1988 San Francisco 49ers season
The 1988 San Francisco 49ers season was their 43rd season in the National Football League. The season was highlighted by their third Super Bowl victory. In 1988, the 49ers struggled. At one point, they were 6–5 and in danger of missing the playoffs but rose to defeat the Washington Redskins on a Monday night, eventually finishing the season at 10–6. They gained a measure of revenge by thrashing the Minnesota Vikings 34–9 in the first round. The 49ers then traveled to Chicago's Soldier Field, where the chill factor at gametime was 26 degrees below zero. They defeated the Chicago Bears 28–3 in the NFC Championship.
1988 San Francisco 49ers season | |
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Owner | Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. |
Head coach | Bill Walsh |
Home field | Candlestick Park |
Local radio | KGO–AM 810 |
Results | |
Record | 10–6 |
Division place | 1st NFC West |
Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (Vikings) 34–9 Won NFC Championship (Bears) 28–3 Won Super Bowl XXIII (Bengals) 20–16 |
For the 49ers, it was their first Super Bowl appearance since they defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. They had made the playoffs in the three seasons between Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII, but were eliminated each time in the first round, primarily because of the poor performances by their offensive stars in those games; quarterback Joe Montana, receiver Jerry Rice and running back Roger Craig all failed to produce a single touchdown.
The 49ers alternated quarterbacks as Montana and Steve Young both started at various points of the season. The broadcast booth of the 49ers radio network also saw change, as Joe Starkey substituted for longtime 49ers play by play announcer Lon Simmons during several games, mostly in October when Simmons called the Oakland Athletics 1988 American League Championship Series and 1988 World Series games for the Oakland A's flagship station, KSFO–AM. The 1988 season was the last for Simmons as 49ers broadcaster. With the regular season and postseason, the 49ers compiled a total of 13 victories (a .684 win percentage) on the season, a record-low for Super Bowl champions. In 2011, the New York Giants would tie this record (but with a .650 win percentage as they suffered seven losses as opposed to the 49ers six).
Offseason
NFL Draft
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
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1 | Choice to L.A. Raiders | |||
2 | 33(Choice from L.A. Raiders) | Danny Stubbs | DE | Miami (FL) |
2 | 39(Choice from Philadelphia through Tampa Bay) | Pierce Holt | DE | Angelo State |
2 | Choice to Tampa Bay | |||
3 | 80 | Bill Romanowski | LB | Boston College |
4 | 102(Choice from Chicago through L.A. Raiders) | Barry Helton | P | Colorado |
4 | Choice to Tampa Bay | |||
5 | Choice to N.Y. Jets | |||
5 | Choice to Buffalo | |||
6 | Choice to Tampa Bay | |||
7 | 191 | Kevin Bryant | LB | Delaware State |
8 | 219 | Larry Clarkson | OT | Montana |
9 | 247 | Brian Bonner | LB | Minnesota |
10 | 275 | Tim Foley | K | Georgia Southern |
11 | 303 | Chet Brooks | DB | Texas A&M |
12 | 331 | George Mira, Jr. | LB | Miami (FL) |
Training Camp
The 1988 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.
