Editing Super Bowl XXIV (section)

====San Francisco 49ers====
{{main|1989 San Francisco 49ers season}}

The 49ers entered the game seeking to win their second straight Super Bowl. [[Bill Walsh (football coach)|Bill Walsh]] retired as head coach after San Francisco's 20–16 win over the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] in the [[Super Bowl XXIII|previous year's]] [[Super Bowl]], but rookie head coach [[George Seifert]] did not miss a beat, as he guided the 49ers to a league-best 14–2 regular season record.  Their two losses were only by a combined margin of 5 points.

The 49ers' offense was just as dominating as it was during the previous regular season. Quarterback [[Joe Montana]] threw for 3,512 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, giving him what was then the highest single-season [[passer rating|quarterback rating]] in NFL history (112.4). Montana also rushed for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns, and earned both the [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award]] and the [[NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award]]. Wide receiver [[Jerry Rice]] had another outstanding season, catching 82 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Running back [[Roger Craig (American football)|Roger Craig]] was the team's leading rusher with 1,054 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he recorded 49 receptions for 473 yards and another touchdown.

But other stars on the 49ers' offense began to emerge, enabling the team to spread the ball around. After being used primarily as a punt returner during his first two seasons, wide receiver [[John Taylor (American football player)|John Taylor]] had a breakout season, catching 60 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning 36 punts for 417 yards.  Tight end [[Brent Jones]] recorded 40 receptions for 500 yards.  Fullback [[Tom Rathman]] had the best season of his career, rushing for 305 yards and catching 73 passes for 616 yards.  Kicker [[Mike Cofer (kicker)|Mike Cofer]] scored 136 points while making a career-high 80.6% of his field goals. Even Montana's backup, [[Steve Young (American football)|Steve Young]], had a great year, throwing for 1,001 yards and 8 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions, while also rushing for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. With all of these weapons, San Francisco's offense led the league in total yards from scrimmage (6,268) and scoring (442 points).

The 49ers' defense allowed the third-fewest points in the NFL (253).  Defensive end [[Pierce Holt]] recorded 10.5 sacks, as did linebacker [[Charles Haley]]. In addition to Haley, their linebacking corps was anchored by [[Keena Turner]], [[Matt Millen]], and [[Bill Romanowski]]. Future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] safety [[Ronnie Lott]] led the team with 5 interceptions. Defensive backs Eric Wright and [[Chet Brooks]] also combined for 5 interceptions between them.