Who faces off on Sunday Night Football tonight? The Week 7 matchup sees the Indianapolis Colts heading to Levi Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams have seen a handful of key players suffer injuries this season. Can the Colts build on their momentum from a Week 6 win? Check below for all the information you need regarding the start time, channel, and live stream options for Sunday Night Football, as well as a preview and prediction.
What channel is Sunday Night Football tonight?
- Channel: NBC
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
- Sunday Night Football Live streams:
- NBC Sports App
- Hulu Live TV
- FuboTV
- YouTube TV
- Locast (select markets)
- AT&T TV
- NFL Mobile App
What to expect from tonight’s Colts vs. 49ers game?
There are still some questions regarding San Francisco’s starters heading into Sunday Night Football tonight. Let’s clear some things up.
Jimmy Garoppolo returns for the 49ers.
After missing Week 5 with a calf injury, QB Jimmy Garoppolo is back under center. However, his backup, rookie QB Trey Lance, is not expected to see the field in any capacity. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Lance will remain sidelined in Week 7 after spraining his left knee in his first start. While the rookie will miss this game, Shanahan expects Lance to be ready in Week 8.
Furthermore, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is still hampered by an ongoing knee issue this season. Shanahan stated, “It’s a big concern this year,” and the development of the second-year DT has halted. Additionally, offensive tackle Trent Williams did not participate in practice late in the week, but this seems like a move out of caution than necessity. Williams has started all five games for San Francisco and was listed as day-to-day with a sprained ankle.
Colts’ chances rely on game-time decisions.
While the 49ers are hampered at a few positions, the Colts are also suffering heading into Sunday Night Football. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton missed another practice but has said he feels 50-50 on if he will play tonight. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin continues to miss practice with an ankle injury and does not seem likely to play in Week 7.
The good news for Indianapolis is linebacker Darius Leonard and defensive ends Kwity Paye and Tyquan Lewis have improved in practice throughout the week. If all three continue to progress, we should see them on the field for the Colts’ defense against the 49ers.
Both of these teams are mid-tier, but the Colts have been figuring some things out. After a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Ravens in Week 5, Indianapolis pummeled the Texans 31-3. The defense has forced many turnovers in the past three games, and that shouldn’t change with Garoppolo starting for the first time in two weeks. San Francisco’s defense will start strong, but Indianapolis RB Jonathan Taylor and QB Carson Wentz will wear them down and grind out a win.
Prediction: Colts 20, 49ers 14
Sunday Night Football Schedule: September
- Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams – September 12
- Final: Rams 34, Bears 14
- Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens – September 19
- Final: Ravens 36, Chiefs 35
- Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – September 26
- Final: Packers 30, 49ers 28
October
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots – October 3
- Final: Buccaneers 19, Patriots 17
- Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – October 10
- Final: Bills 38, Chiefs 20
- Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 17
- Final: Steelers 23, Seahawks 20 (OT)
- Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers – October 24
- Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – October 31
November
- Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams – November 7
- Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders – November 14
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers – November 21
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – November 28
December
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – December 5
- Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – December 12
- New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 19
- Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys – December 26
January
- Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – January 2
- Week 18 TBD – January 9