The 1972 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 23rd year with the National Football League, and 27th overall. The 49ers appeared in the playoffs for the third consecutive year, each time being eliminated by the Dallas Cowboys.
Offseason[]
NFL Draft[]
Personnel[]
Staff / Coaches[]
| 1972 San Francisco 49ers final staff
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Front Office
- Team Owner(s) - Josephine Morabito & Jane Morabito
- General manager / Team President – Louis Spadia
- Personnel Scout - Dick Gallagher
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
- Offensive Coordinator - Jim Shofner
- Quarterbacks / Wide Receivers – Jim Shofner
- Offensive Backs – Doug Scovil
- Offensive Line / Blocking – Dick Stanfel
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Defensive Coaches
- Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line – Paul Wiggin
- Linebackers – Mike Giddings
- Defensive Backfield / Secondary – Don Heinrich
Special Teams Coaches
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Roster[]
| 1972 San Francisco 49ers roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
- 83 Terry Beasley
- 17 John Isenbarger RB
- 85 Preston Riley
- 18 Gene Washington
- 88 Dick Witcher
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
- 79 Cas Banaszek T
- 77 Jean Barrett T
- 65 Randy Beisler G
- 75 Forrest Blue C
- 66 Elmer Collett G
- 69 Woody Peoples G
- 76 Len Rohde T
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
None
Practice/Taxi Squad
None
Rookies in italics
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Preseason[]
Regular season[]
Schedule[]
| Week
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Date
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Opponent
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Result
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Score
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Record
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Att.
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Location
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| 1
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September 17
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San Diego
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W
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34-3
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1-0
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56,906
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Candlestick Park
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| 2
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September 24
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at Buffalo
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L
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27-20
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1-1
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45,825
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War Memorial Stadium
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| 3
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October 1
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at New Orleans
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W
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37-2
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2-1
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69,840
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Tulane Stadium
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| 4
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October 8
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at Los Angeles
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L
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31-7
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2-2
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77,382
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LA Coliseum
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| 5
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October 15
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NY Giants
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L
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23-17
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2-3
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53,284
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Candlestick Park
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| 6
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October 22
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New Orleans
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T
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20-20
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2-3-1
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53,571
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Candlestick Park
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| 7
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October 29
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at Atlanta
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W
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49-14
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3-3-1
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58,850
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Atlanta Stadium
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| 8
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November 5
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at Green Bay
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L
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34-24
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3-4-1
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47,897
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Milwaukee Cty. St.
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| 9
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November 12
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Baltimore
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W
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24-21
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4-4-1
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57,225
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Candlestick Park
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| 10
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November 19
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at Chicago
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W
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34-21
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5-4-1
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65,201
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Soldier Field
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| 11
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November 23 (Thu)
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at Dallas
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W
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31-10
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6-4-1
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65,214
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Texas Stadium
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| 12
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December 4 (Mon)
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Los Angeles
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L
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26-16
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6-5-1
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60,175
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Candlestick Park
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| 13
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December 10
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Atlanta
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W
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20-0
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7-5-1
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57,523
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Candlestick Park
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| 14
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December 16 (Sat)
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Minnesota
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W
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20-17
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8-5-1
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58,502
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Candlestick Park
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Game Summaries[]
Week 1: vs. San Diego Chargers[]
Week 1: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Chargers
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3
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0
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0
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0
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3
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| 49ers
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7
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17
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7
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3
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34
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 43 yard field goal. 49ers 10-3.
- SF – Gene Washington 23 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-3.
- SF – Gene Washington 45 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-3.
Third quarter
- SF – Jimmy Thomas 4 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-3.
Fourth quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 20 yard field goal. 49ers 34-3.
Top passers
Top rushers
- SD – Mike Garrett - 19 rushes, 80 yards, TD
- SF – Jimmy Thomas – 13 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Top receivers
- SD – Dave Williams - 3 receptions, 83 yards
- SF – Gene Washington - 8 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TDs
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Week 2: at Buffalo Bills[]
Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills;– Game summary
| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- BUF – John Leypoldt 32 yard field goal, Tied 3-3.
- BUF – John Leypoldt 22 yard field goal, Bills 6-3.
- SF – Ted Kwalick 20 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 10-6.
Third quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 20 yard field goal. 49ers 13-6.
- BUF – Jan White 17 yard pass from Dennis Shaw, (John Leypoldt kick), Tied 13-13.
Fourth quarter
- SF – Larry Schreiber 2 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 20-13.
- BUF – Jim Braxton 2 yard rush, (John Leypoldt kick), Tied 20-20.
- BUF – Jim Braxton 1 yard rush, (John Leypoldt kick), Bills 27-20.
Top passers
- SF – Steve Spurrier – 10/25, 171 yards, TD, 2 INTs
- BUF – Dennis Shaw – 8/20, 105 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- SF – Gene Washington - 3 receptions, 89 yards
- BUF – J.D. Hill - 2 receptions, 33 yards
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Week 3: at New Orleans Saints[]
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| 49ers
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0
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10
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10
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17
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37
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| Saints
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0
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0
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2
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0
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2
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at Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana
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| Game information
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First quarter
No Scoring
Second quarter
Third quarter
- NO – Joe Owens safety, blocked punt out of end zone. 49ers 10-2.
