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.
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
Year | Result | Opponent | Score |
1949 | Lost the NFL Championship | Cleveland Browns | 7-21 |
1957 | Lost Divisional Round | Detroit Lions | 27-31 |
1970 | Lost Conference Championship | Dallas Cowboys | 10-17 |
1971 | Lost Conference Championship | Dallas Cowboys | 3-14 |
1972 | Lost Divisional Round | Dallas Cowboys | 28-30 |
1981 | Won Super Bowl | Cincinnati Bengals | 26-21 |
1983 | Lost Conference Championship | Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) | 21-24 |
1984 | Won Super Bowl | Miami Dolphins | 38-16 |
1985 | Lost Wild Card Round | New York Giants | 3-17 |
1986 | Lost Divisional Round | New York Giants | 3-49 |
1987 | Lost Divisional Round | Minnesota Vikings | 24-36 |
1988 | Won Super Bowl | Cincinnati Bengals | 20-16 |
1989 | Won Super Bowl | Denver Broncos | 55-10 |
1990 | Lost Conference Championship | New York Giants | 13-15 |
1992 | Lost Conference Championship | Dallas Cowboys | 20-30 |
1993 | Lost Conference Championship | Dallas Cowboys | 21-38 |
1994 | Won Super Bowl | San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) | 49-26 |
1995 | Lost Divisional Round | Green Bay Packers | 17-27 |
1996 | Lost Divisional Round | Green Bay Packers | 14-35 |
1997 | Lost Conference Championship | Green Bay Packers | 10-23 |
1998 | Lost Divisional Round | Atlanta Falcons | 18-20 |
2001 | Lost Wild Card Round | Green Bay Packers | 15-25 |
2002 | Lost Divisional Round | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-31 |
2011 | Lost Conference Championship | New York Giants | 17-20 |
2012 | Lost Super Bowl | Baltimore Ravens | 31-34 |
2013 | Lost Conference Championship | Seattle Seahawks | 17-23 |
2019 | Lost Super Bowl | Kansas City Chiefs | 20-31 |
2021 | Lost Conference Championship | Los Angeles Rams | 17-20 |
2022 | Lost Conference Championship | Philadelphia Eagles | 7-31 |
2023 | Lost Super Bowl | Kansas City Chiefs | 22-25 |
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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?
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.
Week | Date | Opponent | Points Scored | Points Allowed | Stadium |
1998 Playoffs- Wild Card Round | Jan 3, 1999 | Green Bay Packers | 30 | 27 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1998 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 9, 1999 | Atlanta Falcons | 18 | 20 | Georgia Dome, Atlanta |
1997 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 3, 1998 | Minnesota Vikings | 38 | 22 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1997 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 11, 1998 | Green Bay Packers | 10 | 23 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1996 Playoffs- Wild Card Round | Dec 29, 1996 | Philadelphia Eagles | 14 | 0 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1996 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 4, 1997 | Green Bay Packers | 14 | 35 | Lambeau Field, Wisconsin |
1995 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 6, 1996 | Green Bay Packers | 17 | 27 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1994 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 7, 1995 | Chicago Bears | 44 | 15 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1994 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 15, 1995 | Dallas Cowboys | 38 | 28 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1994 Playoffs- NFL Super Bowl | Jan 29, 1995 | San Diego Chargers | 49 | 26 | Joe Robie Stadium, Florida |
1993 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 15, 1994 | New York Giants | 44 | 3 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1993 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 23, 1994 | Dallas Cowboys | 21 | 38 | Texas Stadium, Texas |
1992 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 9, 1993 | Washington Redskins | 20 | 13 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1992 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 17, 1993 | Dallas Cowboys | 20 | 30 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1990 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 12, 1991 | Washington Redskins | 28 | 10 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1990 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 20, 1991 | New York Giants | 13 | 15 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1989 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 6, 1990 | Minnesota Vikings | 41 | 13 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1989 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 14, 1990 | Los Angeles Rams | 30 | 3 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1989 Playoffs- NFL Super Bowl | Jan 28, 1990 | Denver Broncos | 55 | 10 | Louisiana Superdome, Louisiana |
1988 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 1, 1989 | Minnesota Vikings | 34 | 9 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
1988 Playoffs- Conference Championship | Jan 8, 1989 | Chicago Bears | 28 | 3 | Soldier Field, Illinois |
1988 Playoffs- NFL Super Bowl | Jan 22, 1989 | Cincinnati Bengals | 20 | 16 | Joe Robbie Stadium, Florida |
1987 Playoffs- Divisional Round | Jan 9, 1988 | Minnesota Vikings | 24 | 36 | Candlestick Park, San Francisco |
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San Francisco 49ers Championships and Rings Won
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.