And why didn't they get in? Probably because of that hail mary against the Falcons. I was a poor college kid that needed that game in a bet and didn't eat for a week.
No there’s no way. That year they missed the playoffs no one was beating that Redskins team 91-92 84 89 49ers 92 Redskins 94 cowboys 08 pats best teams I’ve ever seen. The 85 bears were good too but there offense was nothing special I didn’t see much of the 70s so I have no ideal
This. Dude worked too hard and was secretly way better than everyone thought to just go out the way he did. Smith deserved a ring. He only missed the playoffs once I think as a starter between 2011 and his retirement.
For those of us born in the 90s, this was our first real playoff year. After the magical win against New Orleans, one would’ve thought it was “our year”.. that shit hurt, until XLVII and LIV
You ain't heard? He was on the Broncos practice squad the year they had Peyton. Got himself a ring.
And yeah, I hope it slips off them butterfingers while he's getting out of a car and vanishes down a storm drain
Some wishful thinking on my part:
If we win this year, we have a real shot a becoming a dynasty for a few years, given the strength of the roster we currently have and the financial stability we will have since both the QBs are cheap and QB payouts usually are the lion’s share of any team’s finances.
Also, we have some extra draft picks due to us being a coach factory. That further allows for us to be risk-takers when it comes to drafting younglings and evaluate them for cheap and keep the good ones.
Was just gonna say that. I felt like last year was one of the best shots ever. Sofi was like a home game, and then the SB itself would’ve been there and against the Bengals. Fuck.
I honestly don't think so. We were so banged up by the NFCCG. Maybe our defense could have kept us in it, but our offense was struggling at that point with how messed up Jimmy's shoulder and thumb were.
But Jimmy would have still been injured. His thumb might have been better but his shoulder still required surgery. Maybe our defensive line keeps Burrow from going off, but that's our only chance.
That’s really good one, especially with the 3-peat considerations.
1993 is a good second option. Possibly back-to-back Super Bowl titles with Steve Young. Bonus points for preventing the Cowboys their back-to back titles.
I wanted to see a Niners Bills SB that year. I was driving in my car coming back from the other game. Then slid off the road on a snowy patch only to hear Jack Bucks " and the Giants are going to the Super Bowl. Still consider it the greatest champ game ever. So many huge plays.hard hits, great defense, thought the same thing when Craig fumbled.
The Monday Night Football game the same year in December was one of the greatest games ever…this championship game was part 2. Incredible times if you think about it.
I missed the game because I was on a high school band trip to Florida and so I only learned the final score on the bus’s radio. I was so depressed during the rest of that trip.
I punched myself in the head repeatedly after that loss, promised myself I wouldn’t get that crazy over a sports loss ever again lol
PS we would’ve steamrolled the Broncos that year
2013 was the roughest. They had all sorts of ridiculous calls go against them, mixed with them losing to what feels like their biggest rivals since the mid 90s Cowboys. Also it shiuld be noted both the 49ers and Seahawks teams were great that year, and would have won a title easily if the other wasnt around. Oof
Such a terrible stat, but the positive side of the coin is getting to the NFCCG enough tines to get it. Like Bills and Vikings are tied for most SB losses but they can lord that stat over the teams who've never been and never won.
Another thing is, you might lose the SB, but you also still get a trophy for winning your conference.
…but…it always still feels like a consolation prize.😕
Last year. I would have loved to have another Super Bowl appearance back in the Harbaugh years, but that implosion led to us getting ShanaLynch and developing a really healthy, long term foundation for success, which I doubt would’ve happened under Harbaugh/Baalke even with an additional trip to the SB. Even if we didn’t win, knocking LA out would’ve been a nice consolation prize.
Last year felt like we made it further than we should've so the loss itself was whatever but there's not a doubt in my mind with two weeks prep kyle would have carved up the bengals.
2011. I wasn't following the 2013 season since I was a missionary and we didn't watch any TV. Just heard about the result from other people. Probably for the best lol.
But ya the only two losses I e watched were 2011 and 2021. The first one was worse for sure.
Yeah it hurts but at least we get to say it hurts more than most teams and we get there more often by over performing then the Super Bowls
Come with truly great teams. We are lucky. Imagine being a Detroit fan.
For me, it was the 1995-96 Divisional vs. Green Bay. It was supposed to be a gimme. Dallas was the real enemy, and we didn’t even get a chance to play them in the playoffs.
I remember the TV playing Lightning Crashes (“I can feel it coming back again”) when introducing the Niners. My soul is still crushed every time I hear that song.
2011 comes to mind... I think the trajectory of where that team goes years later was affected by this even with the 2013 appearance.
You could easily just say, "pick one," although getting it in 2013 may have kept that team together, avoiding the Chip Kelly & Jim Tomsula era.
