One of the main catalysts for San Francisco's return to relevance in 2011 was the team's dominant defense—specifically against the run. The 49ers yielded the fewest rushing yards in the league (1,236), average yards per rush (3.5), and set an NFL record for fewest rushing touchdowns surrendered in a 16-game regular season (3).[1][2] The team did not allow a single 100 yard rusher nor a rushing touchdown through the first 14 weeks, and only three of their opponents gained over 100 total yards on the ground. In addition to their dominance against the run, San Francisco's defense finished second in points allowed (229, or 14.3/g),[2] fourth in yards allowed (308.1/g)[2] second in team interceptions (23),[2] and third in Pro Football Outsiders Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) power rankings.[3]
Despite their most successful season in years, the 49ers were 31st in the league in third-down conversion percentage in the regular season (29.1) and were 17.9 percent in the playoffs.[4]
Offseason
Coaching changes
Owner Jed York announced that he would hire a general manager and the new GM would make a decision on the new head coach to replace Mike Singletary after the 49ers' loss to the St. Louis Rams on December 26, 2010, that eliminated the team from the postseason.[5] On January 5, the 49ers promoted the vice president of player personnel, Trent Baalke, to the position of general manager.[6] On January 7, the 49ers hired Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh to be the 18th head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
With the hiring of a new head coach, many of the assistant coaches were replaced. Of the coordinators and position coaches from the previous season, only running backs coach Tom Rathman, defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, and offensive line coach Mike Solari were retained. The coaching staff featured Greg Roman as the new offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as the new defensive coordinator, both previously assistant coaches under Harbaugh at Stanford. Former Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Brad Seely was hired for the same roles with the 49ers. Geep Chryst was the new quarterbacks coach, Reggie Davis was the new tight ends coach. John Morton was the new wide receivers coach, and Tim Drevno was a new offensive line coach to help out Mike Solari. Jim Leavitt was the new linebackers coach and Ed Donatell was the new secondary coach. The staff also featured defensive assistants Peter Hansen and Ejiro Evero, offensive assistant Bobby Engram, and special assistant to the head coach Bill Nayes.
^[a] The 49ers acquired this fourth-round selection from the San Diego Chargers along with a 2010 third-round selection (#91 overall; used to select LBNaVorro Bowman) and a 2010 sixth-round selection (#173 overall; used to select RBAnthony Dixon) in exchange for a 2010 third-round selection (#79 overall).[7]
^[e] The 49ers acquired this second-round selection from the Denver Broncos in exchange for their second-round selection (#45 overall), a fourth-round selection (#108 overall), and a fifth-round selection (#141 overall).
^[f] The 49ers acquired this third-round selection (#80 overall) and this sixth-round selection (#180 overall) from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for their third-round selection (#76 overall).
^[g] The 49ers acquired this fifth-round selection (#163 overall) from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for their sixth-round selection (#174 overall) and a seventh-round selection (#231 overall).
The preseason game against the Raiders was marked by brawls in the stands and a major beating in a restroom at Candlestick Park. Because of this, the NFL officially canceled all future preseason games between the two teams. They now only meet in the regular season every four years when the NFC West plays the AFC West, or in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco trailed early in the first quarter as Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff got a 39-yard field goal, yet the 49ers answered with a 45-yard field goal from kicker David Akers. Baltimore struck back in the second quarter with Cundiff making a 23-yard field goal.
San Francisco began the third quarter with a 52-yard field goal from Akers, but the Ravens opened the fourth quarter with quarterback Joe Flacco completing an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dennis Pitta, followed by Cundiff nailing a 39-yard field goal. The Niners tried to rally, but Baltimore's defense held on to preserve the win.
With the loss, the 49ers fell to 9–2.
These two teams would meet again a year later in Super Bowl XLVII with the 49ers falling short 34–31.
Week 13: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Thirteen: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers– Game summary
SF – Michael Crabtree – 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
STL – Craig Dehl – 11 tackles, 2 assists
SF – NaVarro Bowman – 6 tackles
With the shutout win, not only did the 49ers improve to 10–2, but they also clinched 1st place in the NFC West for their first playoff berth since the 2002 season.
Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals– Game summary
PIT – Shaun Suisham 51-yard field goal, 49ers 6–3.
SF – Vernon Davis 1-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 13–3.
Fourth quarter
SF – Frank Gore 5-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 20–3.
Top passers
PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 25/44, 330 yards, 3 interceptions
SF – Alex Smith – 18/31, 187 yards, 1 touchdown
Top rushers
PIT – Rashard Mendenhall – 15 carries, 64 yards
SF – Frank Gore – 18 carries, 65 yards, 1 touchdown
Top receivers
PIT – Jerricho Cotchery – 5 carries, 93 yards
SF – Vernon Davis – 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
PIT – Troy Polamalu – 7 tackles
SF – NaVarro Bowman – 7 tackles, 1 assist
The 49ers traveled home for a game on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. It was delayed due to a power outage in their stadium. The lights went off again in the 2nd quarter when the 49ers were leading 6–0, which eventually became the score at halftime. In the 2nd half the 49ers would go on a 14 to 3 run to make the final score 20–3 and improve their record to 11–3.
