Clark added 5 receptions for 104 yards. But Johnson kept the Bengals moving on those plays, first rushing for eight yards and then gaining 14 yards on a screen pass on third down and 8. You don't help a team like San Francisco with four turnovers. According to offensive coordinator Lindy Infante, "It was a staff decision to go for the touchdown. Amos Lawrence, after returning the kickoff 17 yards, fumbled on the 26, where John Simmons recovered for the Bengals. So when the Bengals defeated Buffalo, 28-21, and San Diego, 27-7, in the AFC playoffs, Gregg became the first ex-player to coach in the Super Bowl. The 49ers defeated the Bengals by the score of 26-21 to win their first Super Bowl. wins. This was the fourth postseason meeting between the Cowboys and 49ers. There are only four teams left in the 2022 NFL season's playoffs as we head to the conference . (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli). Despite a game-time temperature of 9F (23C) and a 35-mile-per-hour wind that sent wind chills as low as 59F, Bengals' quarterback Ken Anderson threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, and rushed for 39 yards to lead his team to a victory. ", Griffin, who said he was surprised that the Niners would try a squib kick, revealed that "I used to have a theory on that kind of kick, that the first two bounces would be funny and the next bounce would be high. Find out more. The 49ers got another chance to score before halftime when they recovered a fumbled punt on the Dallas 42. The wide receiver on the left clears out so I can come underneath the zone coverage.". The Bengals were pushed back to their own 41 and Fred Dean, the defensive end obtained from San Diego, made matters worse by tackling Anderson for another four-yard loss, one of four Niner sacks during the game. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli), Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White (11) throws a pass during the NFL football game NFC Championship between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, California on January 10, 1982. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held in a cold-weather city. This was last season that local times were considered in scheduling afternoon playoff games for the first three rounds, and not strictly in the 12:30p.m. and 4:00p.m. EST time slots. For that, San Francisco has an amazing run in the 1980s, plus an extra. We didn't do anything different in the second half. They forced us to change quite a bit on every play. This was the first postseason meeting between the Buccaneers and Cowboys.[2]. San Francisco 49ers Franchise Encyclopedia. Within each conference, the three division winners and the two wild card teams (the top two non-division winners with the best overall regular season records) qualified for the playoffs. . Cincinnati's defense intercepted San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts twice and recovered two fumbles, while their offense did not commit a single turnover until late in the third quarter when they already had a solid lead. season was This was the first postseason meeting between the Chargers and Dolphins.[2]. This year has been a bit different, however, as the 49ers used a third-string . NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1982_San_Francisco_49ers_season&oldid=1132463114, Director of College Scouting Tony Razzano, LA Marcus Allen 4 receptions, 64 yards, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 00:39. The Bills next drive resulted in Ferguson's 4th consecutive interception, this one thrown to Jerry Holmes, but the Jets were forced to punt, and Lou Piccone returned Chuck Ramsey's 29-yard punt 5 yards to the New York 45-yard line. With Montana passing and Cooper and Ricky Patton running, the Niners advanced to the Cincinnati 5 with 18 seconds remaining before intermission. Then Miami was forced to punt and Chandler returned the ball 56 yards for a touchdown. The three division winners were seeded 1 through 3 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, and the wild card teams were seeded 4 and 5. Bills coach Chuck Knox later explained this was an attempt to prevent the defense from adjusting to new personnel, an attempt that would have paid off if the ball had been snapped on time, as Piccone did make a first down catch on the ensuing play.[6]. Their 1981 "gold strike" included five rookies, five more acquisitions by trade and 10 free agents. For more than 30 years, the 49ers had strained and struggled in a bid for distinction, but their best efforts produced only three division titles. Henry muffed the ensuing kickoff, and as he tried to pick it up, he lost the ball while being hit by Mike Dennis. Bruce Coslet, the special teams coach for Cincinnati, welcomed the squib kicks. and "We weren't even picked for third in our division," he noted. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1982 Topps NFC Championship #6 San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys at the best online prices at eBay! Ray Wersching's Super Bowl record-tying 4 field goals and Joe Montana's controlled passing helped lift the San Francisco 49ers to their first NFL championship with a 26-21 victory over Cincinnati. That the 49ers and Bengals were in the Super Bowl was remarkable in itself. Dallas took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 80-yards, including a 25-yard gain on a screen pass reception by Tony Dorsett, to score on running back Ron Springs' 1-yard rushing touchdown. Todd threw for 377 yards, while Ferguson threw for 268. Philadelphia then drove 80 yards, 44 of them coming from 3 Giants penalties, in 9 plays to score on Montgomery's 1-yard touchdown run, cutting their deficit to 27-21 with 2:51 left in the game. On the Giants next possession, Ronnie Lott's interception gave the 49ers a first down on their own 31-yard line, where they drove to a 177 lead on Freddie Solomon's 58-yard touchdown reception. "He told us we would have to score at least two more times," reported the left guard. A key aspect that had worked against Tampa Bay in the first half was starting field position. Brunner completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Perkins on the next play to make it 2417. NCAAM. A 16-yard drive, eating up three minutes, moved the ball to the 6 and, on fourth down, Wersching kicked a 23-yard field goal with only 1:57 to go. Player and team photos used with permission from, Why the 49ers split with K Robbie Gould makes sense for both sides, Report: Kicker Robbie Gould will enter free agency, won't return to 49ers in 2023, Why Albert Breer says "keep an eye on" Baker Mayfield to 49ers possibility, 49ers insider discusses the possibility of the team pursuing Khalil Mack. NHL. Joe Montana, selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1979 National Football League Draft, had a stellar career with the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.A master of late-game comebacks, Montana directed his teams to 31 fourth quarter come-from-behind wins during his illustrious career, including a 92-yard drive in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXIII. Jan. 24, 1982: 49ers Win Their First Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XVI. Cowboys kicker Rafael Septin later added a 32-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 100 halftime lead. In overtime, the Chargers took the opening kickoff and advanced to the Miami 8-yard line, but Benirschke missed a 27-yard field goal attempt. Their defense would shift as late as possible before the snap of the ball and we often didn't know who or where a guy would come into the gap. (Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated/Getty Images), Wide receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers makes "The Catch" in the end zone to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 28-27 during the NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park in San Fransisco on January 10, 1982. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli), Dallas Cowboys kicker Rafael Septien (1) attempts a field goal during the NFL football game NFC Championship between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, California on January 10, 1982. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. In addition to his 56-yard punt return touchdown, Chandler caught six passes for 106 yards. What they didn't know was that we worked our tails off all week on that play, too.". started the season with 7 losses. Taking the ball back after the missed field goal, Cincinnati put the game away with a 14-play touchdown drive. (AP Photo/Al Golub), San Francisco 49ers vs.Dallas Cowboys at Candlestick Park Sunday, January 10. The 49ers then drove to the Dallas 16-yard line, but once again they failed to score when Montana threw a pass that bounced out of Elliott's hands and was intercepted by Randy White. ", On the other end of the line, President Ronald Reagan said, "I wanted to congratulate you. Both conference champions had losing records the previous season, the only time this has happened. (Won 2 Rounds), Lost Conference Championship While surrounding areas shivered in below zero chill factors, 81,270 enjoyed 72-degree comfort in the huge, 5-year-old stadium. Four of those came in the 1980s, and were led by Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, Charles Haley, Fred Dean, and coaches Bill Walsh and George Seifert. 1950 San Francisco 49ers, who all Free shipping for many products! Harris caught six passes for 106 yards. The 49ers and Eagles don't have a rich playoff history, with Philadelphia and San Francisco meeting only one time in the postseason (49ers won 14-0 in 1996 NFC Wild Card round). Seasons: 78 (1946 to 2023) Record (W-L-T): 612-510-16 Playoff Record: 37-24 Super Bowls Won: 5 (7 Appearances) Championships Won *: 5 . Following a missed 37-yard field goal attempt by Mike-Mayer after the fumble recovery, Todd led the Jets to the Bills 38-yard line, only to throw another interception, this one to linebacker Phil Villapiano, who returned it 18 yards to the 40. 