What are the best San Francisco 49ers teams of all-time? We know they have won five Super Bowl titles in their history. Is one of these teams not among the five best?
As San Francisco attempts to add a sixth Lombardi to the mix this year, we thought it made sense to look at some of the greatest teams from the past in Northern California.
From Joe Montana to Steve Young and Jerry Rice, there’s a rich history in San Francisco. So, what are the five best San Francisco 49ers teams of all-time? Where does this season’s version stack up?
5. 2023 San Francisco 49ers
For now, there is an asterisk here. The 2023 49ers would have to win the Super Bowl to be considered one of the best teams in franchise history. But what they did during the regular season was the definition of dominance. San Francisco outscored its opponents by an average of 12.4 points per game. It finished No. 3 in scoring and No. 3 in points allowed. Opposing quarterbacks threw 20 touchdowns compared to 22 interceptions. The 49ers boasted seven All-Pro players with nine Pro Bowl selections.
4. 1981 San Francisco 49ers
The 1981 49ers are known more for Dwight Clark’s “The Catch” in the NFC Championship Game against the favored Dallas Cowboys. The last-minute game-winning touchdown catch from Joe Montana ended one dynastic run and started another. Head coach and general manager Bill Walsh hit a home run in the draft that spring, acquiring starting defensive backs Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson within the first three rounds. It resulted in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.
3. 1984 San Francisco 49ers
The 1984 San Francisco 49ers were an absolute machine. Bill Walsh’s squad finished the regular season with a 15-1 record. It ranked No. 2 in scoring (29.7 points per game) and first in points allowed (14.2 points per game). The team’s only setback came Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers by the score of 20-17. Of their 15 wins, 10 came by double-digits. That included a 38-16 win over Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.
2. 1989 San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco completed its only back-to-back run of the dynasty by absolutely demolishing opponents in George Seifert’s first season replacing the legendary Bill Walsh. Joe Montana won NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Jerry Rice led the league with 1,483 receiving yards. San Francisco completed the regular season with a 14-2 record while outscoring its opponents by an average of two touchdowns per game. It culminated in a 55-10 win over the overmatched Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.
1. 1994 San Francisco 49ers
This San Francisco 49ers team actually paved the way for the NFL to start the salary cap era. General manager Carmen Policy added big names to the mix. That included the likes of defenders Ken Norton Jr., Gary Plummer, Rickey Jackson and future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. The end result was a 13-3 record with Steve Young finally getting that monkey off his back. How dominant were the 1994 49ers? They outscored their three playoff opponents by a combined 62 points, including a 49-26 win over the Chargers in the Super Bowl.
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