Personnel
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Roster
1988 Team Starters
Offense
16 Joe Montana QB 33 Roger Craig RB 44 Tom Rathman FB 85 Mike Wilson WR 80 Jerry Rice WR 89 Ron Heller TE
74 Steve Wallace LT 61 Jesse Sapolu LG 64 Randy Cross C 62 Guy McIntyre RG 79 Harris Barton RT
Defense
91 Larry Roberts LDE 95 Michael Carter NT 75 Kevin Fagan RDE
94 Charles Haley LB 50 Riki Ellison LB 99 Mike Walter LB 58 Keena Turner LB
22 Tim McKyer LCB 21 Eric Wright RCB 49 Jeff Fuller SS 42 Ronnie Lott FS
Kicking Team
6 Mike Cofer K 9 Barry Helton P 82 John Taylor PR 25 Doug DuBose KR
Preseason
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
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1 | July 31 | Miami Dolphins | L 21–27 | 0–1 | Wembley Stadium | Recap | |
2 | August 6 | Los Angeles Raiders | W 24–10 | 1–1 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
3 | August 13 | at Denver Broncos | L 24–34 | 1–2 | Mile High Stadium | Recap | |
4 | August 20 | at San Diego Chargers | W 34–27 | 2–2 | Jack Murphy Stadium | Recap | |
5 | August 26 | Seattle Seahawks | W 27–21 | 3–2 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
Regular season
In the 1988 season, San Francisco won the NFC West with a 10–6 regular season record, but it was a long uphill battle; the 49ers, Rams, and Saints all finished 10–6 with the 49ers winning the division on tiebreakers. The team had a quarterback controversy with Montana and Steve Young each starting at quarterback during the season. But after a 6–5 start, Montana led the 49ers to win 4 of their final 5 regular season games.
Montana finished the regular season with 238 completions for 2,981 yards and 18 touchdowns, and also added 132 rushing yards. His favorite target was Rice, who recorded 64 receptions for 1,306 yards (a 20.4 yards per catch average) and 9 touchdowns. Craig was also a key contributor with a total of 2,036 combined rushing and receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Fullback Tom Rathman also made a big impact, rushing for 427 yards and catching 42 passes for 387 yards. The 49ers defense was led by defensive backs Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Jeff Fuller, and Tim McKyer, who recorded a combined total of 18 interceptions. McKyer led the team with 7, while Lott recorded 5. Linebacker Charles Haley was also a big contributor with 11.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
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1 | September 4 | at New Orleans Saints | W 34–33 | 1–0 | Recap | ||
2 | September 11 | at New York Giants | W 20–17 | 2–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap | |
3 | September 18 | Atlanta Falcons | L 17–34 | 2–1 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
4 | September 25 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 38–7 | 3–1 | Kingdome | Recap | |
5 | October 2 | Detroit Lions | W 20–13 | 4–1 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
6 | October 9 | Denver Broncos | L 13–16 (OT) | 4–2 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
7 | October 16 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 24–21 | 5–2 | Anaheim Stadium | Recap | |
8 | October 24 | at Chicago Bears | L 9–10 | 5–3 | Soldier Field | Recap | |
9 | October 30 | Minnesota Vikings | W 24–21 | 6–3 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
10 | November 6 | at Phoenix Cardinals | L 23–24 | 6–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | Recap | |
11 | November 13 | Los Angeles Raiders | L 3–9 | 6–5 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
12 | November 21 | Washington Redskins | W 37–21 | 7–5 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
13 | November 27 | at San Diego Chargers | W 48–10 | 8–5 | Jack Murphy Stadium | Recap | |
14 | December 4 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 13–3 | 9–5 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | Recap | |
15 | December 11 | New Orleans Saints | W 30–17 | 10–5 | Candlestick Park | Recap | |
16 | December 18 | Los Angeles Rams | L 16–38 | 10–6 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
Week 1 at New Orleans Saints
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 34 |
Saints | 7 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 33 |
- Date: September 4
- Game time: 10:01 a.m. PDT
- Game weather: Indoors (dome)
- Game attendance: 66,357
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information |
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter |
The Saints, fresh off the first winning season in franchise history, clawed to a 17–10 halftime lead in the second quarter, but Joe Montana erupted in the third with three touchdown throws. Head coach Bill Walsh, wanting to get playing time for backup Steve Young, put Young in for the fourth quarter; Young was sacked in the endzone for a safety and the Saints scored seven more points after that, nonetheless coming up short 34–33 to the 49ers.
