Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, December 22, 2025, 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: ESPN
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: START, QB1
Brock Purdy played his best game of the season against the Titans. Shocker, I know. Purdy threw three touchdowns for the second time this season and also ran for 44 yards. The Colts’ defense is not as strong as it was a few weeks ago, but it is still a tougher matchup than Tennessee. However, Purdy is playing really well and is a solid start in any format.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: START, RB1
Brian Robinson Jr.: SIT
Christian McCaffrey is an automatic start in all formats, but did you know that he spends his holidays fulfilling a promise to a late fan? In December 2024, he played Santa at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, delivering gifts and gaming consoles to young patients as part of The Logan Project, a foundation he created to honor 12-year-old Logan Hale, who wished for hospitalized kids to have video games to connect with friends.
Wide Receiver
Ricky Pearsall
Jauan Jennings: START, WR2
Demarcus Robinson: SIT
Ricky Pearsall was having his best game of the season before having to leave the 49ers’ Week 15 matchup against the Titans after aggravating his knee injury and is unlikely to play in Week 16. Jauan Jennings came down with two touchdowns against Tennessee, his sixth in as many games, and is a must-start against the Colts. Indy has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points and a league-high 13.6 receptions per game to the position.
Tight End
George Kittle: START, TE1
George Kittle is a permanent fixture in your starting lineup, but did you know that he spent this holiday season delivering cheer with the same intensity he brings to the field? In December 2024, he donned a Santa hat to personally load cars with turkeys and gifts at the 49ers’ Spirit of Giving event, ensuring hundreds of Bay Area families had a holiday feast. The Colts are a top-ten matchup for tight ends, and with the way Purdy has been playing, Kittle could once again feast himself in the fantasy semifinals.
Defense/Special Teams
San Francisco 49ers: START
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Philip Rivers: DAGGUMIT
It was obvious Philip Rivers still has the mind for the game, but a wet noodle of an arm, and the Colts’ O-line wasn’t doing him any favors. Rivers had just 2.3 seconds to throw, the second-shortest amount of time this season, only to Max Brosmer, who actually had under 2 seconds. Rivers completed 18 of 27 attempts for 120 yards and was able to throw a touchdown. His lone interception was on the Colts’ last-minute desperation drive. It’s a really cool story, but outside of the most desperate situations in Superflex (which I happened to have last week), the 44-year-old Rivers isn’t a serious option for fantasy football.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: START, RB1
Even with Rivers under center, Jonathan Taylor is a must-start RB1 due to his ludicrous upside. But did you know that he once set the gold standard for holiday gift giving? To thank his offensive line for paving the way to a rushing title, he played Santa by gifting the entire unit Louis Vuitton travel bags, a legendary Christmas moment captured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that raised the bar for running back generosity.
Wide Receiver | Tight End
Michael Pittman Jr.: START, WR3
Alec Pierce: SIT
Josh Downs: FLEX, WR4
Tyler Warren: STREAMER
Rivers under center renders most of the Colts’ receivers rather useless. Michael Pittman Jr. led the way with five targets but racked up just 26 yards, and Josh Downs saw four, catching three for 14 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Warren was targeted the most, but if you can sense a theme, he had just 19 yards, and Alec Pierce had one catch. I’d prefer to sit them all if other viable options are available, but if you are starting any Indy pass catcher, you’re banking on a couple of catches and praying for a touchdown.
Defense/Special Teams
Indianapolis Colts: SIT
