8-7, season basically over, no 1st round picks for the next two seasons, and yet another season without playoffs for Steichen & Ballard. This one was to be expected, the Niners are a very good football
team, with an excellent head coach, and the result of the game was never really in doubt. On to next year.
MVP of the Game: Philip Rivers / Alec Pierce
What a game from Philip Rivers. I never expected him to come in and be as competent as he was, and against the Niners he was actually good. The What if he never retired in 2020 and kept on playing with that young core at the time is another hypotethical scenario that will haunt the franchise.
I had Pierce as one of the biggest losers from Rivers being the starting quarterback because the old timer cannot throw the ball more than 20-yards down the field, but he showed some zip remaining on that arm yesterday, and Pierce finished the game with over 75 yards and two touchdowns, and is rounding up his best season as a pro, right on his contract year.
Dud of the Game: Defense
While the offense finally showed some signs of life, the defense seems to have forgotten everything they did right against the Seahawks, and completely rolled on their backs, allowing 41-points (a Niners touchdown came on a pick-six late in the game). Clearly missing their two starting cornerbacks, there was no way of hiding just how bad the linebackers are in coverage, which made it easier for the Niners to run the ball, and there was just no answer whatsoever. If the defense needs two All-Pro cornerbacks to work consistently, it is probably not a good defense. This offseason the Colts need another pass-rusher to pair with Latu, and a linebacker with competent coverage skills.
Best play of the game: Pierce first touchdown
There was a glimmer of hope there, that perhaps the Colts would manage to deliver a statement win putting them back in the playoff race. Rivers was throwing the ball well, the offense was clicking, and if the defense had showed up to play then perhaps the outcome would have been a different one and we would be celebrating here instead of looking at another wasted season. Also just my two cents, but if Rivers comes in after five years of retirement and plays better than I have ever seen Richardson play a two-game stretch it is time to move on.
Worst play of the game: Any defensive drive
Touchdown- Touchdown – Touchdown- FG – Missed FG – Touchdown – FG – Touchdown – Interception. Those were the Niners’ offensive drives during the game. How this was close during some times is beyond me, because this defensive performance is among the worst I have ever seen in my life from the Colts, and even worse it came in a game they had to win to stay in the playoff race, and were the offense actually did their job.
Unsung hero: Blake Grupe
The Colts would probably have another win if they have signed Grupe right after Shrader went down, as the veteran has been perfect for the Colts and is even nailing some kicks from distance. There will most likely be a kicking competition between him and Shrader next season for the starting job.
Best position group: Vacant
Offensive line was terrible, defensive line was terrible, linebackers and cornerbacks were garbage, receivers were okayish. Perhaps the safeties could have gotten the award, but they mostly did the cleanup role, nothing spectacular.
Rookie of the Week: Tyler Warren
Even though he gets the award, it was not a good game for Warren, who caught just three of his nine targets for 30 yards. He has cooled off over the course of the season after a scorching start, but the talent is certainly there to build and All-Pro caliber career at the tight end position.
