The 1970 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 21st season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 25th overall. In a huge turnaround from their previous season quarterback John Brodie won the NFL MVP and the 49ers captured their first Divisional Title with a 10–3–1 record. Cornerback Bruce Taylor won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In the NFC Championship , the 49ers lost to the Dallas Cowboys in their final game at Kezar Stadium .
After this season the Niners bid farewell to Kezar, and moved to an expanded Candlestick Park .
Top Players [ ]
John Brodie Had an outstanding season, passing for 2,941 yards and 24 touchdowns, against only 10 interceptions. After the season Brodie won every possible Most Valuable Player award. Receiver Gene Washington was his favorite target, catching 53 passes for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns, winning a Pro Bowl berth for his efforts.
Off Season [ ]
NFL Draft [ ]
Main article: 1970 NFL draft
Source: [ 1]
Preseason [ ]
Regular season [ ]
Schedule [ ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Score
Record
Att.
Location
1
September 20
Washington
W
26-17
1-0
34,984
Kezar Stadium
2
September 27
Cleveland
W
34-31
2-0
37,502
Kezar Stadium
3
October 4
at Atlanta
L
21-20
2-1
58,850
Atlanta Stadium
4
October 11
at Los Angeles
W
20-6
3-1
77,272
LA Coliseum
5
October 18
New Orleans
T
20-20
3-1-1
39,446
Kezar Stadium
6
October 25
Denver
W
19-14
4-1-1
39,515
Kezar Stadium
7
November 1
Green Bay
W
26-10
5-1-1
59,335
Kezar Stadium
8
November 8
at Chicago
W
37-16
6-1-1
45,607
Wrigley Field
9
November 15
at Houston
W
30-20
7-1-1
43,040
Astrodome
10
November 22
at Detroit
L
28-7
7-2-1
56,232
Tiger Stadium
11
November 29
Los Angeles
L
30-13
7-3-1
59,602
Kezar Stadium
12
December 6
Atlanta
W
24-20
8-3-1
41,387
Kezar Stadium
13
December 13
at New Orleans
W
38-27
9-3-1
61,940
Tulane Stadium
14
December 20
at Oakland
W
38-7
10-3-1
54,535
Oakland Coliseum
Game summaries [ ]
Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins [ ]
Week 1: Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Redskins
7
3
0
7
17
49ers
7
9
7
3
26
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
SF – Doug Cunningham 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 7–0.
WAS – Larry Brown 75 yard rush, (Curt Knight kick), Tied 7-7.
Second quarter
SF – Jimmy Johnson tackled Larry Brown in end zone. 49ers 9-7.
SF – Ken Willard 7 yard rush (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 16-7.
WAS – Curt Knight 18 yard field goal. 49ers 16-10.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
WAS - Jerry Smith 10 yard pass from Sonny Jurgensen , (Curt Knight kick), 49ers 23-17.
SF – Bruce Gossett 21 yard field goal. 49ers 26-17.
Top passers
Top rushers
WAS - Larry Brown - 6 rushes, 74 yards, TD
SF – Ken Willard – 17 rushes, 65 yards, TD
Top receivers
WAS - Jerry Smith - 4 receptions, 55 yards, TD
SF – Gene Washington – 6 receptions, 95 yards
Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns [ ]
Week 2: Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Browns
7
10
7
7
31
49ers
14
7
0
13
34
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 20 yard field goal. 49ers 14-10.
SF – Jimmy Thomas 15 yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 21-10.
CLE – Fair Hooker 8 yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick), 49ers 21-17.
Third quarter
CLE – Leroy Kelly 33 yard rush, (Don Cockroft kick), Browns 24-21.
Fourth quarter
SF - Ken Willard 9 yard rush, (kick failed), 49ers 27-24.
CLE - Leroy Kelly 8 yard rush, (Don Cockroft kick), Browns 31-27.
SF – Jimmy Thomas 61 yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 34-31.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
ATL - Fair Hooker - 4 receptions, 157 yards, TD
SF – Jimmy Thomas – 4 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TDs
Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
SF - Ken Willard 3 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 7-0.