- SF - Bruce Gossett 20 yard field goal. 49ers 13-2.
- SF – Gene Washington 6 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 20-2.
Fourth quarter
- SF – Ted Kwalick 5 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 27-2.
- SF - Bruce Gossett 27 yard field goal. 49ers 30-2.
- SF – Mike Simpson 32 yard interception return, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 37-2.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 3 receptions, 65 yards, TD
- NO – Danny Abramowicz - 3 receptions, 45 yards
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Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams[]
Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams;– Game summary
| Game information
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First quarter
No Scoring
Second quarter
Third quarter
- LA – David Ray 15 yard field goal. Rams 17-7.
- LA – Jack Snow 57 yard pass from Roman Gabriel, (David Ray kick), Rams 24-7.
Fourth quarter
- LA – Larry Smith 1 yard rush, (David Ray kick), Rams 31-7
Top passers
Top rushers
- SF – Jimmy Thomas - 3 rushes, 46 yards
- LA – Bob Thomas – 19 rushes, 142 yards
Top receivers
- SF – Jimmy Thomas - 2 receptions, 40 yards
- LA – Jack Snow - 4 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TDs
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Week 5: vs. New York Giants[]
Week 5: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Giants
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0
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13
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0
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10
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23
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| 49ers
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3
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7
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0
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7
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17
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- NYG – Pete Gogolak 15 yard field goal, Tied 3-3
- NYG – Ron Johnson 8 yard rush, (Pete Gogolak kick), Giants 10-3.
- SF – Gene Washington 10 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), Tied 10-10.
- NYG – Pete Gogolak 11 yard field goal, Giants 13-10
Third quarter
No Scoring
Fourth quarter
- SF – Gene Washington 4 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-13.
- NYG – Pete Gogolak 15 yard field goal, 49ers 17-16
- NYG – Charlie Evans 4 yard rush, (Pete Gogolak kick), Giants 23-17.
Top passers
Top rushers
- NYG – Ron Johnson - 23 rushes, 83 yards, TD
- SF – Ken Willard – 14 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
- NYG – Ron Johnson - 3 receptions, 42 yards
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 6 receptions, 126 yards
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Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints[]
Week 6: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Saints
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7
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0
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3
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10
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20
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| 49ers
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7
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10
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0
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3
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20
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 41 yard field goal, 49ers 10-7.
- SF – John Isenbarger 21 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-7.
Third quarter
- NO – Toni Linhart 11 yard field goal, 49ers 17-10
Fourth quarter
- NO – Toni Linhart 20 yard field goal, 49ers 17-13
- NO – Dave Parks 30 yard pass from Archie Manning, (Toni Linhart kick), Saints 20-17.
- SF - Bruce Gossett 36 yard field goal, Tied 20-20.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 7: at Atlanta Falcons[]
Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons;– Game summary
| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF – Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 21-7.
- ATL – Jim Mitchell 40 yard pass from Bob Berry, (Bill Bell kick), 49ers 21-14.
Third quarter
- SF – Gene Washington 43 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 28-14.
- SF – Preston Riley 28 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 35-14.
Fourth quarter
- SF – Skip Vanderbundt 37 yard interception return, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 42-14.
- SF – Vic Washington 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 49-14.
Top passers
- SF – Steve Spurrier – 8/18, 159 yards, 3 TDs, INT
- ATL – Bob Berry – 11/24, 147 yards, TD, 2 INTs
Top rushers
Top receivers
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 4 receptions, 77 yards, TD
- ATL – Art Malone - 6 receptions, 70 yards
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Week 8: at Green Bay Packers[]
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers;– Game summary
| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- GB – John Brockington 30 yard rush, (Chester Marcol kick), Packers 14-7.
Third quarter
- GB – John Brockington 14 yard rush, (Chester Marcol kick), Packers 21-7.
- GB – Chester Marcol 35 yard field goal, Packers 24-7.
- SF – Bruce Gossett 50 yard field goal, Packers 24-10.
Fourth quarter
- SF – Gene Washington 62 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), Packers 24-17.
- GB – Chester Marcol 40 yard field goal, Packers 27-17.
- SF – Gene Washington 34 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), Packers 27-24.
- GB – Ken Ellis 35 yard interception return, (Chester Marcol kick), Packers 34-24.
Top passers
- SF – Steve Spurrier – 19/37, 315 yards, 2 TDs, INT
- GB – Scott Hunter – 6/16, 151 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts[]
Week 9: Baltimore Colts at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Colts
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7
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0
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0
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14
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21
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| 49ers
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7
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7
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3
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7
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24
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 44 yard field goal, 49ers 17-7.
Fourth quarter
- BAL – Don McCauley 4 yard ruch, (Boris Shlapak kick), 49ers 17-14.
- SF – Ted Kwalick 25 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-14.
- BAL – Sam Havrilak 62 yard pass from Marty Domres, (Boris Shlapak kick), 49ers 24-21.
