NFL Week 16 grades: 49ers earn A for MNF explosion, Steelers get B+ for wild win

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The NFL had some wild games in Week 16, but that drama didn’t translate to Monday night with the San Francisco 49ers rolling to an 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts. 

The Jaguars, Bills and Chargers all needed a loss by the Colts to officially clinch a playoff berth, and that’s exactly what they got, so five of the AFC’s seven postseason spots have now been claimed. (The Broncos clinched a spot in Week 15 and the Patriots punched their ticket on Sunday night with a win over the Ravens.)

As for the 49ers, they had already clinched a playoff spot before this game kicked off, but this was a huge win for them, because it means they still control their path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the 49ers win their final two games, they’ll take home the NFC West title while also clinching the top seed. 

We’re not here to talk about the playoffs, though. We’re here to hand out grades, so let’s do it, starting with San Francisco’s big win over the Colts. 

San Francisco 48-27 over Indianapolis (Monday)

New England 28-24 over Baltimore

Carolina 23-20 over Tampa Bay

Pittsburgh 29-24 over Detroit

Jacksonville 34-20 over Denver

Houston 23-21 over Las Vegas

Atlanta 26-19 over Arizona

L.A. Chargers 34-17 over Dallas

Buffalo 23-20 over Cleveland

Tennessee 26-9 over Kansas City

Cincinnati 45-21 over Miami

Minnesota 16-13 over N.Y. Giants

New Orleans 29-6 over N.Y. Jets

Chicago 22-16 over Packers in OT (Saturday)

Philadelphia 29-18 over Washington (Saturday)

Seattle 38-37 over L.A. Rams in OT (Thursday)