1984 San Francisco 49ers season

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1984 San Francisco 49ers season
San Francisco 49ers Saloon Wordmark.svg
Owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
General manager John McVay and
Carmen Policy
Head coach Bill Walsh
Defensive coordinator George Seifert
Home field Candlestick Park
Results
Record15–1
Division place1st NFC West
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Giants) 21–10
Won NFC Championship
(vs. Bears) 23–0
Won Super Bowl XIX
(vs. Dolphins) 38–16
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
The 49ers playing against the Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 28 - Roger Craig (cropped).jpg
The 49ers playing against the Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers season was their 35th season in the National Football League (NFL) and 39th overall. The season was highlighted by their second Super Bowl victory. The franchise had its best season ever, with a record of 15 wins and only 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Joe Montana was awarded the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player Award for the second time in his career, joining Bart Starr and Terry Bradshaw as the only two-time Super Bowl MVPs.

Contents

The 1984 49ers became the first team to win fifteen games in the NFL's regular season since the league went to a sixteen-game schedule in 1978. The 49ers, if not for their loss to the Steelers, would have become the 2nd team after the 1972 Miami Dolphins to complete a perfect season, and the Forty-Niners would have been the first to do so since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule. The 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2011 Green Bay Packers, and the 2015 Carolina Panthers would later join the 1984 49ers to finish 15–1, although the 2007 New England Patriots would exceed this feat by finishing the regular season at an unbeaten 16–0, losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14. However, the only other one of these teams that won the Super Bowl was the 1985 Bears.

In the playoffs, the 49ers were the #1 seed. They defeated the Giants 21–10 in the divisional round. Then they shut out the Chicago Bears 23–0 in the NFC Championship and finally defeated the Miami Dolphins 38–16 in Super Bowl XIX. This 49ers team has gone down as the best in franchise history, and many call this season the best in Joe Montana's career.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled A Team Above All; Brad Crandall narrated it. On January 29, 2007, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions , in which they ranked the 1984 49ers at #8; the film was narrated by Gene Hackman and featured commentary from players Russ Francis, Keena Turner and Dwight Hicks. More than a decade later, the team gained greater esteem by ranking #4 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary. [3] [4]

Offseason

NFL Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionCollege
124 Todd Shell LB Brigham Young
2Choice to L.A. Raiders
256(Choice from L.A. Raiders) John Frank TE Ohio State
373(Choice from St. Louis) Guy McIntyre G Georgia
3Choice to St. Louis
4Choice from Tampa Bay to Seattle
4Choice to San Diego
5121(Choice from Atlanta) Michael Carter NT Southern Methodist
5Choice from Denver to Atlanta
5Choice to St. Louis
5139(Choice from Washington through L.A. Raiders) Jeff Fuller DB Texas A&M
6Choice to Atlanta
7Choice to New England
8Choice to San Diego
9239(Choice from Chicago)Lee MillerDB Cal State Fullerton
9248 Derrick Harmon RB Cornell
10275Dave MoritzWR Iowa
11304Kirk PendletonWR Brigham Young
12Choice from Chicago to Miami
12Choice to San Diego

[5]

NFL Supplemental Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionPro TeamCollege
124 Derrick Crawford WR Memphis Showboats (USFL) Memphis State
251 Joe Conwell OT Philadelphia Stars (USFL) North Carolina
380Mark SchellenRB New Orleans Breakers (USFL) Nebraska

[6]

Training Camp

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.

Personnel

Staff

1984 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Fred von Appen

Strength and conditioning

  • Physical development coordinator – Jerry Attaway

Roster

1984 San Francisco 49ers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

[7]

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1August 4 Los Angeles Raiders W 13–101–0 Candlestick Park 54,990 Recap
2August 11at Denver Broncos L 13–201–1 Mile High Stadium 70,211 Recap
3August 18at San Diego Chargers L 15–351–2 Jack Murphy Stadium 58,356 Recap
4August 24 Seattle Seahawks W 23–212–2Candlestick Park49,219 Recap

