San Francisco 49ers Playoff History

Last Modified May 20, 2024 08:08 GMT

The San Francisco 49ers enjoy a rich playoff history with 30 playoff appearances to date. Established in 1946, the 49ers joined the NFL when the All-American Football Conference joined the NFL in 1949. With five Super Bowl wins from seven attempts, the 49ers are one of the most successful teams in the NFL and have been a top contender for many years. They have always had a well-coached team and several star players to boast of.

San Francisco 49ers Playoff History
San Francisco 49ers

In the 2023-24 NFL season, the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LVIII but failed to claim victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in a closely contested 22-25 overtime loss. The most successful postseason spell for the San Francisco 49ers was during the 1980s and 1990s. They made it to the playoffs 16 times in the two decades and won all of their 5 Super Bowls during that period. Here’s taking a look back at the playoff history of the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers Playoff Appearances by Year

YearResultOpponentScore
1949Lost the NFL ChampionshipCleveland Browns7-21
1957Lost Divisional RoundDetroit Lions27-31
1970Lost Conference ChampionshipDallas Cowboys10-17
1971Lost Conference ChampionshipDallas Cowboys3-14
1972Lost Divisional RoundDallas Cowboys28-30
1981Won Super BowlCincinnati Bengals26-21
1983Lost Conference ChampionshipWashington Redskins (now Washington Commanders)21-24
1984Won Super BowlMiami Dolphins38-16
1985Lost Wild Card RoundNew York Giants3-17
1986Lost Divisional RoundNew York Giants3-49
1987Lost Divisional RoundMinnesota Vikings24-36
1988Won Super BowlCincinnati Bengals20-16
1989Won Super BowlDenver Broncos55-10
1990Lost Conference ChampionshipNew York Giants13-15
1992Lost Conference ChampionshipDallas Cowboys20-30
1993Lost Conference ChampionshipDallas Cowboys21-38
1994Won Super BowlSan Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers)49-26
1995Lost Divisional RoundGreen Bay Packers17-27
1996Lost Divisional RoundGreen Bay Packers14-35
1997Lost Conference ChampionshipGreen Bay Packers10-23
1998Lost Divisional RoundAtlanta Falcons18-20
2001Lost Wild Card RoundGreen Bay Packers15-25
2002Lost Divisional RoundTampa Bay Buccaneers6-31
2011Lost Conference ChampionshipNew York Giants17-20
2012Lost Super BowlBaltimore Ravens31-34
2013Lost Conference ChampionshipSeattle Seahawks17-23
2019Lost Super BowlKansas City Chiefs20-31
2021Lost Conference ChampionshipLos Angeles Rams17-20
2022Lost Conference ChampionshipPhiladelphia Eagles7-31
2023Lost Super BowlKansas City Chiefs22-25

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Playoff Games Won by the San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have a playoff record of 39 wins and 25 losses

  • Wins in Wild Card Round- 6 (in 8 games)
  • Wins in Divisional Round- 20 (in 28 games)
  • Wins in Conference Championship- 8 (in 19 games)
  • Super Bowl Wins- 5 (in 8 games)

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How many playoff games has Joe Montana played?

San Francisco 49ers Playoff History
Joe Montana with the 49ers

One of the most charismatic quarterbacks to have ever played the game was Joe Montana. He spent 14 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and won 4 Super Bowls during that period (1979-1992). One of his most celebrated playoff games with the 49ers was the 1981 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, where he made a game-winning touchdown pass. Montana appeared in 21 playoff games with the San Francisco 49ers.

How many times have the San Francisco 49ers made the playoffs with Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young?

Joe Montana (quarterback), Jerry Rice (wide receiver) and Steve Young (quarterback) are the most influential San Francisco 49ers players of all time. The three players were crucial to the great postseason run of the 49ers during the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. They have won 2 Super Bowls, 9 Division titles (NFC West), and 3 Conference Championships between 1987 and 1999, for the San Francisco 49ers. Steve Young retired in 1999. Jerry Rice leads the record for the most number of touchdowns by a wide receiver (197) and is regarded as one of the best to have ever played the game.