Week 2 at New York Giants
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Giants | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: September 11
- Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT
- Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C); wind 5 (partly sunny)
- Game attendance: 75,943
- Referee: Gordon McCarter
- TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information |
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter |
Concerned over Montana's health, coach Walsh started Steve Young in his place against the Giants; Young's rawness to the Niners offensive system showed as he was limited to 115 yards passing and the Niners trailed 17–13 in the fourth. Montana came in and fired a 77-yard touchdown in the final minutes to Jerry Rice and a 20–17 Niners win.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Falcons | 0 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 34 |
49ers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: September 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C); (Sunny) wind 12
- Game attendance: 60,168
- Referee: Fred Silva
- TV announcers (CBS): Tim Brant (play–by–play), John Dockery (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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The 49ers lost to the Falcons for only the fourth time since 1981 as Joe Montana was intercepted three times and sacked three times in a 34–17 rout. Gerald Riggs of the Falcons rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Week 4 at Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at The Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
- Date: September 25
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: indoors
- Game attendance: 62,382
- Referee: Dick Jorgensen
- TV announcers (CBS): Steve Zabriskie (play–by–play), Terry Bradshaw (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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The Niners rebounded by putting up 580 yards of offense in a 38–7 rout of the Seahawks. Joe Montana threw four touchdowns and Steve Young added a fifth while Roger Craig and Tom Rathman accounted for 186 rushing yards. The Seahawks Jeff Kemp was intercepted three times and Kelly Stouffer added a fourth pick.
Week 5 vs. Detroit Lions
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lions | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
49ers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: October 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C); (Sunny) wind 12
- Game attendance: 58,285
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), Terry Bradshaw (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos
Joe Montana ran in a six-yard touchdown and threw for 191 yards and an interception; he was sacked three times and replaced by Young as John Elway tied the game 13–13 on a touchdown to Vance Johnson. Wind gusts up to 40 mph suddenly hit Candlestick Park and made passing more difficult; in overtime a Steve Young pass was intercepted (Young's second pick of the game), setting up Rich Karlis' winning field goal (16–13 final for the Broncos).
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
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Broncos | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
49ers | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: October 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C); (Sunny) wind 15
- Game attendance: 61,711
- Referee: Jim Tunney
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 7 at Los Angeles Rams
Roger Craig had one of his greatest games in a 199-yard stampede where he scored three touchdowns, highlighted by a dramatic 46-yard score in the first quarter. Despite three Jim Everett touchdowns the Rams fell to San Francisco 24–21, the tenth 49ers win in the rivalry's previous 14 games.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Rams | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
at Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C); wind 8
- Game attendance: 65,450
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 8 at Chicago Bears
The Niners struggled to a 10–9 loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Niners incurred ten penalties for 57 yards and Joe Montana was sacked four times.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
Bears | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago
- Date: October 24
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C); wind 17, wind chill 29 °F (−2 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,293
- Referee: Johnny Grier
- TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play–by–play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 9 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings' playoff win at San Francisco the previous season hung over Candlestick Park as Coach Walsh started Steve Young in Joe Montana's stead. Young struggled and was booed repeatedly by the crowd ("They were running him out of town", lineman Harris Barton said). Just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter the Vikings led 21–17 with the Niners at Minnesota's 49-yard line; Young escaped a sack and ran in the game-winning touchdown, earning applause from the same audience that had been booing him; the NFL Films clip with Lon Simmons' call of the score is among the most replayed in retrospectives on Young's career.[4]
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
49ers | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C); (Sunny) wind 9
- Game attendance: 60,738
- Referee: Fred Silva
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 10 at Phoenix Cardinals
With Young still starting, the 49ers raced to a 23–0 lead in the third quarter, and Coach Bill Walsh felt it was the sharpest the offense had looked all season. The Cardinals, however, began clawing back as Neil Lomax rifled a pair of touchdowns; making matters worse for San Francisco was a whopping 14 penalties for 106 yards. On a kick return Walsh was blindsided by a runner and suffered two cracked ribs; he then had to watch as the Cardinals raced down field in the final minute and scored on a nine-yard Lomax score to Roy Green. It turned out to be the last road loss for the 49ers until Week One of the 1991 season.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 3 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 24 |
at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
- Date: November 6
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C); wind 6
- Game attendance: 64,544
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (CBS): Tim Ryan (play–by–play), Dan Jiggetts (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 11 vs. Los Angeles Raiders
The low point for the 49ers season came against the Raiders as Joe Montana started despite continuing concern by Walsh over his health; Montana had lost eight pounds and was coming off a stomach illness. Montana was held to 160 passing yards as the Raiders clawed out a 9–3 win. The 49ers’ final drive stalled when officials did not call a pass interference penalty on the Raiders over a play to Jerry Rice inside the 10-yard line.