Regular season

The 49ers advanced to their second Super Bowl in team history after becoming the first team ever to win 15 regular season games since the league expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Much of the hype surrounding the team was their offense, which boasted 5 Pro Bowlers. Quarterback Joe Montana recorded 279 out of 432 completions for 3,630 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. Running back Roger Craig was one of the 49ers' major weapons, both rushing and receiving. Craig was the team's second leading rusher with 649 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, and also caught 71 passes for 675 yards. Pro Bowl running back Wendell Tyler, who had rushed for a team record 1,262 yards during the regular season, recorded 7 rushing touchdowns, and also caught 28 passes for 230 yards and 2 touchdown receptions. Wide receivers Freddie Solomon and Dwight Clark also were deep threats, gaining a combined total of 1,617 yards and 16 touchdowns. Up front, 3 of the 49ers' 5 starting offensive linemen, Randy Cross, Fred Quillan, and Keith Fahnhorst, had been selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Overall, San Francisco's offense finished the season ranked second in the NFL in scoring (475 points) and fourth in total yards (6,544).

Although they did not get as much media attention as the offense, the 49ers defense led the league in fewest points allowed during the regular season (227). All 4 of the 49ers' starting defensive backs, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson, and Dwight Hicks, were selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Pro Bowl linebacker Keena Turner was also a major defensive weapon, recording 2 sacks and 4 interceptions for 51 yards. Defensive end Dwaine Board anchored the line, recording 10 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1September 2at Detroit Lions W 30–271–0 Pontiac Silverdome 56,782 Recap
2September 10 Washington Redskins W 37–312–0 Candlestick Park 59,707 Recap
3September 16 New Orleans Saints W 30–203–0 Candlestick Park 57,611 Recap
4September 23at Philadelphia Eagles W 21–94–0 Veterans Stadium 62,771 Recap
5September 30 Atlanta Falcons W 14–55–0 Candlestick Park 57,990 Recap
6October 8at New York Giants W 31–106–0 Giants Stadium 76,112 Recap
7October 14 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–206–1 Candlestick Park 59,110 Recap
8October 21at Houston Oilers W 34–217–1 Astrodome 39,900 Recap
9October 28at Los Angeles Rams W 33–08–1 Anaheim Stadium 65,481 Recap
10November 4 Cincinnati Bengals W 23–179–1 Candlestick Park 58,324 Recap
11November 11at Cleveland Browns W 41–710–1 Cleveland Stadium 60,092 Recap
12November 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 24–1711–1 Candlestick Park 57,704 Recap
13November 25at New Orleans Saints W 35–312–1 Louisiana Superdome 65,177 Recap
14December 2at Atlanta Falcons W 35–1713–1 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 29,644 Recap
15December 8 Minnesota Vikings W 51–714–1 Candlestick Park 56,670 Recap
16December 14 Los Angeles Rams W 19–1615–1 Candlestick Park 59,743 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 2, 1984): at Detroit Lions

[8]

Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions
Period1234Total
49ers (1–0)7731330
Lions (0–1)767727

at Pontiac SilverdomePontiac, Michigan

  • Date: September 2, 1984
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 56,782
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [9] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 16/25, 188 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Wendell Tyler 16 CAR, 87 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Freddie Solomon 4 REC, 61 YDS
DETPassing Gary Danielson 17/24, 177 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Billy Sims 17 CAR, 69 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Leonard Thompson 3 REC, 58 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 2½
  • Over/Under: 43.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsLions
24First downs19
32–124Rushes–yards28–132
188Passing yards177
16–25–0Passes17–24–0
2–14Sacked–yards2–11
174Net passing yards166
298Total yards298
198Return yards98
2–45.5Punts4–44.0
2–1Fumbles–lost0–0
2–32Penalties–yards6–45
30:44Time of Possession29:16

Week 2 (Monday, September 10, 1984): vs. Washington Redskins

[11]

Week 2: Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Redskins (0–2)03141431
49ers (2–0)141301037