Top passers
- BAL – Marty Domres – 14/27, 255 yards, TD
- SF – Steve Spurrier – 10/14, 110 yards, 2 TDs, INT
Top rushers
- BAL – Don McCauley - 5 rushes, 52 yards, TD
- SF – Larry Schreiber – 17 rushes, 104 yards, TD
Top receivers
- BAL – Sam Havrilak - 6 receptions, 136 yards, TD
- SF – Vic Washington - 4 receptions, 45 yards
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Week 10: at Chicago Bears[]
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| 49ers
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7
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7
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13
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7
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34
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| Bears
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0
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0
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14
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7
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21
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at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF – Ted Kwalick 16 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 14-0.
Third quarter
- SF – Gene Washington 43 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 21-0.
- CHI – Bobby Douglass 2 yard rush, (Mac Percival kick), 49ers 21-7.
- SF – Vic Washington 9 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (kick failed), 49ers 27-7.
- CHI – George Farmer 85 yard pass from Bobby Douglass, (Mac Percival kick), 49ers 27-14.
Fourth quarter
- CHI – Jim Seymour 35 yard pass from Bobby Douglass, (Mac Percival kick), 49ers 27-21.
- SF – Larry Schreiber 64 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 34-21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
- SF – Gene Washington - 4 receptions, 114 yards, TD
- CHI – George Farmer - 1 reception, 85 yards, TD
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Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys[]
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| 49ers
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0
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14
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7
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10
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31
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| Cowboys
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7
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3
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0
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0
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10
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at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
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| Game information
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First quarter
- DAL – Walt Garrison 7 yard rush, (Toni Frisch kick), Cowboys 7-0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- SF – Bruce Gossett 18 yard field goal, 49ers 24-10.
- SF – Skip Vanderbundt 21 yard interception return, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-10.
Top passers
Top rushers
- SF – Vic Washington - 16 rushes, 77 yards
- DAL – Walt Garrison – 12 rushes, 57 yards, TD
Top receivers
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 4 receptions, 68 yards, TD
- DAL – Ron Sellers - 4 receptions, 84 yards
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Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams[]
Week 12: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Rams
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3
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13
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7
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3
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26
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| 49ers
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6
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3
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7
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0
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16
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 31 yard field goal, 49ers 9-3.
- LA – Bob Klein 26 yard pass from Roman Gabriel, (David Ray kick), Rams 10-9.
- LA – David Ray 12 yard field goal, Rams 13-9.
- LA – David Ray 19 yard field goal, Rams 16-9.
Third quarter
- LA – Willie Ellison 39 yard pass from Roman Gabriel, (David Ray kick), Rams 23-9.
- SF – Gene Washington 8 yard pass from Steve Spurrier, (Bruce Gossett kick), Rams 23-16.
Fourth quarter
- LA – David Ray 42 yard field goal, Rams 26-16.
Top passers
Top rushers
- LA – Willie Ellison - 18 rushes, 78 yards
- SF – Larry Schreiber – 7 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers
- LA – Willie Ellison - 5 receptions, 68 yards, TD
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 6 receptions, 65 yards, TD
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Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]
Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Falcons
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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| 49ers
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3
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3
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0
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14
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20
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
- Date: December 10
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C), wind chill 26 °F (-4 °C)
- TV: CBS
- Pro Football Reference
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| Game information
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| First quarter
Second quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 19 yard field goal, 49ers 6-0.
Third quarter
No Scoring
Fourth quarter
- SF – Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 13-0.
- SF – Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 20-0.
Top passers
- ATL – Bob Berry – 12/25, 145 yards, INT
- SF – Steve Spurrier – 9/18, 79 yards
Top rushers
- ATL – Art Malone - 10 rushes, 91 yards
- SF – Larry Schreiber – 13 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers
- ATL – Wes Chesson - 1 receptions, 46 yards
- SF – Ted Kwalick - 2 receptions, 40 yards
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Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings[]
Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Vikings
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7
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0
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10
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0
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17
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| 49ers
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0
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6
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0
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14
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20
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at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
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| Game information
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First quarter
- MIN - Ed Marinaro 18 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton, (Fred Cox kick), Vikings 7-0.
Second quarter
- SF - Bruce Gossett 14 yard field goal, Vikings 7-3.
- SF - Bruce Gossett 37 yard field goal, Vikings 7-6.
Third quarter
- MIN - Fred Cox 43 yard field goal, Vikings 10-6.
- MIN - John Gilliam 31 yard pass from Fran Tarkenton, (Fred Cox kick), Vikings 17-6.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
- MIN – Ed Marinaro - 16 rushes, 70 yards
- SF – Larry Schreiber – 12 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
- MIN – John Gilliam - 4 receptions, 62 yards, TD
- SF – Gene Washington - 4 receptions, 119 yards, TD
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Standings[]
Playoffs[]
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Total
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| Cowboys
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3
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10
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0
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17
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30
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| 49ers
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7
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14
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7
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0
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28
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Awards and records[]
Milestones[]
References[]
External links[]
