebrooks, and Mike Adams is one of the most comically lopsided mismatches in the history of the National Football League. Edgerrin James may find the going tough, as the 49ers have remained pretty stout against the run so far this season, but he is equally effective as a receiver out of the backfield, so I still look for him to produce a big game. Having Julian Peterson back would certainly help the 49ers cause, but even then, this matchup is not even a contest in any way, shape, or form.
Most Important Matchup: Bryant Young and blitzers vs. Colts Offensive line
Advantage: ENORMOUS advantage to Colts offense
San Francisco Offense vs. Indianapolis Defense
Where do you begin? The Colts have arguably the best defense in the NFL. The 49ers have by far one of the worst offenses in the NFL statistically speaking. Those statistics are not really deceiving at all. If the 49ers have any intention of keeping this game close, the offense has to keep the football for an absolute bare minimum of 30 minutes. Doing that against a unit that has surrendered the fewest points in the NFL will be no easy task, but I believe it can be done, at least in small part.
The QB situation remains up in the air, but either way, the 49ers offense must run the football more and more effectively to succeed. Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore both showed flashes against Arizona, but only combined for 14 carries, a number that will lose you games every single time. Increasing that number to 25-30 is vital, and can be done against a speedy Colts defense that focuses more on getting upfield to pressure the QB than on stopping the run. Brandon Lloyd has become a go-to receiver, producing over 100 yards in his last 2 games, and could be a matchup problem for the Colts secondary. Unfortunately, he may never get the ball. The 49ers have some injury questions up front, particularly at LT where Jonas Jennings is expected to miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury. No matter who plays LT will have to face off against Dwight Freeney, the best pure pass rusher in the league. This could be a nightmare game for the 49ers QBs.
Most Important Matchup: Kwame Harris vs. Robert Mathis
Advantage: ENORMOUS advantage to Colts defense
Special Teams
Mike Vanderjagt remains one of the top kickers in the NFL. He is consistent, accurate, and powerful. He will miss pressure kicks, but I have a feeling there will not be many in this game. In fact, he may only need to worry about extra points. Joe Nedney still has had very limited opportunities, but has shown leg strength and accuracy in his small role thus far.
Hunter Smith is a fine punter, though his numbers this season are down somewhat. He still averages nearly 44 yards per kick, but his net average is only 36.8 per, meaning that the Colts coverage units are not up to par. Andy Lee continues to improve, and though he only averages 43 yards per kick, his net average is 38.7, signifying that the 49ers coverage units are doing an exceptional job.
Maurice Hicks and Otis Amey continue to do a solid, if unspectacular, job in the return game. Amey has had very few opportunities to return punts this season, but when he has, he has shown big-play potential, even ignoring his 75-yard TD return. Ran Carthon and Dominic Rhodes are also solid, though probably a step below Hicks and Amey. Troy Walters, so far, has been poor returning punts.
Advantage: 49ers
At the end of the day
With this being a home game for the 49ers, I am not willing to completely write them off in terms of competing in this game. They have obviously been a completely different team at home in their 2 contests there so far this year. But the Colts have a legitimate claim to being the best team in the NFL, and appear to be the clear favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XL. With the rash of injuries the 49ers have on defense, the problems Indianapolis would have given them are only magnified even more. And the loss of Arnaz Battle and Jonas Jennings yet again leaves the 49ers offense hamstrung at two very key positions. This game could be a confidence booster to the 49ers if they can keep it close, even within 10 points. I do not see that happening, unfortunately. Too many overwhelming mismatches in favor of the Colts.
Predicted Score: Indianapolis Colts--49 San Francisco 49ers--13
Filed Under: 49ers
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers
by Erik Klackner
Indianapolis Offense vs. San Francisco Defense
Where do you begin? The Colts have arguably the best offense in the NFL. The 49ers have by far one of the worst defenses in the NFL statistically speaking. Those statistics are somewhat deceiving, as the time of possession by the offense keeps the defense on the field for nearly 40 minutes per game, which not only makes the defense tired, but also leads to inflated stats by the opponent. This game will be no exception. If the 49ers offense is able to keep the ball for over 30 minutes, the defense has shown they can play spurts of good football, and have a knack for the big play. Even then, I doubt it would be enough.
