San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl History
By Jerry Trotta
It's official, folks: the San Francisco 49ers will square off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Feb. 2 in Super Bowl LIV.
The 49ers have the third-most Super Bowl wins in the history of the NFL, but it's been a long time since they've competed to hoist Lombardi Trophy. Let's take a stroll down memory lane and re-visit all of the Niners' trips to the championship.
1981: 49ers vs Bengals
San Fran won its first Super Bowl under legendary head coach Bill Walsh, toppling Cincinnati 26-21 in a thrilling fixture. Hall of Famer Joe Montana took home Super Bowl XV MVP honors as he thew for 157 yards and a touchdown, adding 18 yards and a score with his legs.
49ers entered the regular season at 40-1 to win the Super Bowl…
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 20, 2020
If they win it all, welcome to the club ?
Highest Preseason Odds to Win Super Bowl — Last 40 Years
150-1: 1999 Rams
60-1: 2001 Patriots
50-1: 1981 49ers
40-1: 2017 Eagles
(via @SOhistory) pic.twitter.com/Zm917MmlKb
1984: 49ers vs Dolphins
Walsh and Montana were at it again in Super Bowl XVIII as San Francisco absolutely thumped the Dolphins by a final score of 38-16 to capture the franchise's second world championship in three seasons. Montana out-dueled Dan Marino and was named MVP, compiling over 330 yards and three touchdowns.
"That team was just loaded!" ?
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 16, 2019
The 1984 @49ers went 15-1 and became Super Bowl champs ?? #NFL100
?: NFL 100 GREATEST TEAMS on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/ZaSjEPJOW4
1988: 49ers vs Bengals
Cincinnati (again) couldn't overcome San Francisco's greatness on football's biggest stage, faltering to a 20-16 defeat in Super Bowl XXII. This marked the 49ers' third world championship of the decade. Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice was named MVP for his efforts, posting a stunning line of 11 receptions for 215 yards and a TD.
Vernon Davis' 180 yards receiving are 2nd-most in a playoff game in 49ers history. Jerry Rice had 215 in the Super Bowl in the 1988 season
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 15, 2012
1989: 49ers vs Broncos
George Seifert took over for a retired Walsh and led the 49ers to a SB in his first year at the helm. Ironically enough, he enjoyed the same luck that Walsh did, as San Fran trounced John Elway and the Broncos, 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIII
Montana won his fourth (and final) SB MVP as he logged 297 yards and five scores through the air.
New wine collection commemorating the 49ers’ five Super Bowls. I got the 1989 one: Greatest team in NFL history? 55-10 Super Bowl win over the Broncos, probably a bad call away from 19-0. pic.twitter.com/U8iwSlBm7i
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 13, 2019
1994: 49ers vs Chargers
After a brief gap between SB appearances for San Francisco, Seifert's squad went on to clobber San Diego 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX. This marked the passing of the torch at the QB position as the Steve Young era began. Not only did Young hoist the league MVP award, but he was named Super Bowl MVP as well.
Steve Young had led the NFL in passer rating four straight years and won the 1994 MVP.
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) October 3, 2018
But the @49ers QB still remained somewhat in the shadow of Joe Montana, criticized for "not being able to win the big game."
Then came Super Bowl XXIX. (Jan. 29, 1995) pic.twitter.com/aRmqbIrXe8
2012: 49ers vs Ravens
San Fran endured a longer-than-expected drought until their next Super Bowl berth in 2012 against Baltimore. Second-year HC Jim Harbaugh led them to the promised land but ultimately finished second-best to his brother, John, as the Ravens went on to win, 34-31 in a true barnburner. Joe Flacco was named MVP, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
This served as the 49ers' first-ever Super Bowl loss, and they'll look to avenge that defeat against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.