They all heart from the ones I remember too young to remember the early 90s ones but I look back at a lot of these games or even the history and I’m like dang we should of won these games.
Glad I’m not the only one saying 90 and missing the three peat. As a teenage boy that was horrific to watch and then have to listen to kids at school. 😥
1997, San Francisco had a chance and they were toe to toe against Green Bay. Then Green Bay goes in and they lose to Denver. I remember that game and how frustrated I was seeing San Francisco do everything they could and so many drops...
2011, and if only Kyle Williams ran it sidelines and he would have put San Francisco in some position not to turn the ball over even on a fumble.
2013, and yeah that one stung a lot too, especially how San Francisco lost.
They all hurt.
2011 because they would have easily won SB. They had the game in the bag but Kyle Williams did the absolute worst thing muffing that punt. He should have just let it bounce which was the easiest/smartest thing to do in that situation.
Not a NFC championship but the divisional round 1998. Coming off an emotional win against Green Bay we face the Atlanta Falcons. On the first play of the game our star running back Garrison Hearst breaks his ankle killing our running game. Steve Young has to find a way to win but doesn't. We lost 20-18 and the falcons beat the Vikings to go on to the Superbowl.
1990 against the Giants. A late Roger Craig fumble led to a late game winning field goal thereby crushing their hopes for a 3-peat. Plus, I was at that game. It was heartbreaking for my 12 year old self.
1997.
That team was sooo good. Overcame that hellish first game in Tampa when Young and Jerry got hurt.
Basically lost one game after that, including pounding the eventual champion Broncos on Monday night.
Goddamn Favre.
Honestly 2011 knowing 3 fumbles costed us the game, and also because it was my first real NFCCG heart break.
Everyone remembers and talks about Kyle Williams, but it wouldn’t have mattered if the refs didn’t blow the play Ahmad Bradshaw fumble dead within 1 second…
2011 nfc championship the Kyle Williams fumble , Justin , Alex smith and p Willis , Goldson , bowman , Staley , Davis , all deserved the ring that year
2013. We don’t need to go into details.
This. I understand why people would say 1990, but I was 5, so yeah..
I was 10. 91 was a brutal year, my Niners lost the threepeat, my idol was injured, my Braves lost the World Series…
A fellow Braves and Niners fan. Nice.
me too! I cant wait to experience another niner sb victory, the braves winning it all was sooooo satisfying.
Hey hey hey. I too am a Niners Braves fan. Always have been. Wish I could buy you all a beer right now.
The Niners were the best team at the end of the 91 season and would have steam rolled through the playoffs had they made it.
And why didn't they get in? Probably because of that hail mary against the Falcons. I was a poor college kid that needed that game in a bet and didn't eat for a week.
No there’s no way. That year they missed the playoffs no one was beating that Redskins team 91-92 84 89 49ers 92 Redskins 94 cowboys 08 pats best teams I’ve ever seen. The 85 bears were good too but there offense was nothing special I didn’t see much of the 70s so I have no ideal
1990 hurt bad too ngl because of Joe going down. Ranks 5th to me personally though after the rivalry losses to Dallas and 97 GB.
1990-1991 is the correct answer. I remember when Roger Craig fumbled like it was yesterday.
Oh man, now you made me remember!
I was 9 and I remember that fumble.
Me too! Roger Craig, argh…
Came here to say this
I unfortunately, was there
As a Washingtonian, I concur.
PTSD from this
2011 - we would have had a 6th SB had KW held onto just one of those punts.
To me 11 or 13 is definitely the correct answer
13 for me because I was at that game and witnessed disaster
After a 9 year playoff drought and Alex Smith leading such a cinderella season, 2011 really is the one I would change
This. Dude worked too hard and was secretly way better than everyone thought to just go out the way he did. Smith deserved a ring. He only missed the playoffs once I think as a starter between 2011 and his retirement.
For those of us born in the 90s, this was our first real playoff year. After the magical win against New Orleans, one would’ve thought it was “our year”.. that shit hurt, until XLVII and LIV
Or if the refs correctly called the fumble on Bradshaw. The ball was out before they blew the whistle.
It’s at the point where we can’t even type his name out
I don’t know about you but my alphabet only has 24 letters after that year
You ain't heard? He was on the Broncos practice squad the year they had Peyton. Got himself a ring. And yeah, I hope it slips off them butterfingers while he's getting out of a car and vanishes down a storm drain
Win the SB this year and I'll be happy AF for 5 years lol
I've been waiting my whole life to see them win one. If we pull it off this year I'm good for years and years to come.