As a result, it was the second game of the season they didn't score a touchdown. Following the loss amid chatter from players interpreted as them giving up on the season Ronnie Lott called a players-only meeting; Harris Barton called it “a ‘screw the coaches’ meeting” and said that it worked to refocus the players on playing better ("They usually don't work, but this one did.")
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Raiders | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
49ers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: November 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C); (Light Rain) wind 20
- Game attendance: 54,448
- Referee: Pat Haggerty
- TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play–by–play), Joe Namath (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 12 vs. Washington Redskins
The refocused Niners erupted on the defending champion Redskins, racing to a 23–7 halftime lead and winning 37–21. Joe Montana threw two touchdowns (including an 80-yarder to Jerry Rice) and ran in a third. Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams of the Redskins threw three touchdowns while Timmy Smith was held to just six rushing yards.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Redskins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
49ers | 7 | 16 | 0 | 14 | 37 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: November 21
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); (Light Rain) wind 8
- Game attendance: 59,268
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play–by–play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 13 at San Diego Chargers
The Niners' scoring explosion continued at Jack Murphy Stadium as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns (the first a 96-yarder to Jerry Rice) and Roger Craig had two rushing scores and a touchdown catch, while Doug DuBose added a rushing score. Four Niners backs plus both quarterbacks (Montana and Steve Young) rushed for 203 yards crushing the Chargers 48–10.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 7 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 48 |
Chargers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego
- Date: November 27
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); wind 6
- Game attendance: 51,848
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play–by–play), Ken Stabler (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 14 at Atlanta Falcons
The Niners traveled to Fulton County Stadium and limited the Atlanta Falcons to 177 yards of offense in a 13–3 win.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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49ers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta
- Date: December 4
- Game time: 10:00 a.m. PST
- Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C); wind 8
- Game attendance: 44,048
- Referee: Gordon McCarter
- TV announcers (CBS): Tim Brant (play–by–play), Hank Stram (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 15 vs. New Orleans Saints
The Niners hosted the Saints with both teams at 9–5 but going in opposite directions following two straight Saints losses. Led by Roger Craig's 115 yards, the Niners rushed for 152 yards and two scores while Joe Montana threw for 233 yards and a score in San Francisco's 30–17 win. At halftime, the 49ers retired number 87, which was worn by Dwight Clark from 1979 to 1987.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Saints | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
49ers | 0 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: December 11
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); (Drizzle) wind 5
- Game attendance: 62,977
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Niners clinched the NFC West despite a three-way tie with the Rams and New Orleans (all finishing 10–6) and despite a 38–16 slaughter by the Rams that put them into the playoffs. Jim Everett threw four touchdowns while Montana and Young combined for 291 yards but no scores. San Francisco won the division on tiebreakers and the Rams were the wild card, while the 10–6 Saints were eliminated from playoff contention on the conference record tiebreaker.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Rams | 0 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
