49ers-Colts Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: 49ers-Colts

SCOUTING REPORT

49ers-Colts: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's 49ers-Colts matchup. 1. San Francisco needs to get physical on offense early. The 49ers have started off the season with a strong, physical ground game that's backed up with an efficient passing attack working off of the play-action fake. The Colts have an undersized defense that relies on explosive quickness, speed and athleticism. San Francisco will want to attack the front seven with that aggressive ground game so it can open up the rest of its offense.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
SFO	4-6	208	210	3-2	1-4	3-0	4-3
IND	10-0	269	157	5-0	5-0	3-0	6-0
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

San Francisco Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Smith 61.3 1035 9 7 Hill 56.1 943 5 2

Indianapolis Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Mannin... 69.8 3171 21 9 Addai 100.0 22 1 0

San Francisco Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Gore 112 610 5.4 6 Coffee 75 198 2.6 1

Indianapolis Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Addai 145 514 3.5 7 Brown 54 236 4.4 2

San Francisco Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Davis 51 601 11.8 8 Morgan 24 305 12.7 1

Indianapolis Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Wayne 76 968 12.7 8 Clark 65 771 11.9 4

Full Player Stats: San Francisco | Indianapolis

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	SFO	279.0
	IND	399.0
Yards Passing	SFO	179.5
	IND	313.5
Yards Rushing	SFO	99.0
	IND	85.0
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	SFO	350.8
	IND	325.8
Pass Yds Allowed	SFO	256.1
	IND	218.2
Rush Yds Allowed	SFO	94.7
	IND	107.6

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Indianapolis leads 2-1
Oct 9, 2005	SFO 3, @IND 28
Nov 25, 2001	SFO 40, IND 21

Staying unbeaten through October would be impressive by nearly any other NFL team's standards, but to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, it's practically evolved into an annual expectation.

As they try to move to 7-0 for the fourth time in five years, the Colts can extend their franchise-record regular-season winning streak to 16 on Sunday when they begin a three-game homestand against the San Francisco 49ers.

Indianapolis (6-0) was hardly convincing in its first two victories, beating Jacksonville by two points at home and surviving to win 27-23 at Miami despite having possession for fewer than 15 minutes.

The Colts, however, have been dominant in winning their last four games, albeit against opponents with a combined 6-19 record. They've won by an average of 24.0 points, and came out of their bye week to throttle St. Louis 42-6 last Sunday in the most lopsided victory of Manning's 12-year NFL career.

"Coming off a bye week, you never know how guys are going to respond or react," tight end Dallas Clark told the Colts' official Web site. "We came out with a purpose, and that shows you the leadership on this team. ... We have a lot of guys who have been around the block a few times."

No rookie coach since the 1970 merger has won his first seven games, but Indianapolis' Jim Caldwell has a chance to do that Sunday along with Denver's Josh McDaniels.

The Broncos and New Orleans are also 6-0, but an undefeated start to the season is hardly new to Indianapolis. Including the Saints and Broncos, there have been nine teams since 2005 to begin a season with at least six straight victories. Four of those unblemished records have belonged to the Colts, who have extended their record to at least 7-0 on each previous occasion.

Manning has again been the catalyst, averaging 313.3 yards passing, throwing for 15 touchdowns and leading the league with a 114.5 passer rating. He's had no Marvin Harrison for the first time in his career, No. 2 receiver Anthony Gonzalez has been out since injuring his knee in Week 1 and top target Reggie Wayne suffered a groin injury against the Rams.

While Wayne's groin issue doesn't appear to be serious, rookie running back Donald Brown hurt his shoulder last Sunday and could sit out this game. Gonzalez appears to be at least a week away from playing.

Though Manning has played at an All-Pro level, Indianapolis' defense has been impressive as well. The Colts are second in scoring defense (12.8 points per game) and ninth overall (291.7 yards per game). They haven't allowed a touchdown in eight quarters even while missing injured cornerback Marlin Jackson, who isn't expected to play Sunday, but safety Bob Sanders -- the 2007 defensive player of the year -- returned last week after missing the first five games following knee surgery.

