Editing San Francisco 49ers (section)

==== George Seifert years (1989–1996) ====
After Super Bowl XXIII, Bill Walsh retired as head coach; his defensive coordinator and handpicked successor, [[George Seifert]], took over as head coach.<ref name="o585">{{cite web | last=Miller | first=Johnny | title=With Browns in pursuit, 49ers make Seifert head coach, 1989 | website=SFGATE | date=2014-01-26 | url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/with-browns-in-pursuit-49ers-make-seifert-head-5170548.php | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XXIV champions (1989) =====
In the [[1989 NFL season]], Joe Montana threw for 3,521 yards and 26 touchdowns, with only 8 interceptions, giving him a 112.4 quarterback rating, which was then the highest single-season passer rating in NFL history, and was named [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award|NFL Most Valuable Player]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Montana 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MontJo01/gamelog/1989/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Passer Rating Single-Season Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/pass_rating_single_season.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Jerry Rice, in his fifth year in the league, continued to dominate; he led the league with almost 1,490 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Rice 1989 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1989/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 49ers clinched their fourth straight division title, beating the [[1989 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] 30–27 after a dramatic second-half comeback; they finished 14–2, gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their two losses were by a combined five points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1989.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In the divisional playoffs, they easily defeated the Vikings, 41–13. In the [[1989–90 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 30, Los Angeles Rams 3|NFC championship game]], they played against the Rams for a third time; the previous two games had been decided by a total of 4 points, but they were able to blow out the Rams 30–3, earning another trip to the Super Bowl, where they defeated the [[1989 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] in relatively easy fashion by a score of 55–10 in [[Super Bowl XXIV]] – setting a record for points scored and widest margin of victory in a Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001060sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers - January 14th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos - January 28th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001280den.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Montana himself set many Super Bowl records (some since tied or surpassed) en route to his third Super Bowl MVP. In winning the Super Bowl, the 49ers became the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls under different head coaches. This 1989 championship team is often regarded as one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, winning three playoff games by a combined 100 points.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://dev.realclearsports.com/lists/dominating_postseason_team_performances/1989_san_francisco_49ers.html | title=Top 10 Most Dominant Postseasons: 1989 San Francisco 49ers | date=May 28, 2012 | access-date=February 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205233159/http://dev.realclearsports.com/lists/dominating_postseason_team_performances/1989_san_francisco_49ers.html | archive-date=February 5, 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref>[[File:SF 49ers HQ tophy wall.JPG|thumb|right|49ers wall of trophies at the Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Center]]
In [[1990 NFL season|1990]], the 49ers won their first 10 games, and they eventually finished 14–2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1990.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> They ripped through the season, and the coveted third consecutive Super Bowl victory seemed within reach. In the playoffs, the 49ers dispatched the [[1990 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 28–10,<ref name="1991Divisional">{{cite news|last1=Stellino|first1=Vic|title=Montana picks Redskins apart in 28–10 victory 49ers' interceptions thwart two drives|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/01/13/montana-picks-redskins-apart-in-28-10-victory-49ers-interceptions-thwart-two-drives/|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 13, 1991|access-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090401/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-01-13/sports/1991013121_1_joe-montana-montana-time-49ers|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> setting up a conference championship game with the [[1990 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]. Despite not scoring a touchdown in the game, the Giants took advantage of a fourth-quarter injury to Montana and converted a faked punt attempt to thwart the 49ers' attempt at a "three-peat". The Giants kicked a last-second field goal after recovering a Roger Craig fumble in the final minutes of the game, winning 15–13 and going on to win [[Super Bowl XXV]].<ref name="Gutsiest">{{cite web|last1=Merron|first1=Jeff|title=The List: Gutsiest calls in sports|url=http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/gutsiestcalls.html|website=ESPN|access-date=August 19, 2017|format=Page 2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820062925/http://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/gutsiestcalls.html|archive-date=August 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

During their quest for a "three-peat" between 1988 and 1990, the 49ers set a league record with 18 consecutive road victories.<ref name="g335">{{cite web | title=The Top 17 Streaks in San Francisco 49ers History | website=49ers.com| date=2015-02-03 | url=https://www.49ers.com/news/the-top-17-streaks-in-san-francisco-49ers-history-14879170 | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> Joe Montana missed almost all of the following two seasons with a recurring elbow injury. Following the 1990 season, the 49ers left team stalwarts Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott unprotected and let them go to the [[Los Angeles Raiders]] via Plan B free agency.<ref name="l845">{{cite web | last=Gay | first=Nancy | title=Mystery still surrounds extent of injury to Montanta's elbow | website=Baltimore Sun | date=1991-09-04 | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/09/04/mystery-still-surrounds-extent-of-injury-to-montantas-elbow/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