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
WSHPassing Joe Theismann 24/43, 331 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Joe Theismann 7 CAR, 35 YDS
Receiving Art Monk 10 REC, 200 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 24/40, 381 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 20 CAR, 96 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Dwight Clark 5 REC, 105 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 2
  • Over/Under: 52.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
RedskinsGame Statistics49ers
20First downs30
21–62Rushes–yards40–167
331Passing yards381
24–43–0Passes24–40–0
4–22Sacked–yards2–14
309Net passing yards367
371Total yards534
132Return yards74
7–36.6Punts3–34.7
3–0Fumbles–lost3–2
6–60Penalties–yards6–50
25:15Time of Possession34:45

Week 3 (Sunday, September 16, 1984): vs. New Orleans Saints

[13]

Week 3: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Saints (1–2)01010020
49ers (3–0)71001330

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: September 16, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C); wind 16 miles per hour (26 km/h; 14 kn)
  • Game attendance: 57,611
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [14] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NOPassing Ken Stabler 14/27, 157 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing George Rogers 23 CAR, 88 YDS
Receiving Eugene Goodlow 6 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD
SFPassing Joe Montana 10/17, 128 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 10 CAR, 82 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Solomon 3 REC, 72 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 5½
  • Over/Under: 45.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
SaintsGame Statistics49ers
20First downs19
31–119Rushes–yards32–148
162Passing yards179
16–34–5Passes13–26–1
2–13Sacked–yards3–20
149Net passing yards159
268Total yards307
166Return yards160
3–46.0Punts5–40.8
0–0Fumbles–lost0–0
4–47Penalties–yards6–54
31:38Time of Possession28:22

Week 4 (Sunday, September 23, 1984): at Philadelphia Eagles

[15]

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Period1234Total
49ers (4–0)770721
Eagles (1–3)06309

at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: September 23, 1984
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C); wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
  • Game attendance: 62,771
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [16] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Matt Cavanaugh 17/34, 252 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 21 CAR, 113 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 3 REC, 84 YDS, 1 TD
PHIPassing Ron Jaworski 16/40, 187 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Wilbert Montgomery 12 CAR, 51 YDS
Receiving Wilbert Montgomery 7 REC, 46 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 4½
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsEagles
23First downs15
37–177Rushes–yards20–72
252Passing yards187
17–34–0Passes16–41–1
4–31Sacked–yards2–18
221Net passing yards169
398Total yards241
173Return yards51
7–39.1Punts7–40.0
2–0Fumbles–lost0–0
12–141Penalties–yards4–30
34:31Time of Possession25:29

Week 5 (Sunday, September 30, 1984): vs. Atlanta Falcons

[17]

Week 5: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Falcons (2–3)30025
49ers (5–0)0140014

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: September 30, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C); wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn)
  • Game attendance: 57,990
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [18] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ATLPassing Steve Bartkowski 22/41, 267 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Gerald Riggs 28 CAR, 136 YDS
Receiving Stacey Bailey 4 REC, 97 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 13/25, 149 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 12 CAR, 99 YDS
Receiving Mike Wilson 3 REC, 47 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 6
  • Over/Under: 49.5 (under)
  • Time of Game:
FalconsGame Statistics49ers
22First downs17
35–161Rushes–yards32–161
267Passing yards149
22–41–2Passes13–25–0
2–10Sacked–yards0–0
257Net passing yards149
418Total yards310
48Return yards62
4–38.8Punts5–43.8
3–1Fumbles–lost3–2
5–45Penalties–yards5–56
34:57Time of Possession25:03

Week 6 (Monday, October 8, 1984): at New York Giants

[19]

Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants
Period1234Total
49ers (6–0)2173031
Giants (3–3)300710

at Giants StadiumEast Rutherford, New Jersey

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 15/24, 207 Yds, 3 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 14 CAR, 101 YDS
Receiving Roger Craig 7 REC, 95 YDS, 1 TD
NYGPassing Phil Simms 24/43, 290 Yds, 2 INTs
Rushing Rob Carpenter 11 CAR, 45 YDS
Receiving Lionel Manuel 5 REC, 78 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 3
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsGiants
18First downs23
32–167Rushes–yards23–113
218Passing yards303
16–27–0Passes25–44–2
1–1Sacked–yards4–27
217Net passing yards276
384Total yards389
123Return yards142
5–39.0Punts5–42.4
1–0Fumbles–lost0–0
7–40Penalties–yards3–20
28:08Time of Possession31:52

