1989 San Francisco 49ers season


The 1989 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 44th season in the National Football League and first under head coach George Seifert. After going 14–2 in the regular season, the 49ers completed the season with a dominant playoff run, outscoring opponents 126–26 and winning their fourth Super Bowl victory.
In 2007, ESPN.com's Page 2 ranked the 1989 49ers as the greatest team in Super Bowl history.
This was the season where the 49ers added the black trim on the SF logo on the helmets which lasted until the 1995 season and the final season the team wore screen printed numbers on jerseys.
Quarterback Joe Montana had one of the greatest statistical passing seasons in NFL history in 1989. Montana set a then-NFL record with a passer rating of 112.4, with a completion percentage of 70.2%, and a 26/8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the playoffs, Montana was even more dominant, with a 78.3% completion percentage, 800 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 146.4 rating. Cold Hard Football Facts calls Montana's 1989 season "the one by which we must measure all other passing seasons."

Offseason

NFL Draft

Training Camp

The 1989 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.

Personnel

Staff

Roster

Pre season

Schedule

Notes:

Game officials

Regular season

The 49ers offense was just as dominating as it was during the previous regular season. Quarterback Joe Montana threw for 3,512 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, giving him what was then the highest passer rating in NFL history. Montana also rushed for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns, and earned both the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Wide receiver Jerry Rice had another outstanding season, catching 82 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Roger Craig was the team's leading rusher with 1,054 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he recorded 49 receptions for 473 yards and another touchdown.
But other stars on the 49ers offense began to emerge, enabling the team to spread the ball around. After being used primarily as a punt returner during his first 2 seasons, wide receiver John Taylor had a breakout season, catching 60 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning 36 punts for 417 yards. Tight End Brent Jones recorded 40 receptions for 500 yards. Fullback Tom Rathman had the best season of his career, rushing for 305 yards and catching 73 passes for 616 yards. Even Montana's backup, quarterback Steve Young had a great year, throwing for 1,001 yards and 8 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions, while also rushing for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. With all of these weapons, San Francisco's offense led the league in total yards from scrimmage and scoring. The 49ers Defense was ranked #3 in the NFL. Three starters from the Defense made the 1989 All-Pro Team:

Schedule

Notes:

Season summary

Week 1 at Indianapolis Colts">1989 Indianapolis Colts season">Indianapolis Colts

Week One proved to be a struggle for the Niners as Joe Montana led five scoring drives putting the Niners ahead by 23-10 entering the fourth, but Chris Chandler ran in a touchdown early in the fourth and a 58-yard touchdown bomb to Jerry Rice was answered by a goalline fumble recovery for a touchdown by the Colts; they could get no closer than a 30-24 Niners margin.

Week 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers">1989 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season">Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles">1989 Philadelphia Eagles season">Philadelphia Eagles

The Niners fell behind 21-10 in the fourth but despite giving up a safety Joe Montana erupted, outscoring the Eagles 28-7 and throwing for 428 yards and five touchdowns in total, winning 38-28.

Week 4 vs. Los Angeles Rams">1989 Los Angeles Rams season">Los Angeles Rams

Week 5 at New Orleans Saints">1989 New Orleans Saints season">New Orleans Saints

This game was originally scheduled for Candlestick Park, but was played at the Louisiana Superdome instead because the 49ers' fellow Candlestick Park tenant, the San Francisco Giants, played host to Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1989 National League Championship Series. The November 6 game was moved to San Francisco.

Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys">1989 Dallas Cowboys season">Dallas Cowboys

Week 7 vs. New England Patriots">1989 New England Patriots season">New England Patriots

This game was played at Stanford Stadium, as Candlestick Park had sustained damage in the Loma Prieta earthquake five days earlier.

Week 8 at [1989 [New York Jets season|New York Jets]]

Week 9 vs. New Orleans Saints">1989 New Orleans Saints season">New Orleans Saints

This game was originally scheduled for Louisiana Superdome, but was played at Candlestick Park instead, because the originally scheduled October 8 game at Candlestick Park was moved to the Louisiana Superdome.

Week 10 vs. Atlanta Falcons">1989 Atlanta Falcons season">Atlanta Falcons

Week 11 vs. Green Bay Packers">1989 Green Bay Packers season">Green Bay Packers

The Niners fell to the Green Bay Packers, what would be the final loss of the season for the Niners, as Don Majkowski ran in two touchdowns and threw a third, overcoming 325 yards by Joe Montana, who was sacked five times. The 49ers took the lead in the 4th quarter on an interception return for a touchdown, however a penalty nullified the score.

Week 12 vs. New York Giants">1989 New York Giants season">New York Giants

Week 13 at Atlanta Falcons">1989 Atlanta Falcons season">Atlanta Falcons

Week 14 at Los Angeles Rams">1989 Los Angeles Rams season">Los Angeles Rams

In what many 49ers fans consider one of the greatest regular season wins in team history, the 49ers come from a 27-10 4th quarter deficit to beat the Rams 30-27. The Rams had already beaten the 49ers earlier in the year and looked poised to do it again. but the 49ers with help from John Taylor's big game, took the lead late with a Roger Craig 1 yard touchdown. John Taylor had 11 catches for an astonishing 286 yards receiving, which included a touchdown catch of 92 yards, and another touchdown catch for 96 yards. Joe Montana was 30 for 42 and passed for 458 yards.

Week 15 vs. Buffalo Bills">1989 Buffalo Bills season">Buffalo Bills

Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears">1989 Chicago Bears season">Chicago Bears

Game officials

Standings

Playoffs

Notes:

NFC Divisional Playoff

NFC Championship

[Super Bowl XXIV]

Game officials

Media

Pre season Local TV

Local Radio

1990 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl

NumberPlayerPositionConference
33Roger CraigRBNFC Pro Bowlers
42Ronnie LottFSNFC Pro Bowlers
62Guy McIntyreGNFC Pro Bowlers
16Joe MontanaQB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
80Jerry RiceWR, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
82John TaylorWRNFC Pro Bowlers

Awards and records