[2] This was also only the second season where four linebackers from the same team made the pro bowl with the other time being the year prior.
The usually steely defense showed some chinks as Eagles running back Herschel Walker rushed for more than 100 yards.
Big plays on both sides of the ball broke it open for the Saints, as quarterback Bobby Hebert connected with wide receivers Eric Martin and Wesley Carroll on touchdown passes of 52 and 72 yards, respectively.
The 49ers had worn the title of "Team of the Decade" for the 1980s and were the primary stumbling block for an otherwise resurgent Saints franchise during Jim Mora's tenure as head coach.
Saints guard Derek Kennard was flagged for holding and, on the next play, a pass into tight coverage was picked off by 49ers cornerback Eric Davis.
But the defense couldn't hold the lead as Steve Young led San Francisco on two touchdown drives in the 4th quarter to win 21–20.
The first was a Monday Night win over the Washington Redskins, 20–3, keyed by a Hebert-to-Early touchdown pass and stifling defense.
A blindsiding takeaway from Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino by speed-rushing linebacker Pat Swilling led to Robert Goff's second fumble return touchdown of the season.
Big plays on both sides of the ball turned game in the Eagles favor, the first being a Randall Cunningham-to-Fred Barnett touchdown pass and the last an interception return for a score by Eric Allen.
On offense, the team's passing game enjoyed its best season of the Jim Mora era to date.