Week 7 (Sunday, October 14, 1984): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[21]

Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Steelers (4–3)7301020
49ers (6–1)0701017

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: October 14, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C); wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 59,110
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC Game only aired in the San Francisco markets due to NBC airing Game 5 of the World Series): Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • [22] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
PITPassing Mark Malone 11/18, 156 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Rich Erenberg 11 CAR, 44 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving John Stallworth 6 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD
SFPassing Joe Montana 24/34, 241 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 11 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Roger Craig 7 REC, 43 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 8
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
SteelersGame Statistics49ers
23First downs22
47–175Rushes–yards20–117
156Passing yards241
11–18–1Passes24–35–1
1–7Sacked–yards0–0
149Net passing yards241
324Total yards358
106Return yards131
2–41.0Punts3–30.7
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
11–68Penalties–yards8–57
34:45Time of Possession25:15

The 49ers' hope for a perfect season was foiled by the Steelers when Gary Anderson kicked the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter that would ultimately prevent the 49ers from going undefeated. [23] [24]

Week 8 (Sunday, October 21, 1984): at Houston Oilers

[25]

Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Houston Oilers
Period1234Total
49ers (7–1)10731434
Oilers (0–8)077721

at Houston AstrodomeHouston, Texas

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 25/35, 353 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 23 CAR, 108 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 5 REC, 127 YDS, 1 TD
HOUPassing Warren Moon 25/33, 356 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Larry Moriarty 9 CAR, 36 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Tim Smith 6 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 11
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsOilers
25First downs22
38–164Rushes–yards18–82
353Passing yards356
25–35–1Passes25–33–2
1–0Sacked–yards2–6
353Net passing yards350
517Total yards432
85Return yards105
3–49.3Punts3–46.3
2–0Fumbles–lost3–1
8–70Penalties–yards7–75
34:13Time of Possession25:47

Week 9 (Sunday, October 28, 1984): at Los Angeles Rams

[27]

Week 9: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Period1234Total
49ers (8–1)3167733
Rams (5–4)00000

at Anaheim StadiumAnaheim, California

  • Date: October 28, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C); wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
  • Game attendance: 65,481
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [28] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 21/31, 365 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 13 CAR, 27 YDS
Receiving Freddie Solomon 6 REC, 94 YDS, 1 TD
LARamsPassing Jeff Kemp 14/30, 180 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Eric Dickerson 13 CAR, 38 YDS
Receiving Henry Ellard 4 REC, 91 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 3
  • Over/Under: 45.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsRams
23First downs12
39–111Rushes–yards19–72
376Passing yards180
22–32–0Passes14–30–2
2–15Sacked–yards5–46
361Net passing yards134
472Total yards206
35Return yards123
3–38.0Punts6–39.8
2–2Fumbles–lost5–3
6–41Penalties–yards3–25
35:26Time of Possession24:34

Week 10 (Sunday, November 4, 1984): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

[29]

Week 10: Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Bengals (3–7)3140017
49ers (9–1)0731323

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: November 4, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C); wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn)
  • Game attendance: 58,234
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Len Berman (play-by-play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
  • [30] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CINPassing Ken Anderson 21/34, 269 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Charles Alexander 8 CAR, 48 YDS
Receiving Cris Collinsworth 4 REC, 71 YDS, 1 TD
SFPassing Joe Montana 27/42, 301 YDS, 2 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 14 CAR, 52 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 7 REC, 124 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 10½
  • Over/Under: 43.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
BengalsGame Statistics49ers
21First downs26
25–116Rushes–yards31–91
269Passing yards301
21–34–2Passes27–42–4
6–39Sacked–yards1–7
230Net passing yards294
346Total yards385
144Return yards190
6–38.2Punts2–47.0
0–0Fumbles–lost0–0
6–46Penalties–yards5–30
29:24Time of Possession30:36