"It's been a lot of fun," safety Antoine Bethea said. "Everybody is making plays, from the defensive line to the linebackers to the defensive backs. It's great when you can go out and have a good time and not have a lot of stress."

The Colts are beginning their first three-game homestand since 1999 against San Francisco (3-3), which has the NFL's 29th-ranked offense (272.0 ypg) but is armed with a new starting quarterback.

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith, largely deemed a bust after three ineffective seasons and a 2008 lost due to a shoulder injury, relieved Shaun Hill after halftime Sunday in Houston with San Francisco in a 21-0 hole.

Smith couldn't complete the comeback but looked sharp, completing 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns before a late interception sealed the 49ers' 24-21 loss.

On Monday, coach Mike Singletary announced Smith will start over Hill in Indianapolis.

"I don't know if I'd say surprised. I don't know if I was anticipating it, either," Smith said. "It's the opportunity I've been waiting for -- (I'm) happy."

All three of Smith's touchdowns went to tight end Vernon Davis, but he also completed three passes to rookie Michael Crabtree, who was making his NFL debut after ending his lengthy holdout. Crabtree finished with five receptions for 56 yards.

"All of the hard work that he did while he wasn't here, it showed," Singletary said. "All of the studying that he did while he wasn't here, it showed. So it was good to see."

Tailback Frank Gore returned after missing three games with an ankle injury but was held to 32 yards on 13 carries, and it might not get any easier against the Colts. Right tackle Tony Pashos broke his left shoulder blade against Houston, ending his season in the first game he was replacing Adam Snyder.

Manning is 1-2 in his career against San Francisco, throwing six interceptions. Two of those came in the last meeting but the Colts won 28-3 on Oct. 9, 2005, as Smith went 9 of 23 for 74 yards and four interceptions in his first NFL start.

Source: 49ers drop tampering charges vs. Jets

San Francisco 49ers president Jed York is dropping the team's tampering charge against the New York Jets over Michael Crabtree, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

MacGregor: It isn't about Belichick; it's about us

Was Bill Belichick right to go for it against the Colts? Do clothes make the man? What would Jean-Paul Belmondo do? And which way is the wind blowing today?

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Santa Clara approves financing plan for 49ers stadium

Nearly three years after Santa Clara's hopes of landing an NFL stadium came to life, the City Council early this morning carried that dream over yet another key hurdle ? approving a long-awaited financing plan with the San Francisco 49ers.

CB Bly blows into camp

"My instincts are still very instinctive," he said. Good to know. When Walt Harris tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee two weeks ago, the 49ers were in need of a top-flight cornerback.

Newsom to Santa Clara: Don't build stadium

The Santa Clara City Council may decide tonight to bless a $937 million stadium project for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sharing stadium not such bad idea

THE ONLY ABSOLUTE about a sports team seeking a new home is the presence of anger.

Singletary's 'intensity' could be rallying point for middling 49ers

The new uniforms bring to mind the San Francisco 49ers of the championship years.

Indianapolis Colts defense won't see wholesale changes

The Indianapolis Colts brought in Larry Coyer to replace Ron Meeks as coordinator, not oversee an extensive renovation of the defense.

Brackett: I'll be ready for Colts camp

Gary Brackett anticipates being ready for the start of training camp as the Indianapolis Colts' veteran linebacker continues to recover from a broken right leg that forced him to miss the end of the 2008 season.

Manning challenges youngsters to emerge as third receiver

The Indianapolis Colts' roster lists nine receivers, so depth isn't a concern, though for the first time since 1995, the collection doesn't include Marvin Harrison. Proven depth is another matter entirely.

Colts' Jackson, Hart recovering quickly

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson and running back Mike Hart labor on different sides of the ball, but they are recovering from similar injuries and chasing identical timetables.

Brackett energized about Colts coaches

Colts linebacker Gary Brackett honored Canterbury students Thursday for raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.