ATL - Cannonball Butler 3 yard pass from Bob Berry , (Ken Vinyard kick), Tied 7-7.
Third quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 27 yard field goal. 49ers 10-7.
SF – Bob Windsor 1 yard pass from [John Brodie]], (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-7.
Fourth quarter
ATL - Jim Mitchell 9 yard pass from Bob Berry, (Ken Vinyard kick), 49ers 17-14.
SF - Bruce Gossett 43 yard field goal. 49ers 20-14.
ATL - Gail Cogdill 7 yard pass from Bob Berry, (Ken Vinyard kick), Falcons 21-20.
Top passers
SF – John Brodie – 16/27, 182 yards, TD
ATL – Bob Berry – 17/32, 217 yards, 3 TDs
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 25 rushes, 90 yards, TD
ATL – Cannonball Butler – 17 rushes, 127 yards
Top receivers
SF - Preston Riley - 4 receptions, 9 yards
ATL – Paul Flatley – 6 receptions, 99 yards
Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
SF - John Brodie 12 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 7-0.
SF - Bruce Gossett 42 yard field goal. 49ers 10-0.
LA - David Ray 16 yard field goal. 49ers 10-3.
LA - David Ray 31 yard field goal. 49ers 10-6.
Third quarter
SF – Gene Washington 59 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-6.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 15 yard field goal. 49ers 20-6.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Doug Cunningham - 16 rushes, 22 yards
LA – Les Josephson – 13 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 7 receptions, 145 yards, TD
LA – Les Josephson – 6 receptions, 55 yards
Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 5: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
3
3
0
14
20
49ers
3
0
10
7
20
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
NO – Tom Dempsey 40 yard field goal, Saints 3-0.
SF - Bruce Gossett 21 yard field goal. Tied 3-3.
Second quarter
NO – Tom Dempsey 24 yard field goal. Saints 6-3.
Third quarter
SF – Gene Washington 9 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 10-6.
SF - Bruce Gossett 48 yard field goal. 49ers 13-6.
Fourth quarter
NO - Dan Abramowicz 7 yard pass from Bill Kilmer , (Tom Dempsey kick), Tied 13-13.
SF – Gene Washington 9 yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 20-13.
NO - Dave Parks 13 yard pass from Bill Kilmer, (Tom Dempsey kick), Tied 20-20
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
NO - Ken Burrough - 3 receptions, 83 yards
SF – Gene Washington – 4 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDs
Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos [ ]
Week 6: Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Broncos
7
7
0
0
14
49ers
3
3
10
3
19
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 16 yard field goal. 49ers 3-0.
DEN - Floyd Little 80 yard rush. (Bobby Howfield kick), Broncos 7-3.
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 20 yard field goal. Broncos 7-6.
DEN - Willis Crenshaw 10 yard pass from Pete Liske , (Bobby Howfield kick), Broncos 14-6.
Third quarter
SF – John Isenbarger 9 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). Broncos 14-13.
SF - Bruce Gossett 25 yard field goal. 49ers 16-14.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 13 yard field goal. 49ers 19-14.
Top passers
DEN – Pete Liske – 8/17, 103 yards, TD, 2 INTs
SF – John Brodie – 16/35, 234 yards, TD
Top rushers
DEN - Floyd Little - 16 rushes, 140 yards, TD
SF – Ken Willard – 22 rushes, 94 yards
Top receivers
DEN - Bobby Anderson - 3 receptions, 49 yards
SF – John Isenbarger – 2 receptions, 59 yards, TD
Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers [ ]
Week 7: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Packers
3
7
0
0
10
49ers
0
10
10
6
26
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
GB - Dale Livingston 9 yard field goal, Packers 3-0.
Second quarter
SF – Bob Windsor 6 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 7-3.
GB - Jack Clancy 33 yard pass from Don Horn , (Dale Livingston kick), Packers 10-7.
SF - Bruce Gossett 12 yard field goal. Tied 10-10.
Third quarter
SF – Doug Cunningham 6 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 17-10.