In [[1991 NFL season|1991]], [[Steve Young (American football)|Steve Young]] injured the thumb on his throwing hand and later was sidelined with an injured knee. After 10 games, the 49ers had a record of 4–6. Backup quarterback [[Steve Bono]] helped the team win its next five games with Young sidelined. In the final game of the season, Monday night versus the NFC's number two seed, Young returned and the 49ers beat the [[1991 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] 52–14, finishing 10–6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1991.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> However, the team missed qualifying for the playoffs by virtue of losing the head-to-head tiebreaker to the [[1991 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], which had beaten the 49ers on a last-second Hail Mary pass earlier in the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In [[1992 NFL season|1992]], Joe Montana came back after missing almost two full seasons due to an elbow injury in his throwing arm and started the second half of a Monday night game versus [[1992 Detroit Lions season|Detroit]] on December 28, 1992. With the 49ers clinging to a 7–6 lead, Montana entered the game and looked as though he had not missed a single snap, completing 15–21 for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns, as the 49ers defeated the Lions 24–6. The 49ers finished the 1992 season with a 14–2 record and home-field advantage in the playoffs. San Francisco defeated the [[1992 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 20–13 in the divisional playoff game but lost to the [[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 30–20 in the NFC championship at Candlestick Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers - January 9th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301090sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 17th, 1993 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

At the end of the 1992 season, partly fueled by media hype, the biggest quarterback controversy in football history was in full swing. After discussions with the owner and the coach, Montana asked for, and was granted, a trade to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] prior to the 1993 season.<ref name="r306">{{cite web | last=Gatto | first=Tom | title=Why Joe Montana left the 49ers for the Chiefs | website=Sporting News | date=2020-01-31 | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/why-joe-montana-left-the-49ers-for-the-chiefs/1u7yyq3mopvjs1dcj0nuw5mgb2 | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref> Despite Eddie DeBartolo wanting Montana to stay and start, Montana realized that he and Young could not stay with the 49ers without a controversy. Montana was later quoted as saying, "If I had stayed and started, there would have been problems. If I had stayed and Steve Young had started, there would have been problems."

The 49ers finished the [[1993 NFL season|1993 season]], the team's first without Joe Montana on the roster, with a 10–6 record and no. 2 seed in the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1993.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/index.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> San Francisco defeated the [[1993 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] 44–3 in the divisional playoff game but lost to the [[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] 38–21 in the NFC championship at Texas Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401150sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys - January 23rd, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230dal.htm |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

