'MNF' takeaways: 49ers remain in play for NFC's No. 1 seed with blowout win

The San Francisco 49ers (11-4) kept pace in the NFC playoff picture with a 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts (8-7), whose once-bright season has taken a dark turn.

Here's our rapid reaction to a Monday night barnburner.

Key takeaway: San Francisco 49ers still alive for No. 1 seed

Who would have thought the 49ers would be in this position with two weeks left in the regular season? Definitely not when the team was forced to start Mac Jones for eight games as Brock Purdy sat due to injury, or when it lost All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner for the season. The decision to place Brandon Aiyuk on the season-ending reserve list before even playing a down in 2025 didn't seem like the jolt the team needed, either. Yet here the Niners are in what's become head coach Kyle Shanahan's most impressive season. And with wins over the Chicago Bears (11-4) and Seattle Seahawks (12-3) in the next two weeks, San Francisco will clinch the 1-seed in the NFC and inch closer to hosting Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara this February.

Game MVP: 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey

The 2023 Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year had one of his best rushing games of the season against Indianapolis, finishing with 21 carries for 117 yards. It was just the third time this season McCaffrey has eclipsed the 100-yard mark and the fourth time he averaged over four yards per carry.

McCaffrey had just as big an impact as a receiver, hauling in two touchdowns, including one in the first quarter to give San Francisco a 14-7 lead. Quarterback Brock Purdy exploited his mismatch with a linebacker, leading to McCaffrey's 61st reception versus a linebacker, the most in the league this season. (h/t Next Gen Stats)