The Indianapolis Colts will host the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in a Week 16 clash that, for one team, represents a potential lifeline and for the other, a significant step toward postseason security.
The 49ers (10-4) enter Lucas Oil Stadium in a strong but precarious position, battling fiercely in the NFC Wild Card race against several 10-win teams, knowing a victory will solidify their standing and put them on the cusp of an official playoff clinch. For San Francisco, beating an AFC contender is a chance to gain control of their own fate heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
The mood in Indianapolis (8-6), however, is one of desperate urgency. After a blistering start that saw them briefly hold the AFC's top seed, the Colts have endured a painful slide, losing four of their last five games and falling outside the playoff picture to the No. 8 spot in the AFC. This stunning free-fall was dramatically worsened by the season-ending Achilles tear suffered by starting quarterback Daniel Jones, forcing the franchise to turn to extraordinary measures to save their season — and creating a fascinating narrative twist for the primetime audience.
That twist comes in the form of Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement after five years away from the game to return to the Colts. After an admirable performance in a tough road loss to the Seahawks in his Week 15 debut, the 44-year-old veteran has been officially named the starter for this crucial Monday night contest. Rivers now has eight extra days to prepare for one of the NFC's most talented defenses, putting an intense spotlight on whether his leadership and experience can be the "juice" Indianapolis needs to arrest its slide and remain viable in the ultra-tight AFC Wild Card scrum.
Here's how to watch "Monday Night Football."
What channel is 49ers vs. Colts on today?
"Monday Night Football" in Week 16 will air nationally on ABC and ESPN. Joe Buck (play-by-play) will be on the call alongside Troy Aikman (analyst). Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge will be on sidelines.
The game will stream live on the ESPN app, along with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
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What time is 49ers vs. Colts today?
- Date: Monday, Dec. 22
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Kickoff of Monday Night Football is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 22.
Rivers will play his first game at Lucas Oil Stadium since 2021 when the Colts host the 49ers.
49ers vs. Colts radio coverage
- Radio channel: SiriusXM
Fans can listen to Monday Night Football live with SiriusXM on channel 88, NFL Radio, for the national broadcast. Team-specific channels are available, with 225 being the Colts and 226 being the 49ers.
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49ers remaining schedule
Here are the 49ers remaining games:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time (ET) |
| 17 | Dec. 28 | vs. Bears | 8:20 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 4 | vs. Seahawks | TBD |
Colts remaining schedule
Here are the Colts remaining games:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time (ET) |
| 17 | Dec. 28 | vs. Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 4 | at Texans | TBD |