1990 San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers entered the 1990 season heavily favored to win their third consecutive Super Bowl. The season was highlighted by their defeat of the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Throughout the season, the 49ers and the Giants were the two best teams in the NFL. The 49ers would face off against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. Between 1988 and 1990, the 49ers set a league record with 18 consecutive road victories. Jerry Rice had a career year by becoming the fourth receiver in the history of American football to have at least 100 receptions in one season.

The 49ers won their fifth consecutive NFC West Division Title. Dating back to 1989, the 49ers completed a fifteen game unbeaten streak in the regular season (5 victories in the last 5 games of 1989 and 10 victories in the first ten games of 1990). Following the 1990 season, the 49ers left team stalwarts Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott unprotected and let them go to the Los Angeles Raiders via Plan B free agency.

Regular season

 * October 14, 1990 - Joe Montana set a 49ers record by throwing for 476 yards in one game and throwing six touchdown passes.


 * October 14, 1990 – Jerry Rice set a 49ers record with 5 touchdown receptions and 30 points in one game.


 * November 4, 1990 - In a game versus the Green Bay Packers, Joe Montana threw for 411 yards and 3 touchdown passes.


 * December 3, 1990 – The 10-1 49ers played the 10-1 New York Giants on Monday Night Football. It was the second highest rated Monday Night game ever at the time. The game had a 42% share and a 26.9 rating.


 * December 9, 1990 – The 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. Mike Cofer kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 20-17 victory.

NFC Divisional Playoff
San Francisco 49ers 28, Washington Redskins 10

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 * stadium= Candlestick Park, San Francisco
 * date= January 12, 1991 (Sat)
 * time= 1:00 p.m. PST
 * weather= 51°F, light rain
 * TV=CBS
 * TVAnnouncers= Dick Stockton and Merlin Olsen
 * referee= Red Cashion
 * attendance= 65,292

NFC Championship Game
New York Giants 15, San Francisco 49ers 13

}} In a mostly defensive battle, 49ers running back Roger Craig's fumble with 2:36 left in the game led to Giants kicker Matt Bahr's 42-yard game-winning field goal as time ran out. Bahr was New York's only scorer, as he made 5 out of 6 field goal attempts. The only touchdown of the game was a 61-yard pass from Joe Montana to John Taylor.
 * stadium= Candlestick Park, San Francisco
 * date= January 20, 1991
 * time= 1:00 p.m. PST
 * weather= 51°F, passing clouds
 * TV=CBS
 * TVAnnouncers= Pat Summerall and John Madden
 * referee= Jerry Markbreit
 * attendance= 65,750

Awards and Records

 * Led NFC with 353 points scored
 * Charles Haley, Led NFC, Sacks (16)
 * Charles Haley, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Ronnie Lott, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Joe Montana, AP NFL MVP
 * Joe Montana, Associated Press Athlete of the Year
 * Joe Montana, NFC Pro Bowl Selection, Injured, did not play
 * Joe Montana, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
 * Guy McIntyre, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receptions (100)
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receiving Yards (1,502)
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receiving Touchdowns (13)
 * Jerry Rice, NFC Pro Bowl

Milestones

 * Jerry Rice, First 100 reception season