49ers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: December 18
- Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); (Cloudy) wind 6
- Game attendance: 62,444
- Referee: Gene Barth
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (play–by–play), Joe Theismann (color commentator)
- Pro-Football-Reference.com [3]
Game information | ||
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Game officials
Preseason
Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head Linesman | Line Judge | Back Judge | Side Judge | Field Judge | Replay |
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1 | vs. Miami Dolphins (at London, England) | ||||||||
2 | Los Angeles Raiders | ||||||||
3 | at Denver Broncos | (12) | (89) | (72) | (94) | (21) | (47) | (113) | Bill Fette |
4 | at San Diego Chargers | ||||||||
5 | Seattle Seahawks | (40) | (50) | (109) | (56) | (99) | (66) | (46) | Armen Terzian |
Regular season
Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head Linesman | Line Judge | Back Judge | Side Judge | Field Judge | Replay |
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1 | at New Orleans Saints | (9) Jerry Markbreit | (100) Bob Wagner | (72) Terry Gierke | (59) Bob Beeks | (4) Doug Toole | (58) Bill Quinby | (91) Bill Stanley | George Sladky |
2 | at New York Giants | (48) Gordon McCarter | (117) Ben Montgomery | (81) Dave Anderson | (3) Boyce Smith | (49) Dean Look | (61) Dick Creed | (84) Bob Wortman | Chuck Heberling |
3 | Atlanta Falcons | (7) Fred Silva | (42) Dave Hamilton | (8) Dale Williams | (54) Jack Johnson | (68) Louis Richard | (102) Merrill Douglas | (18) Bob Lewis | Royal Cathcart |
4 | at Seattle Seahawks | (60) Dick Jorgensen | (110) Ron Botchan | (10) Ron Phares | (51) Dale Orem | (92) Jim Poole | (20) Larry Nemmers | (44) Donnie Hampton | Bill Swanson |
5 | Detroit Lions | (43) Red Cashion | (27) Al Conway | (37) Burl Toler | (94) Vern Marshall | (52) Ben Tompkins | (29) Howard Slavin | (96) Don Hakes | Grover Klemmer |
6 | Denver Broncos | (32) Jim Tunney | (115) Hendi Ancich | (111) Earnie Frantz | (33) Howard Roe | (118) Tom Sifferman | (97) Nate Jones | (82) Pat Mallette | Bill Fette |
7 | at Los Angeles Rams | (70) Jerry Seeman | (103) Rex Stuart | (79) Aaron Pointer | (15) Bama Glass | (21) Pete Liske | (64) Dave Parry | (113) Don Dorkowski | Dave Kamanski |
8 | at Chicago Bears | (23) Johnny Grier | (78) Art Demmas | (87) Paul Weidner | (83) Ron Blum | (24) Roy Clymer | (90) Gil Mace | (119) Ron Spitler | Al Sabato |
9 | Minnesota Vikings | (7) Fred Silva | (42) Dave Hamilton | (8) Dale Williams | (54) Jack Johnson | (68) Louis Richard | (102) Merrill Douglas | (18) Bob Lewis | Royal Cathcart |
10 | at Phoenix Cardinals | (9) Jerry Markbreit | (100) Bob Wagner | (72) Terry Gierke | (59) Bob Beeks | (4) Doug Toole | (58) Bill Quinby | (91) Bill Stanley | George Sladky |
11 | Los Angeles Raiders | (40) Pat Haggerty | (50) Neil Gereb | (109) Sid Semon | (56) Ron Baynes | (99) Banks Williams | (66) Dave Hawk | (46) John Robison | Cal Lepore |
12 | Washington Redskins | (70) Jerry Seeman | (103) Rex Stuart | (79) Aaron Pointer | (15) Bama Glass | (21) Pete Liske | (64) Dave Parry | (113) Don Dorkowski | Dave Kamanski |
13 | at San Diego Chargers | (12) Ben Dreith | (88) Dave Moss | (55) Dave Barnes | (41) Dick McKenzie | (106) Al Jury | (16) Doyle Jackson | (31) Dick Dolack | Dixon Holman |
14 | at Atlanta Falcons | (48) Gordon McCarter | (117) Ben Montgomery | (81) Dave Anderson | (3) Boyce Smith | (49) Dean Look | (61) Dick Creed | (84) Bob Wortman | Chuck Heberling |
15 | New Orleans Saints | (43) Red Cashion | (27) Al Conway | (37) Burl Toler | (94) Vern Marshall | (52) Ben Tompkins | (29) Howard Slavin | (96) Don Hakes | Grover Klemmer |
16 | Los Angeles Rams | (14) Gene Barth | (57) Ed Fiffick | (85) Frank Glover | (74) Ray Dodez | (38) Bruce Maurer | (34) Gerald Austin | (76) Ed Merrifield | Mark Burns |
