NFL’s 30 best teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl
This team slips through the cracks of time because it is sandwiched between the Joe Montana era of the 1980s and the triumphant Steve Young team of 1994. However, this was a crazy time for the 49ers. Montana was still on the roster and healthy, but the greatest quarterback of all-time was backing up Young, who was in his second year of starting.
Young was still trying to prove himself after San Francisco missed the playoffs in 1991. He would certainly fit the bill in 1992, becoming the NFL MVP by throwing for 3,465 yards and 25 touchdowns. Jerry Rice was also at the peak of his Hall of Fame powers with 84 catches, 1,201 receiving yards and 10 scores. In the backfield, Ricky Watters churned out 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
After plastering opponents on the way to a 14-2 record and NFC West title in the regular season, San Francisco dispatched the defending Super Bowl-champion Washington Redskins in the Divisional round. In the NFC Championship game, the favored 49ers would fall to the Dallas Cowboys, who were about to win three titles in four seasons. San Francisco would get their aforementioned championship with Young at the helm in 1994.
Next: 6. 1974 Miami Dolphins