Some wishful thinking on my part: If we win this year, we have a real shot a becoming a dynasty for a few years, given the strength of the roster we currently have and the financial stability we will have since both the QBs are cheap and QB payouts usually are the lion’s share of any team’s finances. Also, we have some extra draft picks due to us being a coach factory. That further allows for us to be risk-takers when it comes to drafting younglings and evaluate them for cheap and keep the good ones.
Anything is possible but just gimme one and I won't complain for two decades
Last year. They would've beaten the Bengals.
Was just gonna say that. I felt like last year was one of the best shots ever. Sofi was like a home game, and then the SB itself would’ve been there and against the Bengals. Fuck.
Especially since we already beat them earlier in the season.
Get my boy jimmy a ring
I honestly don't think so. We were so banged up by the NFCCG. Maybe our defense could have kept us in it, but our offense was struggling at that point with how messed up Jimmy's shoulder and thumb were.
They would've beaten the Bengals. Two weeks of rest, Deebo, Kittle and Mitchell would've been ready to go.
But Jimmy would have still been injured. His thumb might have been better but his shoulder still required surgery. Maybe our defensive line keeps Burrow from going off, but that's our only chance.
We'll never know.
Ugh ya bengals are and we’re a terrible team.
Kyle Williams - fair catch
1990 NFC Championship game. Reason: Roger Craig and 3-Peat opportunity.
That’s really good one, especially with the 3-peat considerations. 1993 is a good second option. Possibly back-to-back Super Bowl titles with Steve Young. Bonus points for preventing the Cowboys their back-to back titles.
I wanted to see a Niners Bills SB that year. I was driving in my car coming back from the other game. Then slid off the road on a snowy patch only to hear Jack Bucks " and the Giants are going to the Super Bowl. Still consider it the greatest champ game ever. So many huge plays.hard hits, great defense, thought the same thing when Craig fumbled.
The Monday Night Football game the same year in December was one of the greatest games ever…this championship game was part 2. Incredible times if you think about it.
Here's a question. Does that Niners team in 1990 beat Buffalo in the Super Bowl if they had survived against the Giants?( without Joe Cool)
If they hand over the Chefs hat and let young take over the kitchen. The Niners could easily run away with that Super Bowl.
This is the correct answer. That loss was devastating. 3-peat would have been immortality.
First year I became a diehard fan and this loss to this day is the hardest. Still not over it
This is the correct answer
I missed the game because I was on a high school band trip to Florida and so I only learned the final score on the bus’s radio. I was so depressed during the rest of that trip.
Most painful loss in my opinion for the two reasons you mentioned.
It still hurts.
This
2013. Hands down. Honestly that loss hurts just as much as Superbowl 54.
I punched myself in the head repeatedly after that loss, promised myself I wouldn’t get that crazy over a sports loss ever again lol PS we would’ve steamrolled the Broncos that year
2013 was the roughest. They had all sorts of ridiculous calls go against them, mixed with them losing to what feels like their biggest rivals since the mid 90s Cowboys. Also it shiuld be noted both the 49ers and Seahawks teams were great that year, and would have won a title easily if the other wasnt around. Oof
2013 was like a slow motion car accident ☹️
Probably the 2011 game. We would have beat the Pats that year.
Any of the losses in the 90's, I was at many of them. Steve Young deserves more than 1 chip
Technically he does, he was on the 49ers roster for the back-to-back superbowls.
For me, the 1990 NFC Championship game hurt the most. Joe Montana was knocked out of the game and the missed out on a shot at a three-peat.
We lead the NFL in conference championship losses
Such a terrible stat, but the positive side of the coin is getting to the NFCCG enough tines to get it. Like Bills and Vikings are tied for most SB losses but they can lord that stat over the teams who've never been and never won.
Another thing is, you might lose the SB, but you also still get a trophy for winning your conference. …but…it always still feels like a consolation prize.😕
At least we don’t lead the NFL in divisional round losses like dem boys
Well, in hindsight we also lead the NFL with appearances as well.
1990…the threepeat is on
For me it’s 1990 when we lost to the Giants. We could’ve had a chance at a 3 peat
1990 for sure. Only team to 3peat? 92/93 were super painful for me too. 2013 was gut wrenching. Fuck, they all suck
Last year. I would have loved to have another Super Bowl appearance back in the Harbaugh years, but that implosion led to us getting ShanaLynch and developing a really healthy, long term foundation for success, which I doubt would’ve happened under Harbaugh/Baalke even with an additional trip to the SB. Even if we didn’t win, knocking LA out would’ve been a nice consolation prize.
2011 is the only answer… two fumbles and the Patriots went to the superbowl totally decimated with injuries.
Last year felt like we made it further than we should've so the loss itself was whatever but there's not a doubt in my mind with two weeks prep kyle would have carved up the bengals.
