NFL insider Peter King previewed Sunday night’s upcoming 49ers-Indianapolis Colts matchup on 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” Tuesday afternoon.
Though it’s only Week 7, King said the 49ers (2-3) should feel some pressure to win this game and try to keep up with the Arizona Cardinals (6-0) and Los Angeles Rams (5-1) in the NFC West.
“San Francisco’s gotta win this game,” King said. “Must-win is weird thing to say at this time of the year, but the 49ers really need to win for a really simple reason: You can’t fall behind the two very good teams in this division. And this is a game against a team who you should have a lot of advantages in, both being fresh and being better than.”
As King noted, the Colts (2-4) have played two football games in the days since the 49ers lost to the Cardinals 17-10 on Oct. 10. He said the Colts’ offensive line is “beat up” and highlighted the loss of wide receiver Parris Campbell, who was placed on the injured reserve Tuesday with a foot injury.
“I think it’s probably a good week to play the Colts if you’re playing them this year,” King said. “Because you’re going to be fresh, they’re not going to be.”
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When looking at the 49ers, King said the lack of a reliable offense is holding the team back. King noted other top teams like the Dallas Cowboys who you can expect to score 30 points per game.
“You can’t say that about the Niners,” King said. “That’s why you need a really, really strong defensive game almost every week now, because you have no idea if Jimmy Garoppolo is putting up 17 [points] or 31.”
King opined that the 49ers have devoted more draft capital and salary on the quarterback position than any NFL team over the past couple of seasons. Considering Trey Lance is out for the game, King thinks Garoppolo needs to capitalize on Sunday’s start.
“When I look at the NFL right now, this game right here, right now, is as important for any quarterback in the NFL this year,” King said.