===== Super Bowl XXIX champions (1994) =====
[[File:49ers Super Bowl ring.jpg|thumb|200px|The 49ers ring for [[Super Bowl XXIX]]]]
[[File:Steve Young HOF jersey.jpg|thumb|Quarterback [[Steve Young]]'s jersey, displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
In [[1994 NFL season|1994]], the team spent large amounts of money on the addition of several star free agents from other teams, including [[Ken Norton (American football)|Ken Norton Jr.]], [[Gary Plummer (American football)|Gary Plummer]], [[Rickey Jackson]], [[Bart Oates]], [[Richard Dent]], [[Charles Mann (American football)|Charles Mann]] and [[Deion Sanders]].<ref name="f244">{{cite web | last=Fucillo | first=David | title=The 49ers salary cap maneuvering in 1994 was entertaining as all get out | website=Niners Nation | date=2017-06-11 | url=https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/6/11/15777230/49ers-salary-cap-maneuvering-1994-deion-sanders-ken-norton#:~:text=They%20signed%20Deion%20Sanders%2C%20Gary,players%20left%20other%20owners%20complaining. | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> Additionally, several rookie players made key contributions to the team, some becoming season-long starters such as defensive tackle [[Bryant Young]], fullback [[William Floyd (American football)|William Floyd]], and linebacker [[Lee Woodall]]. Due to injuries to the offensive line, the 49ers had some tough times early in the season, including a 40–8 home loss to the [[1994 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]], and a 24–17 loss to the [[1994 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]], led by former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. Following the Eagles game, a poll conducted on local sports radio station [[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]] showed that an overwhelming majority of 49er fans wanted head coach George Seifert fired. The game against the Eagles was a turning point for the 49ers despite the lopsided score. Quarterback Steve Young was benched in the 3rd quarter and was later seen on the sidelines, shouting profanities at Seifert. The following week in Detroit, the 49ers trailed the [[1994 Detroit Lions season|Lions]] 7–0. After throwing a pass, Young was hit, picked up, and driven into the ground by three Lions defenders. He crawled most of the way off of the field before refusing help from the trainers as he limped the remaining way off the field. He returned to the field two plays later (NFL rules state that after trainers attend to an injured player, that player must leave the field for at least one play) to lead the 49ers to a 27–21 victory. The team rallied around Young to win 10 straight games, including a 21–14 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]. During that span the 49ers' average margin of victory was nearly 20 points per game, a sustained dominance not seen since the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985 Chicago Bears]]. Despite scoring only 8 points in one game and 14 in another, the 49ers set a new record for total regular-season and post-season combined points scored. That record was later broken by the [[2007 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in 2007 (the 1998 Minnesota Vikings scored 556 regular-season points, but only 68 postseason points, for a total of 624 points, while the 1994 49ers scored 495 regular-season points and 131 postseason points for a total of 626, the second-highest mark in NFL history). Even after those initial rough spots early in the season, the 49ers finished the season 13–3 and with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1994.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In their first game, they easily defeated the [[1994 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], 44–15, setting up the third straight [[1994–95 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 38, Dallas Cowboys 28|49ers–Cowboys NFC championship game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - January 7th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501070sfo.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The 49ers took advantage of three early Cowboys turnovers, taking a 21–0 lead in the first quarter. Taking a 31–14 lead into halftime after a perfect 29-yard pass from Young to Rice in the closing seconds, the game appeared to be far out of reach for the Cowboys. But a 49er fumble on the opening kick of the 3rd quarter led to a Cowboy score, cutting the lead to 31–21. Later, the 49ers responded with a Young touchdown run, making it 38–21, before the Cowboys scored another touchdown in the final minutes for a final score of 38–28.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers - January 15th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The convincing win qualified the 49ers for their fifth [[Super Bowl]] appearance, and the first to be played by two teams from California. The 49ers steamrolled the [[1994 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] 49–26 behind Young's record-setting 6 touchdown passes in [[Super Bowl XXIX]], at the time becoming the first team to win a record five Super Bowls.<ref name="u712">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Dave | title=SPORTS OF THE TIMES: SUPER BOWL XXIX; Steve Young Showcases His 21st Century Offense | website=The New York Times | date=1995-01-30 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/30/sports/sports-times-super-bowl-xxix-steve-young-showcases-his-21st-century-offense.html | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> Finally establishing himself as a worthy successor to Joe Montana, Young was named the game's MVP.<ref name="n066">{{cite web | title=SUPER BOWL XXIX; All Routs Lead to San Francisco: 49ers Win Fifth Title | website=The New York Times | date=1995-01-30 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/30/sports/super-bowl-xxix-all-routs-lead-to-san-francisco-49ers-win-fifth-title.html | access-date=2024-09-01}}</ref> The 49ers' run of five Super Bowl wins in 14 seasons (1981–1994) solidified them alongside the 1960s [[Vince Lombardi]] [[Green Bay Packers]] and 1970s [[Chuck Knoll]] [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] as one of the modern NFL's great dynasties.<ref name="k732">{{cite web | last=Costello | first=Brian | title=Little debate about who tops the best dynasties in NFL history | website=New York Post | date=2018-01-27 | url=https://nypost.com/2018/01/27/little-debate-about-who-tops-the-best-dynasties-in-nfl-history/ | access-date=2024-08-05}}</ref>

