Preview and Prediction: 49ers at Colts

We’re getting closer and closer to game day in Indianapolis, as the Colts look to keep their undefeated season alive when they take on the 49ers. There’s a lot of different areas that could effect the outcome of this one, so let’s take a look at some key things for the Colts, and figure out who has the advantage in this one.

HOW THE COLTS CAN WIN

The Colts need to keep doing what they’re doing. That might sound a little cliche, but it has worked for them so far this season. Peyton Manning is playing some of the best football of his career, and if they can keep protecting him like they have been, there’s not a secondary in the league that can stop him. He’s turned average receivers into playmakers, so they must continue to put the ball in the air.

WHY THE COLTS COULD LOSE

The only glaring weakness we’ve seen from the Colts all season has been the rush defense. And you bet that Niners’ coach Mike Singletary wants to give the Colts a heavy dose of Frank Gore this week on the ground. For some reason, despite their outstanding play everywhere else, the Colts are still struggling to stop the run. While I have confidence in the amount of points that the Colts can score, they don’t want to get in a hole early just because they can’t stop the run.

COLTS’ X-FACTOR

To me, this has got to be Dwight Freeney. Freeney was back at practice on Friday, despite battling the knee injury, so he should be good to go for tomorrow’s game. If Freeney can get a lot of pressure on Alex Smith, sort of like he did in the meeting with Kurt Warner and the Cardinals earlier this season, the Niners have no shot. Smith isn’t the most accurate quarterback without pressure, and if Freeney is all over him all the time, it’s going to be hard for them to get any type of passing game going.

WHO WILL WIN?

This game sort of scares me a little bit, and no, not just because it’s Halloween weekend. The Niners have looked rough the last few weeks, but they are a better football team than they’ve shown in those two games.

But, the Colts are undefeated, and a Peyton Manning-lead team doesn’t lose these kinds of games. The Colts want to keep the momentum going, and they will.

Prediction: Colts 28, 49ers 17

What are your thoughts on this week’s game?