Editing Super Bowl XXIII (section)

===Second quarter===

Then after reaching the Cincinnati 42-yard line, Montana spotted defensive back [[Lewis Billups]] trying to cover Rice one-on-one and made him pay for it by completing a pass to the receiver at the 10. But two plays later on a third-down play, Bengals safety [[David Fulcher]] made a touchdown saving tackle at the 2 to keep Rathman from scoring. Cofer then attempted a 19-yard field goal, but a poor snap from center [[Randy Cross]], in his final game, (though NBC's Dick Enberg initially blamed backup guard Chuck Thomas; who lined up next to Cross and split long-snapping duties; primarily on punts) threw off the kicker's timing and his kick sailed wide left. Cofer succeeded [[Rich Karlis]], who missed a 21-yard field goal in [[Super Bowl XXI]], as the kicker with the shortest missed field goal in Super Bowl history, a record that still holds.

The 49ers then forced the Bengals to punt on their next drive. On the play, San Francisco Pro Bowl punt returner [[John Taylor (American football player)|John Taylor]] misplayed punter [[Lee Johnson (punter)|Lee Johnson]]'s kick, and it sailed over his head, bouncing all the way to the 49ers 9 to make it a then-Super Bowl record 63-yard punt. But Taylor made up for his mistake by chasing the ball down and returning it for a then-Super Bowl record 45 yards to the Bengals 46. Thanks to Taylor, a seemingly routine punt had turned into a double record setter. Taylor's Super Bowl record for longest punt return stood for 27 seasons until [[Super Bowl 50]], when [[Denver Broncos]]' return specialist [[Jordan Norwood]] had a 61-yard return. Johnson's Super Bowl record for longest punt stood for 30 seasons until [[Super Bowl LIII]], when [[Los Angeles Rams]]' punter [[Johnny Hekker]] had a 65-yard punt.

However, the 49ers were unable to take advantage of their excellent starting field position. On first down, running back [[Harry Sydney]] fumbled a pitch from Montana and was downed for a 10-yard loss after he dove on the ball. On the next play, Montana was sacked by defensive lineman David Grant (who replaced Krumrie at [[nose tackle]]). Then on third down, Fulcher forced a fumble from 49ers running back [[Roger Craig (American football)|Roger Craig]], and Bengals defensive end [[Jim Skow]] recovered the ball on his own 41. Cincinnati then drove to the San Francisco 42, but after two incomplete passes and defensive end [[Danny Stubbs]]'s eight-yard sack on Bengals quarterback [[Boomer Esiason]], they were forced to punt. However, Johnson pinned the 49ers back at their own 11. Then the Cincinnati defense limited the 49ers to just one yard on their ensuing drive, and ended up with great field position after defensive back [[Ray Horton]] returned San Francisco punter [[Barry Helton]]'s 37-yard punt five yards to the 49ers 44.

On their ensuing drive, the Bengals managed to get into scoring range by driving 28 yards to the San Francisco 16, assisted by an 18-yard completion from Esiason to receiver [[Tim McGee]]. But after Esiason's third down pass intended for wide receiver Eddie Brown was overthrown, they were forced to settle for kicker [[Jim Breech]]'s 34-yard field goal with 1:15 left in the half.

The two teams went into their locker rooms tied 3–3, the first halftime tie in Super Bowl history, and the lowest halftime score since the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] took a 2–0 halftime lead over the [[Minnesota Vikings]] in [[Super Bowl IX]].