The 49ers finished with a 11–5 record, won the division, and made the playoffs in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The team finished with a 12–4 record and made the postseason in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In both 1995 and 1996, they were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers both times in the Divisional Round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 6th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199601060sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers - January 4th, 1997 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701040gnb.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On January 17, 1997, [[George Seifert]] resigned as 49ers head coach.<ref name="c164">{{cite web | last=Simers | first=T.J. | title=Seifert Leaves 49ers With Bear of a Coach | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1997-01-16 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-16-sp-19241-story.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> On the same day as Seifert's resignation, the 49ers hired [[California Golden Bears football|Cal]] head coach [[Steve Mariucci]] as his replacement. At the time, Mariucci only had one year of head-coaching experience at any level.<ref name="w686">{{cite web | last=Silver | first=Michael | title=WHIZ KID WITH THEIR BOLD HIRING OF YOUNG STEVE MARIUCCI, THE 49ERS THINK THEY'VE LANDED THE BILL WALSH OF THE FUTURE | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=1997-01-27 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/01/27/whiz-kid-with-their-bold-hiring-of-young-steve-mariucci-the-49ers-think-theyve-landed-the-bill-walsh-of-the-future | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> The first game of the [[1997 NFL season|1997 season]] against the [[1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] was a disaster, as both quarterback Steve Young and receiver Jerry Rice went down with injuries. Rice appeared to be out for the season with a serious knee injury, while Young left the game with one of the many concussions he suffered throughout his career. However, the team overcame adversity: Young returned two weeks later, and with the league's number one defense, the 49ers finished the season with a 13–3 record which included an 11-game winning streak which was the longest by a rookie head coach at the time, and the 49ers became the quickest team in NFL history to clinch their division at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1997 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1997.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Rice returned for one and a half quarters in week 16 against the [[Denver Broncos]], before getting another injury to his knee (unrelated to the first one). In the playoffs the 49ers defeated the [[Minnesota Vikings]] 38–22,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers - January 3rd, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801030sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> advancing to the [[1997–98 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers 23, San Francisco 49ers 10|NFC championship game]] for the first time since 1994, where they again met the [[1997 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] at Candlestick Park, but lost 23–10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 11th, 1998 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

During that season Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was involved in a corruption investigation regarding [[Louisiana]] [[Governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Edwin Edwards]] and one of his [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] [[riverboat]] [[casino]]s. DeBartolo later pleaded guilty to a failure to report a felony charge in 1998. He was suspended from active control of the 49ers for one year.<ref name="f757">{{cite web | title=DeBartolo Will Be Fined and Suspended by the NFL | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1999-03-16 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-16-sp-17896-story.html | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> His sister, [[Denise DeBartolo York|Denise]], and her husband, [[John York|Dr. John York]], took over operations of the team.<ref name="t196">{{cite web | last=Burack | first=Emily | title=Who Owns the San Francisco 49ers? All About the York Family | website=Town & Country | date=2024-02-11 | url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a46625844/who-are-york-family-san-francisco-49ers-owner/ | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref>

In [[1998 NFL season|1998]], Jerry Rice finally returned from his knee injury week 1 against the [[New York Jets]], a game best remembered for running back [[Garrison Hearst]]'s 96-yard touchdown run in overtime to win the game.<ref name="u554">{{Cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Briana  |last2=Hession |first2=Joe |date=2022-09-06 |title=This Day in The Bay: Garrison Hearst's Game-Winning Touchdown |url=https://www.49ers.com/news/this-day-in-the-bay-garrison-hearst-s-game-winning-touchdown |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=49ers.com}}</ref> The 49ers had the 2nd most productive offense in league history. Young, who was questioned if his concussion history would put an end to his career, had his best season, throwing for 4,170 yards, 36 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. A healthy Jerry Rice, 3rd-year player [[Terrell Owens]], and 4th-year player [[J.J. Stokes]] became the first WR-trio in team history to catch at least 60 passes in the same season, Hearst ran for 1,570 yards and 7 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The 49ers finished 12–4, their 16th straight winning season (all with 10 wins or more), earning a wildcard berth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 San Francisco 49ers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1998.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Once again, the 49ers faced the [[1998 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in the playoffs. Things looked bleak when the 49ers trailed 27–23 in the waning seconds. However, in the game's final moment, Young hit Terrell Owens (who was having a terrible game up to that point) on a dramatic, game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass, dubbed by many as "[[The Catch II]]".<ref name="r037">{{cite web | title=Inside 'The Catch II,' the Play That Catapulted Terrell Owens' HOF Career | website=49ers.com| date=2019-07-12 | url=https://www.49ers.com/news/inside-the-catch-ii-the-play-that-catapulted-terrell-owens-hall-of-fame-career | access-date=2024-08-30}}</ref> That put the 49ers ahead 30–27 with just three seconds left on the game clock, sealing the win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 3rd, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901030sfo.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> After finally beating the Packers, the 49ers went on to lose to the eventual NFC champion [[1998 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] in the [[1998–99 NFL playoffs#NFC: Atlanta Falcons 20, San Francisco 49ers 18|Divisional round]] 20–18, in a game that was marked by Hearst suffering a gruesome broken ankle on the first play from scrimmage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - January 9th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901090atl.htm |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>