Full Preview...
Peyton Manning makes quick decisions, and has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal that no team in the NFL can rival. The matchup of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley against Shawntae Spencer, Willie Middlebrooks, and Mike Adams is one of the most comically lopsided mismatches in the history of the National Football League. Edgerrin James may find the going tough, as the 49ers have remained pretty stout against the run so far this season, but he is equally effective as a receiver out of the backfield, so I still look for him to produce a big game. Having Julian Peterson back would certainly help the 49ers cause, but even then, this matchup is not even a contest in any way, shape, or form.
Most Important Matchup: Bryant Young and blitzers vs. Colts Offensive line
Advantage: ENORMOUS advantage to Colts offense
San Francisco Offense vs. Indianapolis Defense
Where do you begin? The Colts have arguably the best defense in the NFL. The 49ers have by far one of the worst offenses in the NFL statistically speaking. Those statistics are not really deceiving at all. If the 49ers have any intention of keeping this game close, the offense has to keep the football for an absolute bare minimum of 30 minutes. Doing that against a unit that has surrendered the fewest points in the NFL will be no easy task, but I believe it can be done, at least in small part.
The QB situation remains up in the air, but either way, the 49ers offense must run the football more and more effectively to succeed. Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore both showed flashes against Arizona, but only combined for 14 carries, a number that will lose you games every single time. Increasing that number to 25-30 is vital, and can be done against a speedy Colts defense that focuses more on getting upfield to pressure the QB than on stopping the run. Brandon Lloyd has become a go-to receiver, producing over 100 yards in his last 2 games, and could be a matchup problem for the Colts secondary. Unfortunately, he may never get the ball. The 49ers have some injury questions up front, particularly at LT where Jonas Jennings is expected to miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury. No matter who plays LT will have to face off against Dwight Freeney, the best pure pass rusher in the league. This could be a nightmare game for the 49ers QBs.
Most Important Matchup: Kwame Harris vs. Robert Mathis
Advantage: ENORMOUS advantage to Colts defense
Special Teams
Mike Vanderjagt remains one of the top kickers in the NFL. He is consistent, accurate, and powerful. He will miss pressure kicks, but I have a feeling there will not be many in this game. In fact, he may only need to worry about extra points. Joe Nedney still has had very limited opportunities, but has shown leg strength and accuracy in his small role thus far.
Hunter Smith is a fine punter, though his numbers this season are down somewhat. He still averages nearly 44 yards per kick, but his net average is only 36.8 per, meaning that the Colts coverage units are not up to par. Andy Lee continues to improve, and though he only averages 43 yards per kick, his net average is 38.7, signifying that the 49ers coverage units are doing an exceptional job.
Maurice Hicks and Otis Amey continue to do a solid, if unspectacular, job in the return game. Amey has had very few opportunities to return punts this season, but when he has, he has shown big-play potential, even ignoring his 75-yard TD return. Ran Carthon and Dominic Rhodes are also solid, though probably a step below Hicks and Amey. Troy Walters, so far, has been poor returning punts.
Advantage: 49ers
At the end of the day
With this being a home game for the 49ers, I am not willing to completely write them off in terms of competing in this game. They have obviously been a completely different team at home in their 2 contests there so far this year. But the Colts have a legitimate claim to being the best team in the NFL, and appear to be the clear favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XL. With the rash of injuries the 49ers have on defense, the problems Indianapolis would have given them are only magnified even more. And the loss of Arnaz Battle and Jonas Jennings yet again leaves the 49ers offense hamstrung at two very key positions. This game could be a confidence booster to the 49ers if they can keep it close, even within 10 points. I do not see that happening, unfortunately. Too many overwhelming mismatches in favor of the Colts.
Predicted Score: Indianapolis Colts--49 San Francisco 49ers--13
Filed Under: 49ers
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