SF - Bruce Gossett 24 yard field goal. 49ers 20-10.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 41 yard field goal. 49ers 23-10.
SF - Bruce Gossett 36 yard field goal. 49ers 26-10.
Top passers
GB – Don Horn – 7/23, 134 yards, TD, 3 INTs
SF – John Brodie – 10/20, 127 yards, TD
Top rushers
GB - Donny Anderson - 15 rushes, 105 yards
SF – Doug Cunningham – 14 rushes, 47 yards, TD
Top receivers
GB - Jack Clancy - 3 receptions, 63 yards, TD
SF – Bob Windsor – 3 receptions, 22 yards, TD
Week 8: at Chicago Bears [ ]
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
3
7
14
13
37
Bears
13
0
3
0
16
at Wrigley Field , Chicago, Illinois
Game information
First quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 40 yard field goal. 49ers 3-0.
CHI - Mack Percival 36 yard field goal. Tied 3-3.
CHI - Dick Gordon 25 yard pass from Jack Concannon , (Mack Percival kick), Bears 10-3
CHI - Mack Percival 37 yard field goal. Bears 13-3.
Second quarter
SF - Bill Tucker 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). Bears 13-10.
Third quarter
CHI - Mack Percival 19 yard field goal. Bears 16-10.
SF – Ken Willard 7 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-16.
SF – Gene Washington 79 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-16.
Fourth quarter
SF – Gene Washington 10 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-16.
SF – Ken Willard 4 yard pass from Steve Spurrier , (kick failed), 49ers 37-16.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 8 rushes, 29 yards
CHI – Ross Montgomery – 11 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
Week 9: at Houston Oilers [ ]
Week 9: San Francisco 49ers at Houston Oilers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
0
9
14
30
Oilers
7
3
3
7
20
at Astrodome , Houston, Texas
Game information
First quarter
SF – Jimmy Thomas 54 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 7-0.
HOU - Roy Hopkins 4 yard rush, (Roy Gerela kick). Tied 7-7.
Second quarter
HOU - Roy Gerela 26 yard field goal. Oilers 10-7.
Third quarter
SF - Al Randolph safety, blocked punt in end zone. Oilers 10-9.
SF – Dick Witcher 9 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 16-10.
HOU - Roy Gerela 26 yard field goal. 49ers 16-13.
Fourth quarter
SF – Ken Willard 3 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 23-16.
SF – Gene Washington 15 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 30-13.
HOU - Roy Hopkins 1 yard rush, (Roy Gerela kick). 49ers 30-20.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Doug Cunningham - 18 rushes, 92 yards
HOU – Roy Hopkins – 16 rushes, 78 yards, 2 TDs
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 4 receptions, 62 yards, TD
HOU – Mike Richardson – 6 receptions, 74 yards
Week 10: at Detroit Lions [ ]
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
0
7
0
7
Lions
7
7
7
7
28
at Tiger Stadium , Detroit, Michigan
Game information
First quarter
DET - Mel Farr 2 yard rush, (Errol Mann kick). Det 7-0.
Second quarter
DET – Charlie Sanders 19 yard pass from Greg Landry , (Errol Mann kick), Lions 14-0.
Third quarter
DET – Larry Walton 23 yard pass from Greg Landry, (Errol Mann kick), Lions 21-0.
SF – Doug Cunningham 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), Lions 21-7.
Fourth quarter
DET – Earl McCullouch 18 yard pass from Greg Landry, (Errol Mann kick), Lions 28-7.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 13 rushes, 49 yards
DET – Mel Farr – 16 rushes, 117 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF - Bob Windsor - 4 receptions, 38 yards
DET – Larry Walton – 3 receptions, 38 yards, TD
Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 11: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Rams
0
6
10
14
30
49ers
3
10
0
0
13
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 44 yard field goal. 49ers 6-0.
LA - David Ray 36 yard field goal. 49ers 6-3.
LA - David Ray 9 yard field goal. Tied 6-6.
SF – Gene Washington 9 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 13-6.
Third quarter
LA – Willie Ellison 1 yard rush, (David Ray kick). Tied 13-13.