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Sixteen: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
With the win, the 49ers improved to 12–3 and swept the Seahawks for the first time since 2006. The 49ers would not win at CenturyLink Field again until 2019.
Week 17: at St. Louis Rams
Week Seventeen: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams– Game summary
NO – Marques Colston 25-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 49ers 17–14,Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:04.
Third quarter
SF – David Akers 41-yard field goal, 49ers 20–14,Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:59.
Fourth quarter
NO – John Kasay 48-yard field goal, 49ers 20–17,Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 0:59.
SF – David Akers 37-yard field goal, 49ers 23–17,Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 3:02
NO – Darren Sproles 44-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), Saints 24–23,Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:34.
SF – Alex Smith 28-yard run (2-point conversion failed), 49ers 29–24,Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:51.
NO – Jimmy Graham 66-yard pass from Drew Brees (Drew Brees pass to Darren Sproles for two-point conversion), Saints 32–29,Drive: 4 plays, 88 yards, 0:34.
SF – Vernon Davis 14-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 36–32,'Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 1:28.
Alex Smith's 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with 9 seconds left gave San Francisco their first playoff win since 2002 at the end of a wild, back and forth final quarter which featured four lead changes in a span of 3:53. Sports writers and 49ers fans have taken to referring Davis' catch as The Catch III, as it occurred four days after the 30th anniversary of The Catch – Joe Montana's famous game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most famous plays in San Francisco 49ers history as it helped propel the 49ers to their first-ever Super Bowl, with both plays occurring with the 49ers trailing with less than a minute to play and facing 3rd down and 3 yards to go.[10] This game was voted the number 1 game of 2011 by NFL.com.[11] (The Catch II refers to Steve Young's game-winning pass to Terrell Owens in the 1998 NFC Divisional Playoff against the Green Bay Packers.) With the win, the 49ers improved to 14–3 and faced the New York Giants at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game.
NFC Championship: vs. #4 New York Giants
NFC Championship: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers– Game summary
For the fifth time in conference championship history and for the third time in five years, overtime decided the game, and as it was in the 2007 NFC Championship Game, a field goal by Lawrence Tynes was the winning score as the Giants defeated the 49ers for their fifth NFC Championship Game victory. The Giants became the third team in NFL history to advance to the Super Bowl with fewer than 10 wins during the regular season, joining the 1979 Los Angeles Rams and the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.
With Ted Ginn Jr. injured, Rookie Kyle Williams started at wide receiver and performed punt returns in the NFC Championship Game. He lost two fumbles returning punts, including one in overtime that preceded the game-winning field goal by the Giants. His other fumble in the fourth quarter was followed by a Giants' touchdown to retake the lead, 17–14. QB Alex Smith defended Williams, saying: "Offensively we weren't good enough today. We didn't get it done .... You can't put it on [Williams]". The 49ers did not make a 3rd down conversion until the 4th quarter. The 49ers' season ended with a 14–4 record.
Team statistics
Set franchise and NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season (10)
Fewest rushing touchdowns allowed in the NFL since 1978 (3)
Most consecutive games not allowing a rushing touchdown since 1970 (15)
Highest turnover differential in franchise history (+28)
Set franchise record of not allowing a 100-yard rusher in 36 consecutive games (dating back to 2009)
NFL record set for most field goals made and attempted in a single season (David Akers, 44 out of 52)
The 1994 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 45th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall, and their sixth under head coach George Seifert. This season was highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXIX. The championship made San Francisco the first team to win five Super Bowls. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the previous two conference championship games, the 49ers made significant acquisitions in the 1994 free agent market. This included the signing of two-sport star Deion Sanders and Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton, Jr. Sanders had a major impact on the team's success, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and recording six interceptions. The 49ers won their division, the NFC West, for the eighth time in nine seasons.
The 1989 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 40th in the National Football League (NFL), their 44th overall and their 1st season under head coach George Seifert. After going 14–2 in the regular season, the 49ers completed the season with one of the most dominant playoff runs of all time, outscoring opponents 126–26, earning their fourth Super Bowl victory and their second consecutive, where they defeated the Broncos, 55–10. They finished with the best record in the NFL for the first time since 1987. Their two losses were by a combined 5 points.
The 1984 San Francisco 49ers season was their 39th season in the National Football League (NFL). The season was highlighted by their second Super Bowl victory. The franchise had its best season ever, with a record of 15 wins and only 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Joe Montana would be awarded the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player Award for the second time in his career, joining Bart Starr and Terry Bradshaw as the only two-time Super Bowl MVPs.