Week 11 (Sunday, November 11, 1984): at Cleveland Browns

[31]

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
Period1234Total
49ers (10–1)67141441
Browns (2–9)00077

at Cleveland Municipal StadiumCleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 11, 1984
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C); wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 60,092
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [32] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 24/30, 263 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 17 CAR, 87 YDS
Receiving Freddie Solomon 5 REC, 105 YDS, 2 TDs
CLEPassing Paul McDonald 13/33, 220 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Boyce Green 13 CAR, 38 YDS
Receiving Bruce Davis 4 REC, 64 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 6
  • Over/Under: 35.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsBrowns
23First downs10
39–213Rushes–yards20–43
263Passing yards220
24–30–1Passes13–33–1
1–8Sacked–yards2–12
255Net passing yards208
468Total yards251
90Return yards125
2–38.5Punts6–37.0
1–1Fumbles–lost5–3
7–45Penalties–yards5–32
35:27Time of Possession24:33

Week 12 (Sunday, November 18, 1984): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[33]

Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Buccaneers (4–8)0100717
49ers (11–1)0147324

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: November 18, 1984
  • Game time: 1:01 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C); wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn)
  • Game attendance: 57,704
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [34] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TBPassing Steve DeBerg 26/41, 316 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing James Wilder Sr. 18 CAR, 89 YDS
Receiving Gerald Carter 9 REC, 166 YDS, 1 TD
SFPassing Joe Montana 19/23, 247 YDS
Rushing Wendell Tyler 16 CAR, 97 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Dwight Clark 5 REC, 56 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 12
  • Over/Under: 40.0 (over)
  • Time of Game: 2 hours, 52 minutes
BuccaneersGame Statistics49ers
23First downs25
20–89Rushes–yards39–190
316Passing yards247
26–41–0Passes19–23–0
1–8Sacked–yards2–9
308Net passing yards238
397Total yards428
61Return yards99
3–41.0Punts2–48.0
2–1Fumbles–lost3–3
7–38Penalties–yards3–35
28:17Time of Possession31:43

Week 13 (Sunday, November 25, 1984): at New Orleans Saints

[35]

Week 13: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
Period1234Total
49ers (12–1)07141435
Saints (6–7)03003

at Louisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, Louisiana

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 14/30, 177 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 15 CAR, 117 YDS
Receiving Freddie Solomon 3 REC, 63 YDS, 1 TD
NOPassing Richard Todd 9/18, 72 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing George Rogers 21 CAR, 88 YDS
Receiving Tyrone Anthony 4 REC, 31 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers by 2
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsSaints
22First downs12
33–219Rushes–yards28–131
201Passing yards118
15–32–0Passes14–26–1
1–13Sacked–yards8–48
188Net passing yards70
407Total yards201
107Return yards113
6–44.3Punts8–45.5
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
4–60Penalties–yards3–20
27:48Time of Possession32:12

Week 14 (Sunday, December 2, 1984): at Atlanta Falcons

[37]

Week 14: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
Period1234Total
49ers (13–1)7147735
Falcons (3–11)377017

at Atlanta–Fulton County StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 2, 1984
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PST
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C); wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
  • Game attendance: 29,644
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Wayne Walker (color commentator)
  • [38] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing Joe Montana 12/24, 165 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 15 CAR, 69 YDS
Receiving Earl Cooper 4 REC, 51 YDS
ATLPassing Mike Moroski 22/43, 289 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Gerald Riggs 30 CAR, 133 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Alfred Jackson 11 REC, 193 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 13
  • Over/Under: 40.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ersGame StatisticsFalcons
15First downs23
31–143Rushes–yards36–153
165Passing yards289
12–24–2Passes22–43–3
2–18Sacked–yards3–28
147Net passing yards261
290Total yards414
224Return yards112
5–39.6Punts4–40.8
1–1Fumbles–lost3–3
9–73Penalties–yards8–50
24:33Time of Possession35:27

Week 15 (Saturday, December 8, 1984): vs. Minnesota Vikings

[39]