LA - David Ray 24 yard field goal. Rams 16-13.
Fourth quarter
LA - Willie Ellison 2 yard rush, (David Ray kick). Rams 23-13.
LA - Willie Ellison 8 yard rush, (David Ray kick). Rams 30-13.
Top passers
Top rushers
LA - Willie Ellison - 9 rushes, 51 yards, 3 TDs
SF – Doug Cunningham – 9 rushes, 60 yards
Top receivers
LA - Bill Truax - 3 receptions, 30 yards
SF – Gene Washington – 3 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
13
0
7
0
20
49ers
0
7
7
10
24
at Kezar Stadium , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
ATL - Jim Mitchell 46 yard pass from Bob Berry , (kick failed). Falcons 6-0.
ATL - John Mallory 17 yard fumble return, (Ken Vinyard kick). Falcons 13-0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
ATL - Jim Mitchell 12 yard pass from Bob Berry, (Ken Vinyard kick). Falcons 20-7.
SF - Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). Falcons 20-14.
Fourth quarter
SF - Ken Willard 2 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 21-20.
SF - Bruce Gossett 24 yard field goal. 49ers 24-20.
Top passers
ATL – Bob Berry – 8/18, 100 yards, 2 TDs
SF – John Brodie – 20/30, 268 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ATL - Harmon Wages - 15 rushes, 68 yards
SF – Ken Willard – 12 rushes, 36 yards, 2 TDs
Top receivers
ATL - Jim Mitchell - 3 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TDs
SF – Gene Washington – 3 receptions, 115 yards, TD
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 13: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
10
14
7
38
Saints
14
7
0
6
27
at Tulane Stadium , New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 42 yard field goal. Saints 14-10.
NO – Don McCall 1 yard rush, (Tom Dempsey kick), Saints 21-10.
SF - John Brodie 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett Kick), Saints 21-17
Third quarter
SF – Gene Washington 37 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-21.
SF – Gene Washington 26 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-21.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Taylor 92 yard field goal attempt return, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 38-21.
NO - Dan Abramowicz 20 yard pass from Bill Kilmer, (kick failed). 49ers 38-27.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 17 rushes, 60 yards
NO – Tom Barrington – 14 rushes, 56 yards
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 5 receptions, 131 yards, 3 TDs
NO – Dan Abramowicz – 7 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TDs
Week 14: at Oakland Raiders [ ]
Week 14: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
SF - Bill Tucker 28 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-7.
SF - Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 38-7.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 27 rushes, 79 yards, TD
OAK – Hewritt Dixon – 11 rushes, 44 yards
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 2 receptions, 65 yards, TD
OAK – Warren Wells – 4 receptions, 99 yards
Standings [ ]
Personnel [ ]
Staff / Coaches [ ]
1970 San Francisco 49ers final staff
Front Office
Team Owner(s) - Josephine Morabito & Jane Morabito
General manager / Team President – Louis Spadia
Personnel Scout - Dick Gallagher
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Chief of Offense / Offensive Coordinator - Ed Hughes
Offensive Consultant – Y.A. Tittle
Offensive Backfied – Mike Holovak
Offensive Line / Blocking – Ernie Zwahlen
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line – Paul Wiggin
Linebackers – Mike Giddings
Defensive Backfield / Secondary – Jim Shofner
Special Teams Coaches
Roster [ ]
1970 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
42 Doug Cunningham
24 Jimmy Thomas
45 Bill Tucker
40 Ken Willard FB
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
79 Cas Banaszek T
65 Randy Beisler G
75 Forrest Blue C
66 Elmer Collett G
69 Woody Peoples G
76 Len Rohde T
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice/Taxi Squad
Rookies in italics
Playoffs [ ]
Divisional Playoff - December 27 [ ]
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
3
0
7
17
Vikings
7
0
0
7
14
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Fourth Quarter
NFC Championship - January 3 [ ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Cowboys
0
3
14
0
17
49ers
3
0
7
0
10
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Dal - Mike Clark 21 yard field goal
Third Quarter
Awards and records [ ]
Milestones [ ]
References [ ]