The San Francisco 49ers (10-4) enter Week 16 as 5.5-point favorites against the Indianapolis Colts, aiming to extend their winning streak to five games as they push toward a return to the NFL postseason.
With a victory on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, the 49ers would officially clinch a playoff berth. Entering Week 16, San Francisco currently sits as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. If the season ended today, the 49ers would travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in the Wild Card round.
However, a win against the Colts will move San Francisco into the No. 5 spot in the NFC playoff picture, assuming Thursday night's clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks doesn't end in a tie (h/t to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area for that nugget).
San Francisco could also lock up a playoff spot before kickoff. A Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday would secure the 49ers' postseason berth regardless of the outcome Monday night.
There is a third—though far less likely—scenario in which the 49ers could clinch a playoff spot in Week 16. That would require Monday night's game against the Colts to end in a tie, along with a tie in Sunday's Steelers-Lions matchup.
The 49ers are one of nine NFL teams that can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16. So far, only two teams have officially secured postseason spots: the Rams (11-3) in the NFC and the Denver Broncos (12-2) in the AFC.
Playoff scenarios provided by NFL Communications.