They had made the playoffs in the three seasons between Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII, but were eliminated each time in the first round, primarily because of the poor performances by their offensive stars in those games; quarterback Joe Montana, receiver Jerry Rice and running back Roger Craig all failed to produce a single touchdown.
The broadcast booth of the 49ers radio network also saw change, as Joe Starkey substituted for longtime 49ers play by play announcer Lon Simmons during several games, mostly in October when Simmons called the Oakland Athletics 1988 American League Championship Series and 1988 World Series games for the Oakland A's flagship station, KSFO–AM.
Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) Tight ends (TE) Defensive linemen (DL) Defensive backs (DB) Special teams Reserve [2] 1988 Team Starters Offense Defense Kicking Team at Wembley Stadium • London, England at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California In the 1988 season, San Francisco won the NFC West with a 10–6 regular season record, but it was a long uphill battle; the 49ers, Rams, and Saints all finished 10–6 with the 49ers winning the division on tiebreakers.
Craig was also a key contributor with a total of 2,036 combined rushing and receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Montana came in and fired a 77-yard touchdown in the final minutes to Jerry Rice and a 20–17 Niners win (the play, 76 All Go, had only bern installed that week).
Joe Montana threw four touchdowns and Steve Young added a fifth while Roger Craig and Tom Rathman accounted for 186 rushing yards.
[12] at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California Individual stats [14] at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California Individual stats Joe Montana ran in a six-yard touchdown and threw for 191 yards and an interception; he was sacked three times and replaced by Young as John Elway tied the game 13–13 on a touchdown to Vance Johnson.
[18] at Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois Individual stats The Niners struggled to a 10–9 loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football.
[23] [24] at Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, Arizona Individual stats With Young still starting, the 49ers raced to a 23–0 lead in the third quarter, and Coach Bill Walsh felt it was the sharpest the offense had looked all season.
The Cardinals, however, began clawing back as Neil Lomax rifled a pair of touchdowns; making matters worse for San Francisco was a whopping 14 penalties for 106 yards.
The 49ers’ final drive stalled when officials did not call a pass interference penalty on the Raiders over a play to Jerry Rice inside the 10-yard line.
[28] at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California Individual stats The refocused Niners erupted on the defending champion Redskins, racing to a 23–7 halftime lead and winning 37–21.
Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams of the Redskins threw three touchdowns while Timmy Smith was held to just six rushing yards.
Passing Rushing Receiving Kicking Punting Kick Return Punt Return Sacks Interceptions Fumbles Tackles Scoring Summary Team Quarter-by-quarter [38] at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California Individual stats For the third time in some 365 days the 49ers hosted the Vikings, and for the second time in that span it was in the playoffs.
Minnesota entered having shot down the Rams 28–17 and boasting an offense fourth in scoring with a defense second in fewest points allowed with a plus-23 turnover differential – and none of it made any difference as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns in the first half and Jerry Rice caught all three.
[42] at Joe Robbie Stadium •, Miami Gardens, Florida Individual stats The game is remembered for the 49ers' fourth-quarter game-winning drive.