1989 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees Previous Season Next Season Record: 14-2-0, 1st in NFC West Division ( Schedule and Results ) Coach: George Seifert (14-2-0) Points For: 442 (27.6/g) 1st of 28 Points Against: 253 (15.8/g) 3rd of 28 Expected W-L: 12.6-3.4 SRS: 10.67 (1st of 28), SOS: -1.14 Playoffs: The third worst starts to a 49ers He failed to pick up an audible blocking change. The location of the game also set a precedent. (AP Photo/Al Golub), San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Joe Montana (16) during warm ups during the NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park in San Fransisco on January 10, 1982. San Diego responded with a drive to the Bengals 5-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs with less than three minutes left. ", Concerning the decision to pass up the field goal, Gregg said, "I figured that even if we didn't make it, it would put the 49ers on the 1-yard line. "I think Joe was thinking of the Gipper when we won. But Anderson, on a third-and-23 situation, connected with Collinsworth for 49 yards to the San Francisco 14. The 49ers-Raiders rivalry, once commonly known as the Battle of the Bay, is a professional American football rivalry between the National Football League (NFL)'s San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders.This rivalry is unique in that both teams are members of different conferences within the NFL and have never met in a postseason game. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? During their nonproductive years, the 49ers finished last six times, including the 1978 season when they won only two games and lost 14 under the split leadership of Pete McCulley and Fred O'Connor. This article relating to an American football season is a stub. In 1973, the division-champion Bengals were beaten by the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs. Reviewing the game and the season, Gregg found much to engender optimism. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Then Anderson went to work, rushing three times for 31 yards and completing a 19-yard pass to Ross on a drive that moved the ball inside the San Diego 10-yard line. Find out more. The win sent the 49ers to their first Super Bowl and snapped their three-game playoff losing streak to the Cowboys. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli), San Francisco 49ers free safety Dwight Hicks (22) raises his arms on a goal line stand during the NFL football game NFC Championship between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, California on January 10, 1982. 1981 NFC Championship Game - Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers - January 10, 1982 Wide receiver Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers makes "The Catch" in the end zone to. His teams also won postseason games in the Sun and Bluebonnet Bowls. On San Diego's opening drive, Dan Fouts' 47-yard completion to Wes Chandler set up Benirschke's 32-yard field goal. won the Super Bowl 5 times, in 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994. Today they all were funny. Dallas defensive back Everson Walls intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble, though he had the misfortune of being assigned to cover Clark on "the catch" play. We knew we were playing a great team. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. One cited reason for this was the last second substitution of receivers Piccone and Ron Jessie into the huddle. With Montana holding, Wersching kicked a 22-yard field goal, increasing the Niners' lead to 17-0. The San Francisco 49ers have played a total of 73 "The Bengals were throwing every conceivable blitz at us," said Walsh. 1982 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees Previous Season Next Season Record: 3-6-0, 3rd in NFC West Division ( Schedule and Results ) Coach: Bill Walsh (3-6-0) Points For: 209 (23.2/g) 7th of 28 Points Against: 206 (22.9/g) 23rd of 28 Expected W-L: 4.6-4.4 SRS: -2.43 (18th of 28), SOS: -2.77 (AP Photo/Al Golub), Ray Wersching (14) of the 49ers kicks the extra point, as Joe Montana (16) holds the ball, that gave them a 28-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys and a trip to the Super Bowl, Jan. 10, 1982, San Francisco, Calif. (AP Photo), San Francisco Line Backer Jack "hacksaw" Reynolds set his sites on Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Danny White (11) during the NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park in San Fransisco on January 10, 1982. but owner Jerry Jones is not fixated on the championship drought; just the . Both conference champions had losing records the previous season, the only time this has happened. Or write about sports? Ferguson threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, but completed only 15 of 31 passes and was intercepted twice. In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Conference Championship. NFC West. The 49ers won the game 28-27. Linebacker Keena Turner recovered a fumble from Leon Bright on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, and Ricky Patton scored on a 25-yard touchdown run a few plays later to give the 49ers a 247 lead. I told them what to expect. The San Francisco 49ers Cribbs rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, while also catching 4 passes for 64 yards. ", Bunz thought at first that "Alexander would come up inside. This was the first postseason meeting between the Bills and Bengals. at Shea Stadium, Flushing, Queens, New York. For the second consecutive season, the team finished with a 2-14 record. "Nine times out of 10 we'd wind up with good field position. The 49ers won the game 28-27. "He told us we couldn't let their offense on the field too long or eventually Anderson would burn us. They've been in the playoffs a total of 28 times in their 73 seasons. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Montana threw an interception to Bill Currier on the Giants 41-yard line. With their lead pared to six points, the 49ers turned to their time-consuming ground attack. After forcing Dallas to punt on the opening drive, San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana completed a 17-yard pass to Charle Young and a 24-yarder to Lenvil Elliott before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The worst running game in the league alongside a defense that went from second overall and points in 1981 to twenty-first and twenty-third respectively were the main culprits for the losing season. Much of the post-game talk centered on the 49ers' goal line stand and the general belief that they had only 10 men on the field for two of the plays. Their first season was in 1950, and their most recent season was in 2022. (Won 1 Round), Lost Divisional Round By the time Verser completed his lateral sprint, the ball was on the 4. In honor of Free Game Friday relive one of the greatest games ever, featuring \"The Catch\", announced by the great Vin Scully!00:00 - Start5:40 49ers Sack Danny White on 3rd Down11:30 Joe Montana 8-yard TD Pass to F. Solomon21:39 R. Septien 44-yard Field Goal26:13 Danny White 26-yard TD Pass to Tony Hill37:40 Montana Avoids Sack Then Launches Deep Throw40:18 Montana Picked Off by Walls46:08 Montana 20-yard TD Pass to Dwight Clark55:28 Tony Dorsett 5-yard TD Run58:56 Montana Sacked on Third Down by Too Tall Jones59:55 Cowboys Fumble Punt, 49ers Recover1:03:48 Montana Sack Stripped, Cowboys Recover1:06:17 Danny White Sacked on Third Down1:23:24 Montana Intercepted by Randy White1:24:59 Danny White Picked Off by B. Leopold1:30:01 Johny Davis 2-yard TD Run1:41:30 49ers Stop Cowboys on 3rd Down Inside the 10-yard line1:42:28 R. Septien 22-yard Field Goal1:45:23 49ers Fumble, Cowboys Recover1:48:43 Danny White 21-yard TD Pass to D. Cosbie1:52:05 Montana Picked Off by Walls2:00:52 Start of Montana Game-Winning Drive2:09:45 The Catch2:13:11 Start of Cowboys Final Drive2:13:30 Drew Pearson Almost Breaks Free for the Touchdown2:14:47 Danny White Sack Stripped, 49ers Recover2:16:50 49ers CelebrationThe 1981 NFC Championship game, and more specifically, \"The Catch,\" would prove to be a major turning point in NFL history as it launched the 49ers dynasty led by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.Subscribe to NFL: http://j.mp/1L0bVBuThe NFL YouTube channel is your home for immediate in-game highlights from your favorite teams and players, full NFL games, behind the scenes access, up-to-the-minute analysis and more!Check out our other channels:NFL Network http://www.youtube.com/nflnetworkNFL Films http://www.youtube.com/nflfilmsFor all things NFL, visit the league's official website at http://www.nfl.com/Start your free trial of NFL Game Pass: https://www.nfl.com/gamepassFantasy Football: http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootballWatch NFL Now: https://www.nfl.com/nowListen to NFL podcasts: http://www.nfl.com/podcastsWatch the NFL network: http://nflnonline.nfl.com/Download the NFL mobile app: https://www.nfl.com/apps2016 NFL Schedule: http://www.nfl.com/schedulesBuy tickets to watch your favorite team: http://www.nfl.com/ticketsShop NFL: http://www.nflshop.com/source/bm-nflcom-Header-Shop-TabLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NFLFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NFLFollow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/nfl/ Super Bowl, Lost Conference Championship The Jets took advantage again with another Leahy field goal to bring the team within 11 points at 24-13. In the second quarter, New York had a chance to increase their lead with a drive into Eagles territory, but Philadelphia's defense dug in and stuffed Brunner for no gain on a 4th and 1 conversion attempt on the 35. The team was coming off a Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. On the Jets next drive, Rufus Bess intercepted a pass from Todd and returned it 49 yards to the New York 12, leading to a 29-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer. In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. After Commissioner Pete Rozelle's presentation of the Vince Lombardi Trophy to 49ers Owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., a telephone was thrust into Walsh's hand. The 49ers were a sorry sight when Walsh assembled them at Santa Clara for training camp in 1979. Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories (1982, 1985, 1989, 1990) and was named the Super Bowl's Most . This season was the only one in an 18-season span in which the 49ers did not win at least ten games. Take a look at the photographs that served as the artistic blueprint for Super Bowl LVII, and see how they were incorporated into the numerous event spaces throughout the state. Fellow linebacker Craig Puki later said that he thought Turner had missed two plays, but he was in his stance and evidently did not see Turner race onto the field at the last instance for the first-down play from the 3.