2001 San Francisco 49ers season

Last updated

2001 San Francisco 49ers season
Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York
General manager Terry Donahue
Head coach Steve Mariucci
Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp
Defensive coordinator Jim L. Mora
Home field 3Com Park
Results
Record12–4
Division place2nd NFC West
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Packers) 15–25
Pro Bowlers C Jeremy Newberry
G Ray Brown
QB Jeff Garcia
WR Terrell Owens
RB Garrison Hearst
DT Bryant Young
All-Pros Terrell Owens (1st team)
Ray Brown (2nd team)
Bryant Young (2nd team)

The 2001 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 56th season and 52nd in the National Football League (NFL). The 49ers rebounded from two losing seasons in 1999 and 2000, achieving their first winning season under quarterback Jeff Garcia and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1998 behind a strong 12–4 record. However, the 49ers failed to progress further, falling 25–15 to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. This was the fourth time out of five games that they had lost to the Packers in the playoffs since the 1995 season. However, they have won all five meetings since then. This for first time since 1984 Jerry Rice was not on the opening day roster.

Contents

The 49ers' twelve regular-season wins were the most ever for a #5 seed under the 1990 playoff expansion format. Their three overtime wins tied the NFL record at the time, which has since been surpassed by the 2011 Arizona Cardinals and 2021 Las Vegas Raiders. [1]

Offseason

NFL draft

2001 San Francisco 49ers draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
17 Andre Carter  *  Defensive end California
247 Jamie Winborn   Linebacker Vanderbilt
380 Kevan Barlow   Running back Pittsburgh
6169 Cedrick Wilson   Wide receiver Tennessee
6179 Rashad Holman   Cornerback Louisville
6191Menson Holloway Defensive end UTEP
7209 Alex Lincoln  Linebacker Auburn
7224 Eric Johnson   Tight end Yale
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[2]

Staff

2001 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


Roster

2001 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenue
1August 11at San Diego Chargers L 24–250–1 Qualcomm Stadium
2August 19 Oakland Raiders W 20–171–1 3Com Park
3August 25 Seattle Seahawks L 18–281–23Com Park
4August 31at Denver Broncos L 7–351–3 Invesco Field at Mile High

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 9 Atlanta Falcons W 16–13 (OT)1–0 3Com Park 65,989
2 [A] September 23 St. Louis Rams L 26–301–13Com Park67,536
3October 1at New York Jets W 19–172–1 Giants Stadium 78,722
4October 7 Carolina Panthers W 24–143–13Com Park66,944
5October 14at Atlanta Falcons W 37–31 (OT)4–1 Georgia Dome 46,727
6 Bye
7October 28at Chicago Bears L 31–37 (OT)4–2 Soldier Field 66,944
8November 4 Detroit Lions W 21–135–23Com Park67,605
9November 11 New Orleans Saints W 28–276–23Com Park68,063
10November 18at Carolina Panthers W 25–22 (OT)7–2 Ericcson Stadium 72,665
11November 25at Indianapolis Colts W 40–218–2 RCA Dome 56,393
12December 2 Buffalo Bills W 35–09–23Com Park67,252
13December 9at St. Louis Rams L 14–279–3 Trans World Dome 66,218
14December 16 Miami Dolphins W 21–010–33Com Park68,223
15December 22 Philadelphia Eagles W 13–311–33Com Park68,124
16December 30at Dallas Cowboys L 21–2711–4 Texas Stadium 64,366
17 [A] January 6at New Orleans Saints W 38–012–4 Louisiana Superdome 70,020
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Standings

NFC West
WLTPCTPFPASTK
(1) St. Louis Rams 1420.875503273W6
(5) San Francisco 49ers 1240.750409282W1
New Orleans Saints 790.438333409L4
Atlanta Falcons 790.438291377L2
Carolina Panthers 1150.063253410L15

Playoffs

NFC Wild Card at Green Bay Packers

NFC Wild Card: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
49ers070815
Packers6091025

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: January 13, 2002
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m.
  • Game weather: 26 °F or −3.3 °C, relative humidity 77%, wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn), wind chill 17 °F or −8.3 °C
  • TV: FOX Announcers: Pat Summerall, John Madden, and Ron Pitts
  • Scoring
    • GB – Freeman 5 pass from Favre (kick blocked) GB 6–0
    • SF – Hearst 2 run (Cortez kick) SF 7–6
    • GB – field goal Longwell 26 GB 9–7
    • GB – Franks 19 pass from Favre (Two-point conversion failed) GB 15–7
    • SF – Streets 19 pass from Garcia (Streets pass from Garcia) Tie 15–15
    • GB – field goal Longwell 45 GB 18–15
    • GB – Green 9 run (Longwell kick) GB 25–15

Awards

Notes

  1. 1 2 The 49ers were originally scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 16) at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17.

Related Research Articles

The National Football League playoffs for the 2003 season began on January 3, 2004. The postseason tournament concluded with the New England Patriots defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, 32–29, on February 1, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The National Football League playoffs for the 2002 season began on January 4, 2003. The postseason tournament concluded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, 48–21, on January 26, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

The National Football League playoffs for the 1998 season began on January 2, 1999. The postseason tournament concluded with the Denver Broncos defeating the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34–19, on January 31, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Philadelphia Eagles season</span> 74th season in franchise history

The 2006 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 74th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the eighth under head coach Andy Reid. the Eagles improved on their 6–10 record from 2005 and finishing 10–6, reclaiming the NFC East, and winning a playoff game at home. The season ended in a Divisional Round playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints, but was seen as a success in the face of the adversity of losing starting quarterback Donovan McNabb to injury in Week 11.

