Indianapolis Colts vs San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO—The Indianapolis Colts trampled the 49ers 27-7 on Sunday, September 22 at Candlestick Park.

Both teams were coming from a previous loss and were tied 1-1 for the third week of the season. The Colts made clear, that this was a new season with a surprising victory against last year’s Super Bowl contenders. It was the 49ers’ first time losing consecutive games with Jim Harbaugh as head coach and Kaepernick’s first time losing at home as starting quarterback.

The Colts offense greatly out-performed the 49ers, beginning the game with a scoring seven-play, 80-yard drive completed by rookie Trent Richardson. San Francisco responded with their only touchdown of the game with a 13-yard run by Kendall Hunter in the first quarter.

Kaepernick scrambled to find open receivers against the tight Colts defense, completing only two of eight passes during the first-half. By the end of the game, Kaepernick completed only 13 of 27 passes for a net of 150 yards, threw one interception and was sacked three times.

San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis suffered a groin injury in the fourth quarter and did not return for the remainder of the game. The team drew six penalties that cost them 48 yards compared to the Colts, who drew only one penalty.

The 49ers announced on their Twitter page that outside linebacker Aldon Smith “will take an indefinite leave from the team” with “no timetable” for his return after playing in Sunday’s game. Smith was arrested Friday, September 20 at 7 a.m. for DUI charges after crashing into a tree in San Jose.

The 49ers will play their next game, without Smith, on Thursday, September 26 in St. Louis against the Rams at 5:25 p.m.

By Amanda Macke