However, with 1995's number one defense and highest scoring offense, San Francisco was picked by many to win their sixth Super Bowl.
Although favored to win, a groin injury to Steve Young, inconsistent run defense, and an aggressive blitzing scheme by Carolina led to a convincing 23–7 victory for the Panthers.
San Francisco netted only 48 yards rushing and was only 2-of-11 on third-down conversions during the contest, and the budding bitterness of the rivalry spilled into constant jawing between Panthers receivers and the Niners secondary, notably spats between Carolina receiver Willie Green and the Niners' Merton Hanks.
Despite Steve Young's absence, the 49ers were able to win 39–17 over the Falcons on three interceptions of Bobby Hebert and a team-record six field goals by Jeff Wilkins, then the Niners beat the Rams in St. Louis 28–11.
George Seifert opted for quarterback Elvis Grbac to fall on the ball and settle for a lead-changing field goal.
After jumping out to a quick 10–0 lead in the first quarter against the arch-rival Dallas Cowboys, Young was again injured and finished the game on the sidelines.
Mounting frustration over the team's struggles was perhaps best showcased by a comment from Mayor Willie Brown that Elvis Grbac (who'd thrown a key interception from his nine-yard line) was "an embarrassment to mankind" after the defeat.
With many of their stars returning from injury, including Young, William Floyd, and Brent Jones, some analysts believed that the 49ers were a team to be feared again.
Although San Francisco was able to hold them to only a field goal in the second half, the lead proved to be too much; Young also was picked off twice and sacked five times.
Humbled, San Francisco was able to regain their offensive composure, winning the following week in Pittsburgh 25–15, against the defending AFC champions who were in the hunt for the #2 seed in their conference.
Steve Young's 17/23, 2 TD performance against Detroit earned him his 5th NFL passing title with a passer rating of 97.2, edging out season MVP Brett Favre.
Their wild card match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles featured the return of Ricky Watters to San Francisco.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Young broke his ribs on the touchdown run, and the injury would force him to leave early in the first quarter the following week.