The 2009 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 64th season, 60th in the National Football League (NFL), and the first and only full year with Mike Singletary as head coach after being named interim head coach in 2008. It is the seventh year in which the 49ers have their seventh offensive coordinator. They were looking to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2008 with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
The 2010 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 65th season, their 61st in the National Football League (NFL), and the third year with Mike Singletary as the head coach. The 49ers were looking to build upon their 8–8 season in 2009.
The 2013 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 64th in the National Football League (NFL), 68th overall and third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke. This marked the first season since 2004 that quarterback Alex Smith was not on the roster as he joined the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the 49ers' final season playing their home games at Candlestick Park before moving into Levi's Stadium for the 2014 season.
The 2015 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 66th in the National Football League (NFL), the 70th overall, second playing their home games at Levi's Stadium, and the only season under head coach Jim Tomsula. They were attempting to make history as the first Super Bowl host team to play the Super Bowl on their own home field, but they failed to improve on their 8–8 record from 2014, and ended with a 5–11 record to miss the playoffs for the second season in a row and finish with a losing record for the first time since 2010. They also finished last in the NFC West for the first time in a decade, and marked the 31st consecutive year in which the Super Bowl did not include the team in whose region the game was being played – a feat that never has been achieved since themselves in 1984.
The 2016 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 67th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 71st overall, the third playing its home games at Levi's Stadium, and the only season under head coach Chip Kelly. The season saw the 49ers attempting to rebound from their 5–11 record the previous year, but finished 2–14, with their only wins coming against their division rival Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers also nearly became the first team since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to win their opener and lose the remainder of their games, prior to the 49ers' Week 16 win over the Rams. The 49ers' record was their worst since 2004, when they also finished 2–14. The 49ers' 1–7 home record tied the worst home record in franchise history. As a result, the 49ers fired Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke.
The 2017 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 68th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 72nd overall. It was also the first season under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. After a 0–9 start, they won 6 of their last 7 games and finished the season 6–10, improving from their last two season records. Despite this, the 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 12.
The 2018 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 69th in the National Football League (NFL), their 73rd overall, their fifth playing their home games at Levi's Stadium and their second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.
The 2018 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL) and their ninth under head coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks improved on their 9–7 record from the 2017 season, finishing 10–6, the sixth time in seven years that they recorded at least ten wins in a season. They also played in London for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Oakland Raiders 27–3 in Week 6. With a win over the Kansas City Chiefs and eventual league MVP Patrick Mahomes in Week 16, the Seahawks returned to the playoffs; their seventh appearance in the nine seasons under Carroll. However, the Seahawks suffered their first one-and-done postseason campaign since 2004, as they fell to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round 22–24.
The 2019 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 70th in the National Football League (NFL), their 74th overall and their third under the head coach-general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. They finished their 2019 season with a 13–3 record, their best finish since 2011. Starting the season 8–0 for the first time since 1990, the 49ers surpassed their win totals from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons combined. The 49ers were the second straight NFC West team to start 8–0, with the other being the 2018 Rams. With a Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers clinched their first winning season since 2013. Despite a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, the 49ers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013 with a Los Angeles Rams loss. The 49ers beat the Cardinals for the first time since 2014, won in Seattle for the first time since 2011, and beat the Panthers in the regular season for the first time since 2001.
The 2019 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 44th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 10th under head coach Pete Carroll. It marked their first full season since 1996 without longtime owner Paul Allen, who had died during the 2018 season.
The 2020 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 45th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 11th season under head coach Pete Carroll. With a win over the Washington Football Team in Week 15, the Seahawks made the playoffs for the third consecutive year. With a Week 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, they improved upon their 11–5 record from the previous season. For the first time in franchise history, the Seahawks started 5–0. After a Week 16 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West title for the first time since 2016.
The 2021 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 84th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 85th overall, their 55th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second playing their home games at SoFi Stadium and their fifth under head coach Sean McVay.
The 2021 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 76th overall and their fifth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the team's founding in 1946, the 49ers introduced a commemorative logo to be used during this season.
The 2021 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 46th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 20th playing their home games at their current venue, Lumen Field, as well as their 12th under head coach Pete Carroll.
The 2022 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 73rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 77th overall, and their sixth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch.
The 2022 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 47th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 13th under the head coach/general manager tandem of Pete Carroll and John Schneider.
The 2023 season is the San Francisco 49ers' 74th in the National Football League (NFL), their 78th overall, their tenth playing their home games at Levi's Stadium and their seventh under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. This was the team's first season since 2013 and 2016, respectively, without safety Jimmie Ward and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster; Garoppolo signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 17, while Ward signed with the Houston Texans the following day.
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