Colts vs 49ers Player Stats: Purdy 5 TDs, Ejection & Benching

Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes, a Colts wide receiver got ejected, and the starting quarterback was benched in the fourth quarter. The December 22 matchup between the Colts and the 49ers delivered exactly the kind of wild moments you don’t see every week.

Final Score: 49ers 48, Colts 27 (ESPN) ·
Brock Purdy TD Passes: 5 (career high, ESPN) ·
49ers Win Streak: 5 games (ESPN) ·
Colts QB Benched: Anthony Richardson (4th quarter) ·
Colts WR Ejected: Alec Pierce (3rd quarter)

Who is favored, Colts or 49ers?

What were the betting odds for the game?

The 49ers entered Monday Night Football as 6.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 44.5, according to FOX Sports betting lines. That spread reflected the market’s confidence in San Francisco’s roster, even playing on the road in Indianapolis.

How did the betting line shift?

Early-week lines had the 49ers as 5.5-point favorites, but the number moved to 6.5 by kickoff as money came in on the road team. The final score of 48-27 meant the 49ers not only won but covered the spread comfortably, and the combined 75 points sailed well over the 44.5 total.

The implication: Betting lines correctly identified a talent gap that the final score only confirmed. The 49ers covering by 14.5 points suggests the spread might have been too generous to the home underdog.

Who won between the 49ers and Colts today?

Final score and key stats

The ESPN box score confirmed the 49ers won 48-27. Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes with zero interceptions, a performance that CBS Sports called the defining stat line of Week 16.

Game summary by quarter

The USA Today live update thread tracked a game that was close for only one quarter. San Francisco built a 24-10 halftime lead, then extended it in the third quarter before Indianapolis could recover from the Pierce ejection and Richardson benching.

• First quarter: 49ers take early lead; Purdy connects with Kittle for a touchdown
• Halftime: 49ers lead 24-10
• Third quarter: Alec Pierce ejected; 49ers extend lead
• Fourth quarter: Anthony Richardson benched; 49ers win 48-27

What this means: The 49ers controlled the game from start to finish, and the final score understates how one-sided the contest was for most of its duration. San Francisco’s win also clinched a playoff berth, according to the 49ers official recap.

Who was ejected from the Colts game today?

Details of Alec Pierce’s ejection

Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce was ejected in the third quarter for making contact with an official. The incident occurred after a play, and the ejection was announced by the officiating crew. The exact circumstances that led to the contact remain unclear — whether it was intentional or incidental — but the rule is strict: any physical contact with a game official results in automatic ejection.

Impact on the game

Pierce’s ejection removed one of the Colts’ downfield threats at a moment when the offense needed every weapon available to keep pace with Purdy’s aerial attack. The Colts were already trailing, and losing a starter for the remainder of the game effectively ended any comeback hopes.

The trade-off: The Colts lost not just a receiver but also the ability to field a full offensive complement against a 49ers defense that was already feasting on a short-handed opponent.

Why did the Colts QB get benched?

Anthony Richardson benching reasons

Anthony Richardson was benched in the fourth quarter, with many Colts players reportedly learning of the decision via social media rather than from the coaching staff, according to the Yahoo Sports live coverage. Head coach Shane Steichen’s explanation of the benching will likely be scrutinized in the days following the game — whether it was performance-based, precautionary due to injury, or a longer-term evaluation decision.

Colts’ quarterback situation post-game

The benching adds further uncertainty to a Colts quarterback situation that has already been fluid throughout the 2025 season. With the team now on a five-game losing streak, according to the Colts’ official recap, the decision to pull Richardson raises questions about his status as the starter going forward.

Why this matters: The chaotic communication — teammates learning of the benching through social media — suggests a breakdown in internal team processes. For a franchise already reeling from five straight losses, the quarterback controversy is the last thing Indianapolis needs.

What were the final player stats for the Colts vs 49ers?

Passing stats: Purdy vs Richardson

Five statistics, one dominant pattern: Brock Purdy outplayed Anthony Richardson by a massive margin, throwing five touchdowns to zero interceptions while Richardson was benched before the end of the game.

Receiving and rushing leaders

George Kittle led the 49ers’ receiving attack with eight receptions for 85 yards, according to CBS Sports. The full box score, including all receiving and rushing totals, is available at ESPN, Colts.com, and CBS Sports.

Defensive standouts

The 49ers defense held the Colts to manageable gains through most of the game, forcing the benching of Richardson. The Colts’ defense, by contrast, allowed 441 total yards according to their official recap, with 312 net yards reported in the CBS Sports feed.

The pattern: The 49ers’ offensive explosion wasn’t just about Purdy — it was a total team performance against a Colts defense that had no answer for San Francisco’s multiple weapons.

The implication: Purdy’s career night exposed a Colts defense that lacked the depth to contain San Francisco’s passing game, a problem that will require offseason investment to fix.

“Brock was in complete command tonight. He read the defense, found the open guy, and delivered the ball on time. That’s the quarterback we need.”

— 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, post-game press conference (paraphrased from game coverage)

“We had to make a decision that gave us the best chance to compete. The quarterback change was a football decision.”

— Colts head coach Shane Steichen, on Richardson benching (paraphrased from game coverage)

“Five touchdowns and no picks — that’s the kind of night every quarterback dreams about. But the win is what matters.”

— Brock Purdy, reacting to career-high performance (paraphrased from post-game interviews)

“Contact with an official is an automatic ejection. The rule is clear even if the intent is not.”

— NFL Network analyst, on Alec Pierce ejection ruling (paraphrased from broadcast)

The December 22 game gave 49ers fans plenty to celebrate: a playoff-clinching win, Purdy’s breakout performance, and a fifth straight victory. For Colts fans, the questions are harder. A five-game losing streak, a benched quarterback whose teammates found out on social media, and an ejection that sealed the game’s fate raise difficult questions about the direction of the franchise. For Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard, the choice is clear: stabilize the quarterback room and rebuild defensive depth this offseason, or face another year of the same uncertainty.

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