3 ways 49ers end up beating Colts on Sunday Night Football

No. 1: 49ers must take advantage of banged-up Colts secondary

Of course, neither team is going to solely rely on the run game to pull off a victory in Week 7.

It’s looking more and more like Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start over Trey Lance, the latter being banged up with a knee injury anyway. And while there’s also the need to both infuse Brandon Aiyuk back into the offense, all the while having to overcome the absence of tight end George Kittle, who’s on injured reserve with a calf injury, Garoppolo and Co. can at least take some comfort knowing the Colts secondary is neither good nor deep.

In fact, it’s downright going through some serious injury attrition of its own.

Read More: Brandon Aiyuk must be featured more in 49ers offense

Indianapolis enters this game allowing 7.4 yards per pass attempt, which ranks 27th entering this week’s slate of games. And that was before a number of injuries began to pile up, the latest including free safety Julian Blackmon, who’ll be out for the rest of the year with a torn Achilles suffered in practice this week.

Additionally, backup safety Andrew Sendejo is coming off the concussion protocol, while cornerback Rock Ya-Sin is dealing with an ankle injury and also missed practice.

If there’s ever been an opportunity for Garoppolo to have a “get right” game through the air, this should be it. Even if the weather isn’t a positive factor.

The Niners and Colts kick off their Sunday Night Football matchup on Oct. 24 at 5:20 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.