Lefko: A bold offseason has Seahawks on brink of history<\/a><\/p>\n San Francisco (11-4) finishes the season with games at home against the Chicago Bears and NFC-leading Seattle Seahawks. With wins in both of those, the 49ers would clinch home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs and would be two wins away from playing in the Super Bowl in their home stadium on Feb. 8.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s obviously the reality of what could happen if we just take it one game at a time,\u201d quarterback Brock Purdy said. \u201cBut for us, once we get in the playoffs and everything too, that\u2019s going to be a brawl in itself. So, that\u2019s a whole other road for us, man. We\u2019ve got to go put on a good showcase and win the game on Sunday against Chicago.\u201d<\/p>\n The 49ers were tested for a while against 44-year-old Philip Rivers and the banged-up Colts but a nearly flawless offensive performance led by Purdy and a late pick-6 by Dee Winters let them pull away for the comfortable win.<\/p>\n The competition will be tougher the next two weeks, but if Purdy and the offense can maintain this level they have a chance in any game. Purdy became the first San Francisco QB to throw at least five TD passes in a game since Steve Young had six in Super Bowl 29 against the San Diego Chargers in a signature performance.<\/p>\n NFC West Check-In: Cardinals injuries could have long-lasting effects<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s playing pretty consistent in how he\u2019s played,\u201d coach Kyle Shanahan said. \u201cI think Brock has played a pretty high level since he got in this league, and I honestly think, I think he\u2019s playing very well, but I think he\u2019s always played pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n Christian McCaffrey ran for 117 yards and caught two TD passes in one of his most productive games of the season.<\/p>\n That kept punter Thomas Morstead on the sideline for the second straight week as San Francisco went back-to-back games without punting for the first time in franchise history.<\/p>\n What\u2019s working<\/p>\n Passing game. Purdy was nearly perfect against the Colts outside of a late interception when he threw high over the middle in the fourth quarter. He finished 25 for 34 for 295 yards, throwing touchdown passes on San Francisco\u2019s first three drives of the game. Purdy has thrown 13 TD passes in five games since returning from a toe injury, leading the Niners to wins in all five.<\/p>\n What needs help<\/p>\n Shanahan\u2019s replay challenges. Shanahan fell to 1 for 4 on replay challenges this season when he threw the flag following a completion to Michael Pittman in the third quarter. The initial replays made it look like a clean catch and the call was upheld, costing San Francisco a timeout. Shanahan then didn\u2019t challenge a potential TD throw to Jake Tonges that was ruled out of bounds even though a replay showed he might have dragged his second foot in the end zone. It ended up not mattering when Purdy threw a TD pass to McCaffrey on the next play.<\/p>\n Stock up<\/p>\n Rookie defensive linemen. The Niners got the first career sacks from rookies Alfred Collins and C.J. West, raising the team total to an NFL-low 18 on the season. This marked the first time since 2016 that San Francisco got sacks from two rookies in the same game with DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair doing it in Week 16 that season against the Rams.\u2019<\/p>\n Stock down<\/p>\n Pass defense. San Francisco got carved up for much of the night by Rivers. After throwing for just 120 yards in his first game out of retirement, Rivers threw for 277 yards and two TDs against the Niners, leading the Colts to three touchdowns and two field goals on their first six drives.<\/p>\n Injuries<\/p>\n TE George Kittle left the game with an ankle injury and didn\u2019t return. Kittle said after the game that he believed he avoided a high ankle sprain but the team is uncertain whether he will be able to play this week.<\/p>\n Key stat<\/p>\n 6 \u2014 The 49ers became the sixth team in the regular season or playoffs since at least 1960 to go back-to-back games without punting. The Colts did it earlier this season.<\/p>\n Next steps<\/p>\n The 49ers host Chicago on Sunday night.<\/p>\n
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