When the Colts (2-4) travel to take on the 49ers (2-3) in "Sunday Night Football" (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) in the penultimate game of NFL Week 7, it will be a matchup of two teams trying to get back on the playoff track. Indianapolis, a wild card from the AFC South last season, has started slowly with a tough schedule. San Francisco, which had an injury-riddled 2020 after a Super Bowl run the season before, wants to play more like 2019.
Indianapolis has wins over Miami and Houston. San Francisco is coming off a bye but has lost three straight since starting 2-0 with wins over Detroit and Philadelphia. That makes this a key crossover crossroads game.
The Colts will hope Carson Wentz keeps playing well, while the 49ers count on Jimmy Garoppolo starting again.
Here's everything to know about betting on 49ers vs. Colts in Week 7, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Sunday Night Football."
49ers vs.Colts odds for 'Sunday Night Football'
- Spread: 49ers by 4.5
- Over/under: 44.5
- Moneyine: Colts +184, 49ers -220
(betting odds per FanDuel Sportsbook)
The line has grown bigger in the 49ers' favor after being around a field goal early in the week with news of better health. The Colts are playing better with their run-heavy and defensive formula. The 49ers will try to forge that identity again.
49ers vs. Colts all-time series
The Colts lead the series 26-19. They have won four straight meetings going back to 2005 and five of seven. Before 1995, the 49ers had a five-game winning streak. Before 1969, the Colts had a 13-game winning streak.
Three trends to know
—52 percent of spread bettors are siding with the Colts now that the number has expanded past four points for the 49ers.
—72 percent of over/under bettors like the game to go over given the offenses are underrated and the defenses have been rather inflated based on the past.
—The Colts are 4-6 straight up and 5-5 against the spread in their past 10 games with the total going over in half of those games. The 49ers are 3-7 SU and 3-7 ATS in their past 10 with half of those games going over, too.
Three things to watch
Who will run for the 49ers?
There will be no Lance doing that at quarterback. Rookie Elijah Mitchell figures to get the first crack at feature back duties, but rookie Trey Sermon and returning JaMycal Hasty are also in the mix. San Francisco's traditionally strong rushing offense has not been a big factor this season. They need that to change vs. Indianapolis to win.
Will Jonathan Taylor stay red-hot?
After a slow first three games with reined-in usage, Taylor has gone nuts in the past three games rushing and receiving for the Colts. He has 52 touches for 441 yards from scrimmage and 5 TDs. The 49ers must run effectively and also slow down Taylor on the other side.
Deebo vs. the Colts' secondary
Deebo Samuel has been unleashed as a big-play weapon as expected for the 49ers with tight end George Kittle on the shelf and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still working himself out of the proverbial doghouse. The Colts go in with a lot of health concerns at safety and cornerback and Samuel is a hard cover because he sees passes all over the field short to deep. Expect him to be busy for Jimmy G.and put together a game-changing night.
Stat that matters
3-2. That's Kyle Shanahan's record after a bye as head coach of the 49ers. His father Mike was adept his getting his team ready to play at a high level following a break. This time, the bye also allowed the 49ers to get healthier in a few places and prepare well for the Colts' offense.
49ers vs. Colts prediction
The Colts will come in and play well as both teams like to lean on the running game and defense. Taylor keeps the Colts in the game while the 49ers try to maximize a young committee. It will take a few big pass play to win this game, however, and Wentz has limited key weapons in relation to Garoppolo with whom to attack San Francisco.
49ers 27, Colts 23