Standings
NFC West | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
San Francisco 49ers(2) | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 369 | 294 | L1 |
Los Angeles Rams(5) | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 407 | 293 | W3 |
New Orleans Saints | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 312 | 283 | W1 |
Atlanta Falcons | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 244 | 315 | L3 |
Regular Season summaries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
Week 2: at New York Giants Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Playoffs
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
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Divisional | January 1, 1989 | Minnesota Vikings (4) | W 34–9 | 1–0 | Candlestick Park | Recap |
NFC Championship | January 8, 1989 | at Chicago Bears (1) | W 28–3 | 2–0 | Soldier Field | Recap |
Super Bowl XXIII | January 22, 1989 | Cincinnati Bengals (A1) | W 20–16 | 3–0 | Joe Robbie Stadium | Recap |
NFC Divisional Playoff vs. Minnesota Vikings
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
49ers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 34 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: January 1, 1989
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C); wind 9
- Game attendance: 61,848
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator), Will McDonough (sideline reporter)
- Box Score [3]
Game information | ||
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For the third time in some 365 days the 49ers hosted the Vikings, and for the second time in that span it was in the playoffs. Minnesota entered having shot down the Rams 28-17 and boasting an offense fourth in scoring with a defense second in fewest points allowed with a plus-23 turnover differential – and none of it made any difference as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns in the first half and Jerry Rice caught all three. Wade Wilson was picked off twice as the Niners won 34–9, their first playoff win since Super Bowl XIX.
NFC Championship Game at Chicago Bears
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
49ers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Bears | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago
- Date: January 8, 1989
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 20 °F (−7 °C); wind 29, wind chill 2 °F (−17 °C)
- Game attendance: 66,946
- Referee: Bob McElwee
- TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator), Will McDonough (sideline reporter)
- Box Score [3]
Game information | ||
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The Niners traveled to frigid Soldier Field a week after the Bears succeeded in the Fog Bowl against the Eagles and less than three months after San Francisco's ugly Monday Night loss in that same venue. The Niners put the game away in the third quarter following Joe Montana's third touchdown of the game as the Niners limited the Bears' sluggish offense (18th in scoring) to just one Kevin Butler field goal. The win was doubly personal for Walsh between returning to the Super Bowl and also quieting hecklers in the Soldier Field crowd, including one in particular who'd persisted in what Walsh delicately described as "remarks about my body parts and my preferences in life", but who was reduced to futile stuttering as the game got out of hand.
Super Bowl XXIII vs. Cincinnati Bengals (at Miami Gardens, Florida)
The game is remembered for the 49ers' fourth-quarter game-winning drive. Down 16–13, San Francisco got the ball on their own eight-yard line with 3:10 on the clock and marched 92 yards down the field in under three minutes. They then scored the winning touchdown on a Joe Montana pass to John Taylor with just 34 seconds left in the game.
49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was named the Super Bowl MVP. He caught 11 passes for a Super Bowl record 215 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing once for 5 yards.
