1988 San Francisco 49ers season

1988 San Francisco 49ers season
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 (vs. Vikings) 34–9 Won NFC Championship (at Bears) 28–3 Won Super Bowl XXIII (vs. Bengals) 20–16
← 1987 49ers seasons 1989 →

The 1988 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 39th in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd overall, and their tenth and final season under head coach Bill Walsh. The season was highlighted by their third Super Bowl victory. They failed to improve on their 13–2 record from 1987, and the 49ers struggled to a 6–5 record at the midway point and were in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1982, 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 game time was 26 degrees below zero. They defeated the Chicago Bears 28–3 in the NFC Championship.

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
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)

^[1]

Training Camp[]

The 1988 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.

Personnel[]

Staff[]

1988 San Francisco 49ers staff

	Front office Owner/President – Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. Vice President/General Counsel – Carmen Policy Vice President/General Manager – John McVay Administrator of Football Operations – Neal Dahlen Director of College Scouting – Tony Razzano Director of Pro Personnel – Allan Webb Head coaches Head Coach – Bill Walsh Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Mike Holmgren Running Backs – Sherman Lewis Wide Receivers – Dennis Green Offensive Line – Bobb McKittrick			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – George Seifert Defensive Line – Fred von Appen Linebackers – Bill McPherson Defensive Backs – Ray Rhodes Defensive Assistant – Tommy Hart Special teams coaches Special Teams – Lynn Stiles Strength and conditioning Physical Development Coordinator – Jerry Attaway

Roster[]

1988 San Francisco 49ers final roster

	Quarterbacks  8 Steve Young 15 John Paye 16 Joe Montana Running backs 24 Harry Sydney 25 Doug DuBose KR 32 Terrence Flagler 33 Roger Craig 35 Del Rodgers 44 Tom Rathman FB Wide receivers 80 Jerry Rice 81 Wes Chandler 82 John Taylor PR 83 Terry Greer 85 Mike Wilson 88 Calvin Nicholas Tight ends 84 Brent Jones 86 John E. Frank 89 Ron Heller		Offensive linemen 51 Randy Cross C 60 Chuck Thomas C 61 Jesse Sapolu G 62 Guy McIntyre G 65 Jeff Bregel G 69 Bruce Collie G 74 Steve Wallace T 77 Bubba Paris T 79 Harris Barton T Defensive linemen 67 Pete Kugler DE 72 Jeff Stover 75 Kevin Fagan DE 91 Larry Roberts DE 92 Kevin Lilly DE 95 Michael Carter NT 96 Danny Stubbs DE 97 Doug Mikolas NT		Linebackers 50 Riki Ellison ILB 53 Bill Romanowski OLB 54 Ron Hadley LB 55 Jim Fahnhorst ILB 57 Sam Kennedy LB 58 Keena Turner OLB 94 Charles Haley OLB 99 Michael Walter ILB Defensive backs 20 Tory Nixon CB 21 Eric Wright CB 22 Tim McKyer CB 29 Don Griffin CB 31 Chet Brooks S 38 Greg Cox CB 42 Ronnie Lott S 46 Tom Holmoe S 49 Jeff Fuller S Special teams 4 Max Runager P 6 Mike Cofer K 9 Barry Helton P		Reserve lists 27 Carlton Williamson CB (IR) 90 Todd Shell OLB (IR) Practice squad Rookies in italics

^[2]