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Vikings (3–12)07007
49ers (14–1)141761451

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MINPassing Wade Wilson 18/32, 212 YDS, 1 INTs
Rushing Darrin Nelson 7 CAR, 38 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Joe Senser 6 REC, 36 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 15/21, 246 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Derrick Harmon 11 CAR, 56 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Renaldo Nehemiah 6 REC, 125 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 17
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
VikingsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs29
24–90Rushes–yards40–184
233Passing yards346
21–39–1Passes25–35–0
6–58Sacked–yards1–9
175Net passing yards337
265Total yards521
203Return yards102
7–44.3Punts2–48.5
0–0Fumbles–lost1–0
7–65Penalties–yards4–25
26:41Time of Possession33:19

Week 16 (Friday, December 14, 1984): vs. Los Angeles Rams

[41]

Week 16: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Rams (10–6)3100316
49ers (15–1)1430219

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LARamsPassing Jeff Kemp 11/22, 180 YDS
Rushing Eric Dickerson 26 CAR, 98 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Ron Brown 3 REC, 55 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 20/31, 219 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Roger Craig 8 CAR, 59 YDS
Receiving Earl Cooper 5 REC, 40 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 6
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
RamsGame Statistics49ers
19First downs15
37–185Rushes–yards20–89
180Passing yards219
11–22–0Passes20–31–0
1–10Sacked–yards4–19
170Net passing yards200
355Total yards289
95Return yards88
4–37.8Punts6–44.5
2–1Fumbles–lost2–0
6–57Penalties–yards8–75
32:52Time of Possession27:08

Game officials

Preseason

WeekOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField Judge
1 Los Angeles Raiders
2at Denver Broncos (71)(42)(8)(56)(21)(16)(91)
3at San Diego Chargers
4 Seattle Seahawks (70)(103)(35)(15)(22)(62)(93)

Regular season

WeekOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField Judge
1at Detroit Lions (71) Bob Frederic(67) John Keck(63) Ligouri Hagerty(30) Dan Wilford(38) Bill Swanson(120) Gary Lane (96) Don Hakes
2 Washington Redskins (60) Dick Jorgensen (50) Neil Gereb(108) Bob McLaughlin(41) Dick McKenzie(24) Roy Clymer(66) Dave Hawk(31) Dick Dolack
3 New Orleans Saints (6) Tom Dooley (42) Dave Hamilton(26) Ed Marion (94) Vern Marshall(36) Bob Moore(87) Dick Ferguson(18) Bob Lewis
4at Philadelphia Eagles (12) Ben Dreith (57) Ed Fiffick(8) Dale Williams(53) Bill Reynolds(28) Don Wedge (47) Tom Fincken(119) Ron Spitler
5 Atlanta Falcons (95) Bob McElwee (27) Al Conway (111) Earnie Frantz(56) Carver Shannon (99) Banks Williams(80) Bob Rice (76) Ed Merrifield
6at New York Giants (43) Red Cashion (78) Art Demmas (81) Dave Anderson(45) Ron DeSouza(52) Ben Tompkins (97) Nate Jones(84) Bob Wortman
7 Pittsburgh Steelers (40) Pat Haggerty (115) Hendi Ancich(85) Frank Glover(44) Walt Peters(92) Jim Poole (61) Dick Creed(75) Don Habel
8at Houston Oilers (14) Gene Barth (101) Bob Boylston(37) Burl Toler (54) Jack Johnson(98) Jimmy Vosser(34) Gerald Austin (86) Bernie Kukar
9at Los Angeles Rams (71) Bob Frederic(67) John Keck(63) Ligouri Hagerty(30) Dan Wilford(38) Bill Swanson(120) Gary Lane (96) Don Hakes
10 Cincinnati Bengals (60) Dick Jorgensen (50) Neil Gereb(108) Bob McLaughlin(41) Dick McKenzie(24) Roy Clymer(66) Dave Hawk(31) Dick Dolack
11at Cleveland Browns (7) Fred Silva (19) Tom Hensley (65) Norm Kragseth(59) Bob Beeks(21) Pete Liske (64) Dave Parry(77) Don Orr
12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6) Tom Dooley (42) Dave Hamilton(26) Ed Marion (94) Vern Marshall(36) Bob Moore(87) Dick Ferguson(18) Bob Lewis
13at New Orleans Saints (9) Jerry Markbreit (117) Ben Montgomery(104) Dale Hamer (33) Howard Roe(25) Tom Kelleher (102) Merrill Douglas (91) Bill Stanley
14at Atlanta Falcons (32) Jim Tunney (68) John Leimbach(109) Sid Semon(3) Boyce Smith(107) Jim Kearney(90) Gil Mace(23) Johnny Grier
15 Minnesota Vikings (48) Gordon McCarter (110) Ron Botchan (72) Terry Gierke (39) Jack Fette(29) J.W. Sanders(49) Dean Look (82) Pat Mallette
16 Los Angeles Rams (70) Jerry Seeman (103) Rex Stuart(35) Leo Miles(15) Bama Glass(22) Paul Baetz(62) Duwayne Gandy(93) Jack Vaughn

