Indianapolis, IN
Two ways to watch Colts vs. 49ers FREE STREAM today | Philip Rivers
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INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers makes his second start since coming out of retirement to lead the Indianapolis Colts against San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football” today – Monday, Dec. 22 – at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. This game is available on multiple streaming services for free.
What channel is Colts vs. 49ers Monday Night Football?
Today’s game will broadcast live on ABC and ESPN with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern.
Two ways to watch Colts vs. 49ers for free
- DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off your first month)
- FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month)
The most flexible non-free option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter
This game is also available on the ESPN app streaming service, which now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and the Select Plan for $12.99 per month (or $129.99 for entire year). The ESPN app replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.
Who is announcing Colts vs. 49ers?
Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst) will be the announcers while Laura Rutledge and Tom Rinaldi report from the sidelines.
What are the latest odds for Colts vs. 49ers?
Spread: IND: (+5.5), SF: (-5.5)
Moneyline: IND: (+225), SF: (-280)
Point total: 46.5
Odds from DraftKings
How to Watch COLTS – 49ERS
- What: NFL Week 16: Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers
- When: Dec. 22, 2025
- Time: 8:15p.m. Eastern
- Where: Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Ind.
- Channel: ABC and ESPN
- Best Streaming Options: DIRECTV (free trial and $40 off first month), FuboTV (free trial and $25 off first month) and Sling TV (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass)
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV, which features a free trial and $25 off your first month if you sign up for the Pro or Elite plans, is a streaming service that offers over 200 channels. It offers sports, entertainment, news, business and more. The service also offers on-demand options, including full television shows. You may access this service on multiple devices, including computers, phones, tablets and more.
There are four plans which are Latino, Pro, Elite and Premier ranging from $32.99- $99.99.
What is DIRECTV?
DIRECTV, which offers a free trial and $40 off your first month, lets you enjoy live TV and on-demand services without a contract through multiple packages. These include the entertainment package, the choice package + sports pack, the ultimate package + sports pack. The prices range from $79.99-$109.99.
What is Sling TV?
Sling TV users can now get a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly Pass for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for the first five months and $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also subscribe to either the Blue package or the Orange package depending on your viewing preferences. Sling Blue allows up to three streams at a time and Sling Orange allows one stream at a time. Both the Blue and Orange packages are $23 for the first month, then increase to $45.99 per month thereafter.
Here is more information on this matchup from the AP:
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The last time Philip Rivers suited up inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he and his Indianapolis Colts teammates clinched a playoff spot.
A lot has changed in those five years.
Rivers left the NFL, started coaching high school football in Alabama, became a grandfather and shocked the world by coming out of retirement and nearly leading the Colts to a victory last week in Seattle.
He returned to his former team with old friend Shane Steichen calling the plays for a franchise under new ownership. And on Monday night, he’ll be playing in front of a near capacity home crowd — something he didn’t get to do during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year.
Still, two things have not changed: Rivers remains stuck on 134 career wins and the Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since he was Indy’s starter the last time. The 44-year-old quarterback believes he can achieve both over the next three weeks or he wouldn’t be playing.
“I know the NFL is a big deal and this, and it can be whatever it can be,” Rivers said after rejoining the Colts. “But to me, it’s like ‘Hey, you get to play football, potentially, for four more weeks and maybe then some.’ And as long as I can live with the results, both good or bad, and go back home and move on, then I was willing to go for it, and I was able to get to that place mentally.”
While many around the league — from Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons — lauded Rivers’ effort to make a comeback, most were intrigued to see how Rivers would play.
Yes, he does have some physical limitations, and, yes, concerns about his mobility, his ability to throw deep and the long layoff prompted Steichen to take a safer approach in last week’s 18-16 loss at Seattle.
While Indy leaned heavily on its ground game and a short passing game to protect Rivers from taking needless hits, he still went 18 of 27 with 120 yards and threw an interception on Indy’s final offensive play.
The Colts (8-6) lost their fourth straight game to remain one spot outside the AFC’s seven-team playoff field, and Rivers acknowledged this week he must be better over the final three games to save Indy’s fading playoff hopes.
Still, the 49ers (10-4) know what they’re up against. Three years ago, when San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was looking for stability at quarterback, he reached out to Rivers. Because the need didn’t actually arise until the NFC championship game, Rivers never signed.
But after studying last week’s tape, Shanahan believes Rivers still has what it takes.
“I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Shanahan said. “I think he had 27 throws in that game and every ball goes right to the exact spot. He attacked their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched, and he definitely helped that team.”
Can Rivers get it done at his age? Only time will tell.
Indianapolis, IN
Pike Township leaders plan to address issues with N Zone bar after weekend shootout
INDIANAPOLIS — A shootout at a troubled bar near 86th Street and Michigan Road sent two people to nearby St. Vincent Hospital early Sunday morning and has now prompted a review by IMPD’s Nuisance and Abatement Unit.
