Purdy matches Montana to keep 49ers title bid alive

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 48-27 to maintain their NFC West title hopes. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes.

The 49ers extended their winning streak to five games with the completion of 25 of their 34 passes for 295 yards.

The 49ers defeated a spirited Colts side by running back Christian McCaffrey, who caught two touchdown passes.

Since the legendary Joe Montana in 1990, Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback to score five touchdown passes.

The 49ers are aware that two victories will give them the divisional title and home advantage in the playoffs as they approach their final two regular-season games against the Chicago Bears and the NFC West leaders, the Seattle Seahawks.

The Colts are out of the AFC South title race after their fifth successive defeat, but they could still earn a wildcard spot.

Alec Pierce finished with four catches for 86 yards as the Colts opened the scoring with the help of 44-year-old emergency quarterback Philip Rivers.

However, Purdy quickly took control of the visitors, completing touchdown passes to Demarcus Robinson and McCaffrey quickly in the opening quarter.

Rivers and Pierce made a second-quarter score-settings combination early in the second quarter, but Purdy’s 11-yard pass gave the 49ers a 24-17 lead at half-time.

As the 49ers continued to lead, Purdy found Jauan Jennings and McCaffrey either side of a one-yard touchdown run for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.