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The San Francisco 49ers moved one step closer to NFC supremacy Monday night, defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football to improve their record to 11-4 on the season. While San Francisco already clinched a playoff berth on Sunday, the victory holds immense significance for their seeding and the pursuit of the NFC West title.
With this win, the 49ers keep pace with the division-leading Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, ensuring they control their own destiny over the final two weeks of the regular season. The path to the No. 1 seed, which includes a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, is now in sight for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad.
The stakes for the 49ers' remaining schedule are as high as they can get. Their final two contests — hosting the NFC North champion Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, followed by a season-ending rematch with the Seahawks in Week 18 — will effectively function as a two-game playoff. If the 49ers win both games, they will secure the NFC West title and leapfrog everyone to capture the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, meaning they would not have to play a game away from Levi's Stadium the rest of the season.
The victory over the Colts tonight was mandatory, turning the rest of the season into a scramble where San Francisco can guarantee itself the conference's best record with two more wins at the site of the future Super Bowl LX.
MORE: How Brock Purdy's five touchdowns helped 49ers keep pace in NFC playoff race
NFC West standings
The 49ers (11-4) are in the middle of the most competitive divisional race in the NFL, with every game carrying potential top-seed implications. Their crucial "Monday Night Football" victory over the Colts not only clinched their playoff berth but also kept them within striking distance of the No. 1 seed and the NFC West title.
| Rank | Team | Record | GB |
| 1 | Seahawks | 12-3 | -- |
| 2 | 49ers | 11-4 | 1.0 |
| 3 | Rams | 11-4 | 1.0 |
| 4 | Cardinals | 3-12 | 9.0 |
The 49ers now hold the tiebreaker over the Rams based on a better division record (4-1 for SF vs. 3-2 for LA). With the Seahawks leading the way, the 49ers have one clear path to winning the division: win both of their remaining games.
If San Francisco finishes 13-4, it will secure the NFC West title and the No. 1 overall seed. After that, three wins at Levi's Stadium would mean the 49ers are Super Bowl champions.
MORE: NFL standings after Week 16
NFC wild-card standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 5 | 49ers* | 11-4 |
| 6 | Rams* | 11-4 |
| 7 | Packers | 9-5-1 |
| 8 | Lions (eliminated) | 8-7 |
| 9 | Buccaneers | 7-8 |
*Clinched playoff berth
The 49ers, having officially clinched a playoff spot, are now focused entirely on improving their seeding. They currently sit as the No. 6 seed, but their victory over the Colts keeps them tied with the Rams for the top Wild Card spot.
By winning out, San Francisco will not only win the division but secure the highest possible seed, avoiding the wild card round entirely and securing home-field advantage through the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium.
But, if the 49ers lose one of those games, they can find themselves in a packed NFC wild card race.
MORE: Kendrick Bourne gets incentive after game vs. Colts
49ers remaining schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Bears (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. |
| Jan. 4 | vs. Seahawks | TBD |
The 49ers face a decisive two-game home stand to close the season. If San Francisco defeats both the Bears and the Seahawks, they will secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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