The 49ers allowed 27 points on defense. They did record a pick-six at the very end to put the game away, but the Colts were driving before that happened. Had the 49ers not recovered a fumble from their special teams, they would have needed to score on every drive just to have a lead on the Colts.

Trent Williams, Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown were among the 49ers with standout performances in Indianapolis.

Veteran QB Philip Rivers returns to the NFL, setting up a potential Week 16 matchup with the 49ers as San Francisco prepares for a key late-season test.

The San Francisco 49ers defense has been playing above its head all season. They have lost pieces, and while they have struggled at times, they have been good enough to hold a 10-4 record with just three games to play.

The 49ers’ clutch plays on defense could help thwart Sunday’s matchup with rookies Shedeur Sanders and Quinshon Judkins in Cleveland.

The Colts playoff hopes are on life support after this latest loss—as their late season losing skid only continues.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce discusses the team's 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Clark Wade

Two games into his comeback, their postseason hopes barely exist. While the 44-year-old grandfather gave the home fans plenty to cheer about in the first 3 1/2 quarters, San Francisco linebacker Dee Winter made Rivers pay for a late miscue by returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown with 3:26 to play to seal a 48-27 victory — and perhaps the Colts' postseason fate.