This was also the final NFL game coached by the 49ers' Bill Walsh. This was also the final Super Bowl that Pete Rozelle presided over as NFL Commissioner.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 16 |
49ers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- Date: January 22, 1989
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); wind 17
- Game attendance: 75,129
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator), Jim Gray (sideline reporter)
- Box Score [3]
Game information | ||
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Game officials
Round | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head Linesman | Line Judge | Back Judge | Side Judge | Field Judge | Replay | Alternates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NFC Divisional Playoff | Minnesota Vikings | (9) Jerry Markbreit | (78) Art Demmas | (81) Dave Anderson | (53) Bill Reynolds | (106) Al Jury | (120) Gary Lane | (73) Bobby Skelton | Dixon Holman | |
NFC Championship Game | at Chicago Bears | (95) Bob McElwee | (101) Bob Boylston | (35) Leo Miles | (54) Jack Johnson | (99) Banks Williams | (47) Tom Fincken | (82) Pat Mallette | Al Sabato | |
Super Bowl XXIII | Cincinnati Bengals (at Miami Gardens, Florida) | (70) Jerry Seeman | (89) Gordon Wells | (17) Jerry Bergman | (59) Bob Beeks | (22) Paul Baetz | (120) Gary Lane | (73) Bobby Skelton | Chuck Heberling | (14) Gene Barth (57) Ed Fiffick |
Stats
Passing
Player | Cmp | Att | Yds | TD | INT | Sk | Yds |
49ers | |||||||
Opponents |
Rushing
Player | Att | Yds | TD |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Receiving
Player | Rec | Yds | TD |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Kicking
Player | FGA | FGM | XPA | XPM |
49ers | ||||
Opponents |
Punting
Player | Pnt | Yds | Blck |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Kick Return
Player | Ret | Yds | TD |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Punt Return
Player | Ret | Yds | TD |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Interception
Player | INT | Yards | TD |
49ers | |||
Opponents |
Fumble
Player | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | TD |
49ers | |||||
Opponents |
Sacks
Player | Sk | Sfty |
49ers | ||
Opponents |
Tackles
Player | Tkl | Ast |
49ers | ||
Opponents |
Scoring
Player | RshTD | RecTD | PR TD | KR TD | FmbTD | IntTD | AllTD | OthTD | XPM | FGM | Sfty | PTS |
49ers | ||||||||||||
Opponents |
Team
Team | Total Plays | Passing | Pass Att | Pass Cmp | Pass Yds | Pass TD | Intercepted | Pass 1stD | Rushing | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Fumbles Lost | Rush 1stD | Pen 1stD | Pts |
49ers | ||||||||||||||||
Opponents |
Awards and records
- Mike Cofer, Led NFC, 27 Field Goals
- Mike Cofer, Led NFC, 121 Points
- Roger Craig, Offense, UPI NFC Player of the Year
- Roger Craig, Led NFC with 2068 total yards
- Jerry Rice, Most Valuable Player, Super Bowl XXIII
1989 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl
Number | Player | Position | Conference |
---|---|---|---|
95 | Michael Carter | NT | NFC Pro Bowlers |
33 | Roger Craig | RB, Starter | NFC Pro Bowlers |
94 | Charles Haley | LB–DE | NFC Pro Bowlers |
42 | Ronnie Lott | FS, Starter | NFC Pro Bowlers |
80 | Jerry Rice | WR, Did Not Play | NFC Pro Bowlers |
82 | John Taylor | KR | NFC Pro Bowlers |
Media
Pre season Local TV
Channel | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) |
---|---|---|
KPIX-TV 5 | Wayne Walker | Bill Ring |
Local Radio
Flagship station | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter (s) | Studio host |
---|---|---|---|---|
KGO–AM 810 | Lon Simmons (Pre Season, Week 1–5 and 8–16, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII) Joe Starkey (Week 6–7) |
Wayne Walker (Pre Season Week 1–2, Regular Season, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII) Joe Starkey (Pre Season Weeks 3–5) |
Joe Starkey (Pre Season Week 1–2, Week 1–5 and 8–16, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII) | Joe Starkey |
References
- San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 562.
- "1988 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
- San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 455.
- 1988 Steve Young touchdown vs. Vikings on YouTube
- San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 517.