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
1	July 31	Miami Dolphins	L 21–27	0–1	Wembley Stadium (London)	70,535	Recap
2	August 6	Los Angeles Raiders	W 24–10	1–1	Candlestick Park	64,457	Recap
3	August 13	at Denver Broncos	L 24–34	1–2	Mile High Stadium	75,067	Recap
4	August 20	at San Diego Chargers	W 34–27	2–2	Jack Murphy Stadium	39,044	Recap
5	August 26	Seattle Seahawks	W 27–21	3–2	Candlestick Park	53,357	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
1	September 4	at New Orleans Saints	W 34–33	1–0	Louisiana Superdome	66,357	Recap
2	September 11	at New York Giants	W 20–17	2–0	Giants Stadium	75,943	Recap
3	September 18	Atlanta Falcons	L 17–34	2–1	Candlestick Park	60,168	Recap
4	September 25	at Seattle Seahawks	W 38–7	3–1	Kingdome	62,382	Recap
5	October 2	Detroit Lions	W 20–13	4–1	Candlestick Park	58,285	Recap
6	October 9	Denver Broncos	L 13–16 (OT)	4–2	Candlestick Park	61,711	Recap
7	October 16	at Los Angeles Rams	W 24–21	5–2	Anaheim Stadium	65,450	Recap
8	October 24	at Chicago Bears	L 9–10	5–3	Soldier Field	65,293	Recap
9	October 30	Minnesota Vikings	W 24–21	6–3	Candlestick Park	60,738	Recap
10	November 6	at Phoenix Cardinals	L 23–24	6–4	Sun Devil Stadium	64,544	Recap
11	November 13	Los Angeles Raiders	L 3–9	6–5	Candlestick Park	54,448	Recap
12	November 21	Washington Redskins	W 37–21	7–5	Candlestick Park	59,268	Recap
13	November 27	at San Diego Chargers	W 48–10	8–5	Jack Murphy Stadium	51,484	Recap
14	December 4	at Atlanta Falcons	W 13–3	9–5	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium	44,048	Recap
15	December 11	New Orleans Saints	W 30–17	10–5	Candlestick Park	62,977	Recap
16	December 18	Los Angeles Rams	L 16–38	10–6	Candlestick Park	62,444	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[]

Week 1 at New Orleans Saints[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

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).

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.")

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Game officials[]

Preseason[]

Week	Opponent	Referee	Umpire	Head Linesman	Line Judge	Back Judge	Side Judge	Field Judge	Replay
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
1	at New Orleans Saints	(9) Jerry Markbreit	(100) Bob Wagner	(72)	(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)	(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
view talk	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

Week 1: at New Orleans Saints Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints 1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 7 3 21 3 34 Saints 7 10 0 16 33 at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans Date: September 4 Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT Game weather: indoors Game attendance: 66,357 Referee: Jerry Markbreit TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator) Box Score Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP 49ers Saints 1 8:41 49ers Roger Craig 1-yard touchdown run, Mike Cofer kick good 7 0 1 1:24 Saints Eric Martin 2-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Hebert, Morten Andersen kick good 7 7 2 14:55 Saints Robert Clark 21-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Hebert, Morten Andersen kick good 7 14 2 8:47 Saints 20-yard field goal by Morten Andersen 7 17 2 6:55 49ers 25-yard field goal by Mike Cofer 10 17 3 11:05 49ers John Frank 9-yard touchdown reception from Joe Montana, Mike Cofer kick good 17 17 3 8:05 49ers Mike Wilson 71-yard touchdown reception from Joe Montana, Mike Cofer kick good 24 17 3 3:07 49ers John Frank 17-yard touchdown reception from Joe Montana, Mike Cofer kick good 31 17 4 13:26 Saints Lonzell Hill 18-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Hebert, Morten Andersen kick good 31 24 4 6:33 Saints Safety, Pat Swilling tackled Steve Young in end zone 31 26 4 1:50 49ers 32-yard field goal by Mike Cofer 34 26 4 0:21 Saints Brett Perriman 15-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Hebert, Morten Andersen kick good 34 33 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 34 33 Week 2: at New York Giants Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants 1 2 3 4 Total 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 attendance: 75,943 Referee: Gordon McCarter TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play–by–play), John Madden (color commentator) Box Score Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP 49ers Giants 2 14:51 49ers 35-yard field goal by Mike Cofer 3 7 2 0:09 Giants 36-yard field goal by Raul Allegre 10 10 3 7:51 49ers 26-yard field goal by Mike Cofer 13 10 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 17

Playoffs[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
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[]

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[]

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.

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

^[5]

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[]

External links[]

• 49ers on Pro Football Reference
• 49ers Schedule on jt-sw.com