The 2004 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 72nd in the National Football League (NFL). The Eagles entered the season as back-to-back-to-back NFC runner ups and had been one of the most successful teams in the league after the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb era began in 1999, making it to the playoffs for four straight seasons and to the NFC Championship Game in 2001, 2002, and 2003. However, the team could not reach the Super Bowl in any of those years, despite being favored in the latter two NFC title games. In the offseason, this already championship-level team was reinforced on both sides of the ball by the free agent additions of wide receiver Terrell Owens, defensive end Jevon Kearse and return of middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, their third-round draft pick in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Minnesota Vikings season</span> NFL team season

The 2007 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 47th in the National Football League (NFL). The Vikings' 8–8 record under second-year head coach Brad Childress was an improvement on their 6–10 record in 2006; nonetheless, for the third straight year, the Vikings failed to make the playoffs.

The 2003 season was the St. Louis Rams' 66th in the National Football League, their ninth season in St. Louis and their fourth under head coach Mike Martz. The Rams were coming off a disappointing 7–9 season and former MVP Kurt Warner was demoted to backup quarterback; Marc Bulger earned the starting job after replacing Warner in 2002 and winning six of his seven starts. Though many agree that The Greatest Show on Turf ended after the 2001 season, the Rams nonetheless finished 12–4, winning the NFC West, only to lose to the eventual NFC champions Carolina Panthers. This would be the last time the Rams won the NFC West until the 2017 NFL season.

The 1998 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 33rd in the National Football League (NFL). The Falcons qualified for the Super Bowl for the first time under the guidance of head coach Dan Reeves in his second year with the team, becoming the first dome team to play in a Super Bowl. The Falcons won their final nine regular season games to earn the #2 seed in the National Football Conference (NFC) for the postseason and the first-week bye. They also clinched their first NFC West title since 1980. They and the Broncos both had 14–2 records, but the Falcons were the second best in the league because they had a better record against common opponents. They beat the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round and the #1-seed Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game before losing to Reeves’ old team, the Denver Broncos, 34–19 in Super Bowl XXXIII. They were a perfect 8–0 at home.

The 2001 season was the Buffalo Bills' 42nd season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was fired, and was replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. At 3–13, they finished the season with the worst record in the whole American Football Conference and at last place in the AFC East division for the first time since 1985.

The 2000 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 51st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 55th overall. Jerry Rice entered the 2000 season as the oldest player in the league at the wide receiver position. At the end of the year, however, with the emergence of Terrell Owens, Rice decided to leave the team after sixteen seasons to join the Raiders. Running back Charlie Garner would join Rice in Oakland.

The 1998 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 53rd overall. The 49ers were heavily favored to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXIII.

The 1997 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 52nd overall. The team appeared in the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time in the 1990s. This season marked the 49ers' last appearance in the NFC title game until the 2011 season as well as the last time that they clinched the number 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs until the 2019 season. The team's playoff run was ended by the Green Bay Packers for the third straight season.

The 1996 San Francisco 49ers season was the club's 51st since its inception. In commemoration, the 49ers wore a special 50th anniversary patch. They also wore a new uniform reminiscent of the 1994 throwback uniforms with white pants and shadowed numbers, but with a darker shade of red and an updated logo. The franchise tied for first place in the NFC West with a 12–4 record, but lost the division title to the Carolina Panthers on the division-record tiebreaker. The 49ers ranked 3rd in the league in points scored and 4th in fewest points allowed.

The 1992 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 47th overall. The 49ers appeared in the NFC Championship Game for the fourth time in five seasons.

The 2002 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 57th season, and 53rd in the National Football League (NFL) and the sixth and final under head coach Steve Mariucci.

The 2003 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 57th season in the National Football League (NFL).

The 2003 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 71st in the league. They matched their previous season's record, going 12–4, however, they were again upset in the NFC Championship Game. The team made the playoffs for the fourth straight year, won its third straight NFC East division title, and had the NFC's top record for the second straight season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 New York Giants season</span> NFL team season

The 2002 season was the New York Giants' 78th in the National Football League (NFL) and their sixth under head coach Jim Fassel. The team improved upon their 7–9 record from the previous season by three games and returned to the playoffs for the second time in three years, ending the season on a four-game winning streak. After a midseason slump, head coach Jim Fassel stripped offensive coordinator Sean Payton of playcalling duties, and the Giants went on to a winning streak that would carry them to the playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 San Francisco 49ers season</span> NFL team season

The 2013 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 64th in the National Football League (NFL), 68th overall and third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke. This marked the first season since 2004 that quarterback Alex Smith was not on the roster as he joined the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the 49ers' final season playing their home games at Candlestick Park before moving into Levi's Stadium for the 2014 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Catch II</span> Notable NFL playoff game

The Catch II was a National Football League (NFL) Wild Card Playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers on January 3, 1999. The game, which was played at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California, became notable after a completed pass with 8 seconds left in the 4th quarter won the game for the 49ers. The 49ers, who had just lost the lead to the Packers late in the 4th quarter, were facing 3rd-and-3, when San Francisco wide receiver Terrell Owens caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Young, enabling the 49ers to defeat the Packers, 30–27. It came at the end of a 9-play, 76-yard drive engineered by Young. This game and moment mirrors a similar catch in 49ers history, when quarterback Joe Montana threw to receiver Dwight Clark in the 1981–82 NFL playoffs, and is similarly regarded as one of the most memorable events in NFL history, and a significant moment in Owens's NFL career.

References

Notes
  1. "Football | Team Game Finder". Stathead.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  2. "2001 San Francisco 49ers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  3. 49ers at Falcons October 14, 2001 from Pro Football Reference
  4. Schultz, Derek (November 23, 2021). "Jim Mora's 'Playoffs?!' Rant At 20". Indianapolis Monthly. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
Bibliography