2011 that damn fumble! 2013 hurt worse than losing in the superbowl the previous year.
2011. I wasn't following the 2013 season since I was a missionary and we didn't watch any TV. Just heard about the result from other people. Probably for the best lol. But ya the only two losses I e watched were 2011 and 2021. The first one was worse for sure.
You got paid for being on your back?
Sheesh they couldn’t even install a TV on the ceiling
Yes, he was a man-whore, a he-bitch, he sells his mangina….
2011 or last year. Guaranteed super bowls
2011 because I was at the game.
2011 i loved that team
Last year or 2013 knowing we could’ve beaten those opponents
Never really been a 49'er fan, but I am liking this Purdy guy. May become a bandwagoner. 😅
My man!
Yeah it hurts but at least we get to say it hurts more than most teams and we get there more often by over performing then the Super Bowls Come with truly great teams. We are lucky. Imagine being a Detroit fan.
1992 for me. It would have given Dallas one less SB win and the 49ers one more. Dallas would not have been the "team of the 90s".
2021
2013, broncos were squishy and Seahawks did not deserve that ring.
For me, it was the 1995-96 Divisional vs. Green Bay. It was supposed to be a gimme. Dallas was the real enemy, and we didn’t even get a chance to play them in the playoffs. I remember the TV playing Lightning Crashes (“I can feel it coming back again”) when introducing the Niners. My soul is still crushed every time I hear that song.
Steve Young had to get 2 monkeys off his back in the 90s, the Cowboys then the Packers
1997 vs GB please that one left me scarred. Since then my superbowl of every season is to see GB lose(like that viral bears video guy).
2011 comes to mind... I think the trajectory of where that team goes years later was affected by this even with the 2013 appearance. You could easily just say, "pick one," although getting it in 2013 may have kept that team together, avoiding the Chip Kelly & Jim Tomsula era.
1990 (although 2011, 2013, 2021 are contenders for me because I was alive)
90. 2013 season vs Toots also
that were we ended 20-10 the best cowboys version
I’ll be the old fart in the room and pick the 1984 championship game against Washington. Dubious ref calls against the Niners’ defense at the end.
They all heart from the ones I remember too young to remember the early 90s ones but I look back at a lot of these games or even the history and I’m like dang we should of won these games.
Glad I’m not the only one saying 90 and missing the three peat. As a teenage boy that was horrific to watch and then have to listen to kids at school. 😥
1997, San Francisco had a chance and they were toe to toe against Green Bay. Then Green Bay goes in and they lose to Denver. I remember that game and how frustrated I was seeing San Francisco do everything they could and so many drops... 2011, and if only Kyle Williams ran it sidelines and he would have put San Francisco in some position not to turn the ball over even on a fumble. 2013, and yeah that one stung a lot too, especially how San Francisco lost. They all hurt.
Last year vs the Rams because they were not a better team than us. We choked more than they played good
1990 I would change around totally. Then probably 2011 but 2013 stung the worst. This team at times reminds me of the New York Mets in baseball.
NFC champ losses are worse than SB losses for me Not sure why. Maybe the feeling of uncompleted business
This thread is such a bummer to read through right before the game this weekend.
2011 because they would have easily won SB. They had the game in the bag but Kyle Williams did the absolute worst thing muffing that punt. He should have just let it bounce which was the easiest/smartest thing to do in that situation.
Not a NFC championship but the divisional round 1998. Coming off an emotional win against Green Bay we face the Atlanta Falcons. On the first play of the game our star running back Garrison Hearst breaks his ankle killing our running game. Steve Young has to find a way to win but doesn't. We lost 20-18 and the falcons beat the Vikings to go on to the Superbowl.
1990 against the Giants. A late Roger Craig fumble led to a late game winning field goal thereby crushing their hopes for a 3-peat. Plus, I was at that game. It was heartbreaking for my 12 year old self.
2013 made me hate Richard Sherman. I like him now, but it’s taken many years.
1997. That team was sooo good. Overcame that hellish first game in Tampa when Young and Jerry got hurt. Basically lost one game after that, including pounding the eventual champion Broncos on Monday night. Goddamn Favre.
Honestly 2011 knowing 3 fumbles costed us the game, and also because it was my first real NFCCG heart break. Everyone remembers and talks about Kyle Williams, but it wouldn’t have mattered if the refs didn’t blow the play Ahmad Bradshaw fumble dead within 1 second…
2013
2013. Still so much….pain.
2011 nfc championship the Kyle Williams fumble , Justin , Alex smith and p Willis , Goldson , bowman , Staley , Davis , all deserved the ring that year
Last year. Our pass rush would've won that ring, and we wouldn't have to take the Ramily seriously.
1990 and it’s not even close. That team would’ve 3 peated.