Police were dispatched to N Zone Bar and Grill shortly before 2 a.m. after a security guard called 911 and reported the shootout between a man at the bar and a person in a car in the parking lot.
Later that morning, two different people walked into St. Vincent Hospital on the north side of Indianapolis with gunshot wounds. The victims who checked into the hospital Sunday morning are believed to have been involved in the shooting.
“No one is immune, things are going to jump off in different areas,” Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson said. “But I would say (I’m) concern(ed).”
That concern from Johnson stems from the fact that the bar has been the subject of several complaints from people who live in the area, including homeowners associations. Those people have been reporting a host of issues at the establishment.
“Late-night fights, break-outs,” Johnson said. “To the left of that area, you have apartments that have been there in this community forever, and then you have a housing addition directly across the street.”
A neighboring business told FOX59/CBS4 they were not surprised to hear another incident had occurred given the bar’s past.
Just recently, video circulated on social media of a large brawl between several women in the parking lot of the bar. Reports made by IMPD show numerous calls to the location in recent years for things like gun crimes and fights.
In May 2022, a man was shot and critically wounded outside the bar. The establishment was shut down following that incident after officials discovered it did not have the proper permits.
Johnson said the fire department has been called to the bar at least 20 times since it opened, which she believes is a lot for a business like that.
“If you have too many complaints, you know what happens with those types of situations where residents will complain,” Johnson said. “Zoning and making reports on that that go downtown, and sometimes, you’re served papers that you may not be a business anymore.”
Johnson said she doesn’t want to see that happen and hopes to intervene so things don’t reach that level with N Zone. She said her next step will be reaching out for a conversation with the bar’s owners to try and give some best practices for them moving forward.
The facility appeared to be closed Sunday and Monday.
Police have not publicly announced if they identified or detained any suspects or persons of interest during their investigation of Sunday morning’s shooting.
IMPD said its nuisance and abatement team is aware of the location and working to determine if any enforcement action should be taken.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts Under Fire Following Daniel Jones Decision
Getty
Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2026 NFL offseason needing to make a decision about the future of quarterback Daniel Jones.
After signing Jones last offseason to a one-year deal in free agency, the Colts liked what they saw from him in 2025. Unfortunately, his season came to an end early after he went down with a torn Achilles.
Before suffering that injury, Jones played in 13 games. He completed 68 percent of his pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while also running for 164 yards and five more touchdowns.
Jones was a free agent entering the offseason. Indianapolis moved quickly to lock him in. The Colts signed the veteran quarterback to a massive two-year, $88 million contract.
Whether or not the move will pay off remains to be seen. It’s a big risk for Indianapolis, but Jones showed the potential of being a legitimate franchise quarterback before the injury occurred.
Colts Under Fire After Huge Daniel Jones Contract Decision
Chris Ballard and the Colts may be confident in Jones’ ability to be their starter moving forward. Not everyone agrees with the contract the team gave him.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport has named the move as one of the worst of the NFL offseason.
“Maybe Jones will be ready for Week 1 despite the severity of the injury. Maybe he can repeat last year’s success despite his struggles in New York. Maybe he’s the next Sam Darnold,” Davenport wrote.
“Or maybe the Colts should have let Jones play out the 2026 season on the transition tag while they saw how all those ‘maybes’ played out.”
Last season, Jones faced a lot of doubt as well. After his rocky tenure with the New York Giants, no one could be blamed for having reservations about the quarterback. However, after the way he played in 2025, Indianapolis feels good about its decision.
Indianapolis Has Had a Wild NFL Offseason So Far
Outside of the Jones move, the Colts have been very busy this offseason.
Along with re-signing Jones, the team also brought back wide receiver Alec Pierce. In order to make that move happen, they had to pay out a four-year deal worth $114 million.
Plenty of other moves have been made as well. Indianapolis traded star linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers and added pieces like defensive end Arden Key, defensive end Micheal Clemons, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, among others.
Most recently, the Colts have been hit with a trade request from cornerback Kenny Moore.
Only time will tell how the team’s offseason moves pan out. Indianapolis has taken some risk this offseason and still has holes to fill. However, the Colts looked like one of the best teams in the NFL during the first half of the 2025 season and may not be far off from Super Bowl contention.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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Indianapolis, IN
Police: Argument over Pokémon cards sparks shooting at Indiana Kroger
INDIANAPOLIS (WKRC) — Police are investigating after one person was injured in a shooting at an Indianapolis Kroger store, per WTHR.
Crews were called to the store at 680 Twin Aire Drive on the east side of the city around 7 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived, they found one man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and is now in stable condition.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s preliminary investigation determined the shooting was targeted and started over an argument about Pokémon cards.
A person of interest was detained at the scene, but police say they are still working to confirm if they had any involvement in the shooting.
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