There will be a lot of people tuning into the Week 16 edition of Monday Night Football when the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers go head-to-head with the 8-6 Indianapolis Colts. The Niners secured a playoff berth after the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Now, they'll need a win if they want to possibly earn the number-one seed in the NFC playoff race. On the other side, a victory could go a long way in helping Indy sneak into the AFC playoffs.

Perhaps the most interesting storyline coming into this game is Colts starting quarterback Philip Rivers, who - at 44 years old - came out of retirement and started his first game since January 2021 last weekend, an 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

“As the game just got going, I was just thankful. Grateful that I was out there. It was a blast. But obviously, the emotions now are disappointment,” Rivers said after the game. “This isn't about me. We had a team that was scrapping like crazy to try to stay alive and get in the postseason. So, obviously, we're all disappointed, came up just short… We didn't find a way to get it done is the bottom line.”

Four days after Rivers was signed to the Colts' practice squad, he was starting against the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks.

“I mean, he was here for three days of practice, and now, he's got a full week under his belt being around the guys. Just the different things you can do at the line of scrimmage will be good,” said head coach Shane Steichen on Thursday. “Each week, the gameplan will obviously be different, but we're excited for this week.”

One piece of good news on the defensive side of the ball is the return of lineman DeForest Buckner, who hasn't played since November 2nd due to a neck injury. Shane Steichen said that Buckner should be able to play tonight.

“It's definitely getting better, for sure,” Buckner told reporters on December 19th. “We’re just taking it one day at a time. Seeing how practice goes each and every day.”

In terms of preparing for the San Francisco 49ers, Indy will have its hands full containing running back Christian McCaffrey, who is once again having a Pro Bowl season. McCaffrey is nearing the 1,000-yard mark in rushing and receiving and ranks third in the NFL in scrimmage yards per game (124.4)

“He does as well running it as he does catching the ball. Just a terrific athlete. Very, very savvy football player,” said Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “He's in the tops in the league both in catches and in rushing attempts. He presents such a huge problem, and the offense obviously goes through him. Everybody knows that every week, yet he still has his production. So it presents a challenge.”

Though the 49ers have already clinched a playoff spot, they're currently slated to be the sixth seed in the NFC. After the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams to take control of the one-seed in the conference, the Niners have some extra motivation going into tonight's game.

"Obviously, it's one week at a time," safety Jason Pinnock said on Friday. "But, we'd be lying if we said we weren't a little juiced up looking at our TVs last night."

If the 49ers win the rest of their games, they will be the number-one seed in the NFC. While quarterback Brock Purdy said that scenario is "nice," he knows that San Fran can't get too far ahead of itself.

“We really do have to take it one day at a time because, if we don't obviously take care of business this week, then none of that matters,” he told reporters last week. “For us, it's how can we continue to get better, just even this week at practice. Handle business on Monday and make that everything right now. So, that's where we have to be.”

Similar to the Colts, the Niners have to focus their defensive efforts on stopping Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor, who is second in rushing (1,443 yards) and first in ground yards per game (103.1). This could be problematic for a unit that has allowed 274 rushing yards in its last two games.

“There's been some good, some bad. [I] didn't like the way we finished last week. I take responsibility for that fourth quarter,” explained defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. “We're up three scores with nine minutes to go, playing more pass defense than run defense, and they - I think - got about 57 yards on that last drive and a little over 50 yards in the run game. It's definitely got to be firmer.”

Even with a 44-year-old starting quarterback who was technically retired from the NFL two weeks ago, Robert Saleh is not going to underestimate the Colts' offense, which still ranks sixth in points per game despite recent struggles.

“I feel like they're absolutely loaded on offense,” Saleh said. “All their skill guys. All three receivers, the tight end, the backs, and, obviously, Philip being more than capable of being able to distribute the football anywhere on the football field. Their o-line is really, really good. You could see why they were just absolutely steamrolling people. It's a damn good group.”

Prediction for San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) @ Indianapolis Colts

With Sauce Gardner unlikely to play tonight and DeForest Buckner returning to the lineup, the 49ers will come out swinging and try to make things happen through the air to get an early lead. That shouldn't be much of a problem, considering Indy has allowed 286.5 passing yards on average during its four-game losing streak. After they go up by two scores, we can expect a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey as the game wears on. Indy might have the fourth-best run defense in the NFL (95.1 yards per game), but it has faltered in that area recently, allowing 109.8 yards per game in its last five matchups. Even with DeForest Buckner back in the mix, he and the rest of the Colts' defense will be worn down by the fourth quarter, which is when McCaffrey will blow this game open.

Prediction: 49ers 23 - 17 Colts

How to watch San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) @ Indianapolis Colts

49ers @ Colts starts at 8:15 p.m. EDT at Lucas Oil Stadium. You can watch it on ESPN or ABC, or stream it via the ESPN app or YouTubeTV.

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling:

• Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-Call GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org

• CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY – Call 1-800-GAMBLER

• AZ- Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP

• IA – Call 1-800-BETS-OFF

• KS, NV – Call 1-800-522-4700

• KY – Call 1-800 GAMBLER, 18+

• MI – Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help

• MA – Call 1-800-327-5050

• NC – Call – 1-800-662-4357

• NY- Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it is important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.

While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.

The following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:

21+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER