The San Francisco 49ers host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, in a game featuring several homecomings among the players, and a road version of homecoming for the 49ers head coach. Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener return to the Bay Area for their first game action since departing Stanford University. The 49ers recent signing of Owen Marecic means this will mark his first home game in the Bay Area, although I suspect he will be inactive given his recent signing (although I could be wrong).
The other reunion comes in the form of Jim Harbaugh facing the team he once quarterbacked to within a miracle finish of a Super Bowl appearance. The 1995 Indianapolis Colts got into the playoffs as one of the three 9-7 wild card teams. They went on the road to beat 9-7 San Diego, and then they went into Arrowhead Stadium and stunned the 13-3 Kansas City Chiefs. The following week, Jim Harbaugh came within a 30-yard touchdown of truly living up to his Captain Comeback moniker. The video above shows the "hail mary" of sorts that almost was.
And just to add a little something extra, here's a commercial Harbaugh shot in 1996. Harbaugh would be replaced in 1998 by rookie QB Peyton Manning.
The last time the 49ers played the Colts was in 2009, and the previous time was 2005. That means more and more 49ers were not around at that point. Here is a quick look at some notable performances 49ers players have had against the Colts.
Anquan Boldin
- In 4 career games against Indianapolis, he has 14 receptions for 366 yards and 2 TDs
Had 5 recepts. for a season-high 145 yards and 1 TD vs. Indianapolis (1/6/13) as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Frank Gore
- Rushed for 91 yards and 1 TD on 13 carries and had 5 receptions. for 43 yards at Indianapolis (11/1/09).
Carlos Rogers
- Had 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 2 PDs vs. Indianapolis (10/17/10) while playing for Washington
Justin Smith
- As a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, he had 5 tackles, 2 TFL and a half sack of Peyton Manning (11/20/05).
Patrick Willis
- Recorded 12 tackles and 1 PD at Indianapolis (11/1/09).
Series HighlightsMatchups: 42
Series Record: Colts lead series 24-18
49ers Home Record vs. Colts: 49ers lead series 11-10
First Meeting: 11/29/53, 49ers win 38-21, at Bal.
Last Meeting: 11/1/09, Colts win 18-14, at Ind.
Current Streak: Lost 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (10/26/69 - 9/10/89)
Longest Colts Win Streak: 13 (11/4/62 - 10/13/68)
Most 49ers Points: 45 (12/13/53): 49ers win 45-14, at SF
Most Colts Points: 45 (11/22/59): Colts win 45-14, at Bal.
49ers Shutouts: None
Colts Shutouts: None
2013 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | COLTS (rank) | |
| 1-1 (t-2nd NFCW) | Record | 1-1 (t-2nd AFCS) |
| 18.5 (24th) | Points per game | 20.5 (t-18th) |
| 350.5 (18th) | Total Offense | 361.0 (t-15th) |
| 95.0 (t-17th) | Rushing Offense | 130.0 (5th) |
| 255.5 (18th) | Passing Offense | 231.0 (19th) |
| 30:56 (17th) | Possession Avg | 28:54 (20th) |
| 28.5 (27th) | Points allowed/gm | 20.5 (14th) |
| 337.5 (t-13th) | Total Defense | 385.0 (23rd) |
| 117.5 (24th) | Rushing Defense | 136.0 (29th) |
| 220.0 (10th) | Passing Defense | 249.0 (16th) |
| 6 (t-10th) | Sacks | 6 (t-10th) |
| 48.0 (6th) | Punting Avg (Gross) | t-16th (t-16th) |
| -2 (t-25th) | Turnover Differential | +2 (t-8th) |