Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Colts: Full Week 5 preview for San Francisco

By Logan Stanley

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

A quarter of the season is gone, and the San Francisco 49ers still have yet to win a game. The 49ers are now off to the Midwest to take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Week 5 matchup. Here is the preview with the latest news, X-factors, injuries and much more.

Four games in the 2017 campaign, and four losses for the San Francisco 49ers. Not the start the new 49ers brass envisioned, but the context of those losses must be scrutinized.

Although their record says otherwise, San Francisco is not playing like one of the worst teams in the league. Despite dropping their first four contests of the season, the 49ers sit at No. 29 in the latest ESPN NFL power rankings and No. 24 in the USA Today Sports NFL power rankings.

From ESPN:

"The 49ers are building for the future. The good news is all the young pass-rushers San Francisco has drafted appear to be paying off. The Niners are pressuring quarterbacks at the sixth-highest rate through four weeks. They did so at the fifth-lowest rate last season. Progress."

From USA Today:

"Should they be ranked ahead of teams who have wins? We say yes given Niners have lost last three by combined eight points against quality foes."

Yes, the team is winless. But there are a handful of games that could have gone in favor of San Francisco. The defense has shown vast improvements, especially in the pass rushing and rush defense department.

While the offense is lacking so far, running back Carlos Hyde has been a bright spot. In a crucial contract year for Hyde, the Ohio State product has opened 2017 with a ferociousness.

In a Week 5 road game, the 49ers are off to Indianapolis to face the Colts as San Francisco looks to avoid an 0-5 start. The last time the 49ers went 0-5 to begin a season? Back in 2010 when Mike Singletary was the head coach.