Purdy elevates the offense, Williams dominates the line, and Piñeiro displays historic kicking range in the 49ers' dominant victory.
The San Francisco 49ers continued to look every bit like a Super Bowl contender with a convincing road win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. Against a veteran quarterback, a physical environment, and playoff pressure, the 49ers delivered another complete performance. Here are the biggest takeaways from the victory.
1. Brock Purdy Is Playing Like the Best Young QB in Football
Outplaying a 44-year-old Philip Rivers, a quarterback worthy of every ounce of respect and a future Hall of Famer, Brock Purdy once again proved he belongs in elite company among the league’s young signal callers.
Purdy finished the night completing 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns, posting a 126.8 passer rating. He was decisive, aggressive, and in complete control of Kyle Shanahan’s offense from start to finish. More importantly, he elevated everyone around him, spreading the ball and attacking every level of the field. Left Tackle Trent Williams said in the post game press conference “You know, when you’re in that huddle, there’s only one voice speaking, right? And you’ve got 10 grown men staring at you, and you can’t fool grown men, right? The confidence that he has in that huddle no matter what phase of the game, those long play-calls, just getting everybody where they need to be, I mean — from A to Z he does it at a really high level. I say it all the time — he’s a god send, man, for us to get him where we got him. Obviously, he’s getting what he deserves now. But … he’s still the same guy. Still the same guy from his rookie year. He’s just a baller, man.”
While Rivers showed flashes of his old brilliance, this was a reminder that the torch is firmly in Purdy’s hands. Few young quarterbacks combine efficiency, confidence, and command the way Purdy does right now. Purdy is the only quarterback in the league who has beaten all the “old greats” (Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, ect.) and has done so all before the age of 26.
2. Trent Williams Is the Best Offensive Lineman in Football — Full Stop
There are elite offensive linemen, and then there is Trent Williams operating on a different tier altogether.
Williams once again dominated in both phases, earning a 91.0 PFF offensive grade while allowing minimal disruption off the edge. His run blocking continues to unlock everything the 49ers want to do offensively, and his pass protection gives Purdy the freedom to let routes develop downfield.
At this point, the debate is over. Williams isn’t just the best left tackle, he’s the best offensive lineman in the league.
3. Eddy Piñeiro Has Legitimate Range From Historic Distance
It might be time to redraw the field goal line for Eddy Piñeiro.
Based on his ball flight, leg strength, and consistency, Piñeiro looks good from 63.75 yards (possibly 64 yards with the wind at his back). That kind of range fundamentally changes game strategy and gives Kyle Shanahan scoring opportunities most teams simply don’t have.
In a league where margins matter, Piñeiro’s leg is a weapon. Incredible that this happened only two weeks clear of a hamstring injury as well.
4. Robert Saleh Continues to Build a Relentless Defense
Week after week, Robert Saleh’s defense shows up prepared, physical, and disciplined. Regardless of injuries or personnel changes, they have been at the very worst bend don’t break.
The 49ers pressured Rivers consistently, forced tight windows, and controlled the tempo defensively. Saleh’s ability to maximize young players, rotate bodies, and maintain structure is a testament to elite coaching. This unit doesn’t rely on one star, since they’re all hurt, it wins with cohesion, effort, and execution.
Simply put, Saleh is one hell of a coach.
5. Christian McCaffrey Is Chasing History — Again
Christian McCaffrey’s season is bordering on the absurd.
He is now just 136 receiving yards away from becoming the first player in NFL history to record two seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Already the owner of one such season, McCaffrey continues to redefine what a workhorse back looks like in the modern NFL.
Whether lining up in the backfield or split wide, McCaffrey remains the engine of the offense and somehow, he’s still getting better.
The 49ers won in Indianapolis but they also sent a reminder to the rest of the league. This team is balanced, dangerous, and rolling at the right time.