Standings

NFC West
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
San Francisco 49ers (1)1510.9386–012–0475227W9
Los Angeles Rams (4)1060.6253–37–5346316L1
New Orleans Saints 790.4381–54–8298361W1
Atlanta Falcons 4120.2502–43–9281382W1

Final statistics

Statistical comparison

San Francisco 49ersOpponents
First downs356302
First downs rushing138101
First downs passing204173
First downs penalty1428
Third down efficiency96/20775/213
Fourth down efficiency5/76/21
Net yards rushing24651795
Rushing attempts534432
Yards per rush4.64.2
Passing – Completions/attempts312/496298/546
Times sacked–total yards27–17851–363
Interceptions thrown1025
Net yards passing39013381
Total net yards63665176
Punt returns–total yards45–52130–190
Kickoff returns–total yards47–103978–1499
Interceptions–total return yards25–34510–155
Punts–average yardage62–40.980–40.5
Fumbles–lost26–1236–13
Penalties–total yards100–99491–723
Time of possession30:2629:34
Turnovers2238

Quarter-by-quarter

49ers Quarter-by-quarter
1234T
49ers11015767141475
Opponents29864864227

Individual leaders

49ers Passing
C/ATT1YdsTDINTRating
49ers Rushing
Car2YdsTDLG3Yds/Car
49ers Receiving
Rec4YdsTDLG3Yds/Rec
49ers Interception
Int5YdsTDLG3Y/Int
49ers Sacks
Sk6
49ers Punts
Pnt7YdsLG3BlckY/P
49ers Kickoff Returns
Rt8YdsTDLG3Y/Rt
49ers Punt Returns
Rt9YdsTDLG3Y/Rt
49ers Extra Points
XPXPAXP%
49ers Field Goals
1–1920–2930–3940–4950+FGFGAFG%

1Completions/attempts 2Carries 3Long gain 4Receptions 5Interceptions 6Sacks 7Punts 8Kickoff Returns 9Punt Returns

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
DivisionalDecember 29 New York Giants (5)W 21–101–0 Candlestick Park Recap
NFC ChampionshipJanuary 6, 1985 Chicago Bears (3)W 23–02–0 Candlestick Park Recap
Super Bowl XIX January 20, 1985 Miami Dolphins (A1)W 38–163–0 Stanford Stadium Recap

NFC Divisional Playoff (Saturday, December 29, 1984): vs. New York Giants

Quarterback Joe Montana threw for 309 yards and 3 touchdown passes as he led the 49ers to a victory, while receiver Dwight Clark caught 9 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.

