Monday Night Primer: 49ers With Much to Gain, Little to Lose vs. Colts

The San Francisco 49ers (10-4) have a colossal matchup with the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) on Monday Night Football. And while there is plenty at stake for the Niners, it appears to be more stress-free for San Francisco than Indianapolis.

The Colts are staring into playoff elimination while the Niners are looking at a potential No. 1 seed if they play their cards right. That said, there isn't the risk of playoff elimination with a loss against the Colts as the 49ers are all but locked into a wild card spot. So with much to gain and little to lose we could see a more stress-free performance from San Francisco on Monday night.

The matchup can be looked at in a few ways for the well-beloved team out west. In a way it is a coronation of another playoff team with San Francisco having the chance to pretty much solidify wild card status in the game. In another sense, a win keeps the team's chances at a No. 1 seed in view.

San Francisco is looking to keep pace with the Las Angeles Rams who are now 11-4 after Sunday's games. The division leading Seattle Seahawks are 12-3 thanks to a huge win over the Rams in their last time on the field.

The Niners of course will have a chance to knock off the division leaders in Seattle and a potential top seed contender in Chicago in their remaining games. Defeating Indianapolis simply keeps San Francisco on track to get their shot at the NFC's allocated bye week for the top spot in the league.

Across from the 49ers stands a well-known and well-respected quarterback in former San Diego Chargers and current Indianapolis Colts great Philip Rivers. The perhaps likely future Hall of Fame inductee proved he has the mind to play the position at a high level. Despite his aging arm, Rivers showed he still sees the field perhaps better than ever at an old age. The savvy 44-year-old veteran's mind allows him to overcome the physical setbacks of his age.

Despite what Rivers brings to the table, he does lack the arm strength perhaps to drive the ball downfield like other NFL quarterbacks can or like he once did. Add in years of retirement and Rivers isn't as mobile as he once was even late in his career.

What is for certain is Niners fans will be eager to tune into the game and perhaps as care-free as their team might be on Monday night. San Francisco will look to improve to 11-4 and keep its No. 1 seed hopes alive with a win.