Here is a look at the NFL postseason games where these players have featured for the San Francisco 49ers.

WeekDate OpponentPoints Scored Points AllowedStadium
1998 Playoffs- Wild Card Round Jan 3, 1999Green Bay Packers3027Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1998 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 9, 1999Atlanta Falcons1820Georgia Dome, Atlanta
1997 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 3, 1998Minnesota Vikings3822Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1997 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 11, 1998Green Bay Packers1023Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1996 Playoffs- Wild Card RoundDec 29, 1996Philadelphia Eagles140Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1996 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 4, 1997Green Bay Packers1435Lambeau Field, Wisconsin
1995 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 6, 1996Green Bay Packers1727Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1994 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 7, 1995Chicago Bears4415Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1994 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 15, 1995Dallas Cowboys3828Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1994 Playoffs- NFL Super BowlJan 29, 1995San Diego Chargers4926Joe Robie Stadium, Florida
1993 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 15, 1994New York Giants443Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1993 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 23, 1994Dallas Cowboys2138Texas Stadium, Texas
1992 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 9, 1993Washington Redskins2013Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1992 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 17, 1993Dallas Cowboys2030Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1990 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 12, 1991Washington Redskins2810Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1990 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 20, 1991New York Giants1315Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1989 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 6, 1990Minnesota Vikings4113Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1989 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 14, 1990Los Angeles Rams303Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1989 Playoffs- NFL Super BowlJan 28, 1990Denver Broncos5510Louisiana Superdome, Louisiana
1988 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 1, 1989Minnesota Vikings349Candlestick Park, San Francisco
1988 Playoffs- Conference ChampionshipJan 8, 1989Chicago Bears283Soldier Field, Illinois
1988 Playoffs- NFL Super BowlJan 22, 1989Cincinnati Bengals2016Joe Robbie Stadium, Florida
1987 Playoffs- Divisional RoundJan 9, 1988Minnesota Vikings2436Candlestick Park, San Francisco

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San Francisco 49ers Championships and Rings Won

San Francisco 49ers Playoff History
Joe Montana with his rings with the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have won 5 Championship Rings while making it to the Super Bowl on 8 occasions. Having won all five of their first Super Bowls, they have ended up losing the final 3 in which they have played.

1981 (Super Bowl XVI)

1984 (Super Bowl XIX)

1988 (Super Bowl XXIII)

1989 (Super Bowl XXIV)

1994 (Super Bowl XXIX)

San Francisco 49ers Playoff Stats

Total Playoff Games Played: 64

Overall Playoff Record (Wins-Losses): 39-25

Total Super Bowls Won: 5 (8 Appearances)

All-time Passing Leader: Joe Montana 2,929/4,600, 35,124 yds, 244 TD

All-time Rushing Leader: Frank Gore 2,442 att, 11,073 yds, 64 TD

All-time Receiving Leader: Jerry Rice 1,281 rec, 19,247 yds, 176 TD

All-time Scoring Leader: Jerry Rice 1,130 points

All-time AV Leader: Jerry Rice 216 AV

Coach with most Wins: George Seifert 98-30-0

San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Stats

Total Super Bowl Appearances: 8

Super Bowls Won: 5

Super Bowl Winning Seasons: 1981,1984,1988, 1989, 1994

Most Scoring Super Bowl Win: 55-10 win against the Denver Broncos in the 1990 Super Bowl

Lowest Scoring Super Bowl Loss: 20-31 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 Super Bowl

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FAQs

A. The San Francisco 49ers have been to eight Super Bowls winning five of them.

A. Jerry Rice, widely considered amongst the best wide receivers the game has seen has the most receiving yards for the 49ers with 19,247.

A. Till the end of the 2023-24 NFL season, the 49ers have won 39 playoff games.

A. Denise DeBartolo York is the current owner of the 49ers. 

A. Joe Montana, the most successful quarterback in the 49ers' history till now has the most passing yards with 35,124 yards.

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