[43]

NFC Divisional Playoff: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Giants (10–8)0100010
49ers (16–1)1470021

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: December 29, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C); wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
  • Game attendance: 60,303
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) and Irv Cross (sideline reporter)
  • [44] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYGPassing Phil Simms 25/44, 218 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Joe Morris 17 CAR, 46 YDS
Receiving Zeke Mowatt 5 REC, 49 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 25/39, 309 YDS, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Joe Montana 3 CAR, 63 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 9 REC, 112 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 12
  • Over/Under: 41.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
GiantsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs22
25–87Rushes–yards28–131
218Passing yards309
25–44–2Passes25–39–3
6–45Sacked–yards4–28
173Net passing yards281
260Total yards412
178Return yards97
6–37.7Punts5–42.0
2–1Fumbles–lost0–0
2–25Penalties–yards5–29
31:29Time of Possession28:31

NFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 6, 1985): vs. Chicago Bears

The 49ers passed for 236 yards while limiting the Bears to only 87 passing yards and no points.

[45]

NFC Championship Game: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Bears (11–7)00000
49ers (17–1)3371023

at Candlestick ParkSan Francisco, California

  • Date: January 6, 1985
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Drizzle, 52 °F (11 °C); wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
  • Game attendance: 61,040
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) and Irv Cross (sideline reporter)
  • [46] [10]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CHIPassing Steve Fuller 13/22, 87 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Walter Payton 22 CAR, 92 YDS
Receiving Matt Suhey 4 REC, 11 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 18/34, 233 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 10 CAR, 68 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Solomon 7 REC, 73 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers by 10
  • Over/Under: 40.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
BearsGame Statistics49ers
13First downs25
32–149Rushes–yards29–159
87Passing yards236
13–22–1Passes19–35–2
9–50Sacked–yards3–8
37Net passing yards228
186Total yards387
84Return yards84
7–43.1Punts3–39.0
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
7–50Penalties–yards3–20
31:53Time of Possession28:07

Super Bowl XIX (Sunday, January 20, 1985): vs. Miami Dolphins

[47]

Super Bowl XIX: Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers
Period1234Total
Dolphins (16–3)1060016
49ers (18–1)72110038

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MIAPassing Dan Marino 29/50, 318 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Tony Nathan 5 CAR, 18 YDS
Receiving Tony Nathan 10 REC, 83 YDS
SFPassing Joe Montana 24/35, 331 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 13 CAR, 65 YDS
Receiving Roger Craig 7 REC, 77 YDS, 2 TDs
  • Point spread: 49ers by 3
  • Over/Under: 53.5 (over)
  • Time of Game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
DolphinsGame Statistics49ers
19First downs31
9–25Rushes–yards40–211
318Passing yards331
29–50–2Passes24–35–0
4–29Sacked–yards1–5
289Net passing yards326
314Total yards537
155Return yards91
6–39.3Punts3–32.7
1–0Fumbles–lost2–2
1–10Penalties–yards2–10
22:49Time of Possession37:11

Game officials

RoundOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField JudgeAlternates
NFC Divisional Playoff New York Giants (14) Gene Barth (110) Ron Botchan (35) Leo Miles(54) Jack Johnson(21) Pete Liske (49) Dean Look (82) Pat Mallette
NFC Championship Game Chicago Bears (70) Jerry Seeman (89) Gordon Wells(17) Jerry Bergman(53) Bill Reynolds(106) Al Jury (64) Dave Parry(77) Don Orr (31) Dick Dolack
Super Bowl XIX Miami Dolphins (at Stanford, California)(40) Pat Haggerty (19) Tom Hensley (35) Leo Miles(74) Ray Dodez(25) Tom Kelleher (58) Bill Quinby(18) Bob Lewis(9) Jerry Markbreit
(101) Bob Bolyston

Awards and records

1985 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl

NumberPlayerPositionConference
51 Randy Cross RG, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
71 Keith Fahnhorst TNFC Pro Bowlers
22 Dwight Hicks FS, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
42 Ronnie Lott LCB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
16 Joe Montana QB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
55 Fred Quillan C, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
58 Keena Turner LBNFC Pro Bowlers
26 Wendell Tyler RBNFC Pro Bowlers
27 Carlton Williamson SNFC Pro Bowlers
21 Eric Wright CBNFC Pro Bowlers

[50]

Media

Pre season Local TV

ChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)
KPIX-TV 5

Local Radio

Flagship stationPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)
KCBSAM 740Don Klein Don Heinrich

Related Research Articles

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