1984 San Francisco 49ers season explained

Team:San Francisco 49ers
Year:1984
Record:15–1
Division Place:1st NFC West
Owner:Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
General Manager:John McVay and
Carmen Policy
Coach:Bill Walsh
Def Coach:George Seifert
Stadium:Candlestick Park
Playoffs:Won Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Giants) 21–10
Won NFC Championship
(vs. Bears) 23–0
Won Super Bowl XIX
(vs. Dolphins) 38–16
Shortnavlink:49ers seasons

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers season was their 35th season in the National Football League (NFL) and 39th overall. The season was highlighted by their second Super Bowl victory. The franchise had its best season ever, with a record of 15 wins and only 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Joe Montana was awarded the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player Award for the second time in his career, joining Bart Starr and Terry Bradshaw as the only two-time Super Bowl MVPs.

History

The 1984 49ers became the first team to win fifteen games in the NFL's regular season since the league went to a sixteen-game schedule in 1978. The 49ers, if not for their loss to the Steelers, would have become the 2nd team after the 1972 Miami Dolphins to complete a perfect season, and the Forty-Niners would have been the first to do so since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule. The 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2011 Green Bay Packers, and the 2015 Carolina Panthers would later join the 1984 49ers to finish 15–1, although the 2007 New England Patriots would exceed this feat by finishing the regular season at an unbeaten 16–0, losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14. However, the only other one of these teams that won the Super Bowl was the 1985 Bears.

In the playoffs, the 49ers were the #1 seed. They defeated the Giants 21–10 in the divisional round. Then they shut out the Chicago Bears 23–0 in the NFC Championship and finally defeated the Miami Dolphins 38–16 in Super Bowl XIX. This 49ers team has gone down as the best in franchise history, and many call this season the best in Joe Montana's career.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled A Team Above All; Brad Crandall narrated it. On January 29, 2007, NFL Network aired , in which they ranked the 1984 49ers at #8; the film was narrated by Gene Hackman and featured commentary from players Russ Francis, Keena Turner and Dwight Hicks. More than a decade later, the team gained greater esteem by ranking #4 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.[1] [2]

Offseason

NFL draft

See main article: article and 1984 NFL draft.

Round Pick Player Position College
124Todd ShellLBBrigham Young
2Choice to L.A. Raiders
256(Choice from L.A. Raiders)John FrankTEOhio State
373(Choice from St. Louis)Guy McIntyreGGeorgia
3Choice to St. Louis
4Choice from Tampa Bay to Seattle
4Choice to San Diego
5121(Choice from Atlanta)Michael CarterNTSouthern Methodist
5Choice from Denver to Atlanta
5Choice to St. Louis
5139(Choice from Washington through L.A. Raiders)Jeff FullerDBTexas A&M
6Choice to Atlanta
7Choice to New England
8Choice to San Diego
9239(Choice from Chicago)Lee MillerDBCal State Fullerton
9248Derrick HarmonRBCornell
10275Dave MoritzWRIowa
11304Kirk PendletonWRBrigham Young
12Choice from Chicago to Miami
12Choice to San Diego
[3]

NFL Supplemental Draft

See main article: article and 1984 NFL supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players.

Round Pick Player Position Pro TeamCollege
124Derrick CrawfordWRMemphis Showboats (USFL)Memphis State
251Joe ConwellOTPhiladelphia Stars (USFL)North Carolina
380Mark SchellenRBNew Orleans Breakers (USFL)Nebraska
[4]

Training Camp

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.

Personnel

Roster

[5]

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1Los Angeles RaidersW 13–101–0Candlestick Park54,990Recap
2at Denver BroncosL 13–201–1Mile High Stadium70,211Recap
3at San Diego ChargersL 15–351–2Jack Murphy Stadium58,356Recap
4Seattle SeahawksW 23–212–2Candlestick Park49,219Recap

Regular season

The 49ers advanced to their second Super Bowl in team history after becoming the first team ever to win 15 regular season games since the league expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Much of the hype surrounding the team was their offense, which boasted 5 Pro Bowlers. Quarterback Joe Montana recorded 279 out of 432 completions for 3,630 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. Running back Roger Craig was one of the 49ers' major weapons, both rushing and receiving. Craig was the team's second leading rusher with 649 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, and also caught 71 passes for 675 yards. Pro Bowl running back Wendell Tyler, who had rushed for a team record 1,262 yards during the regular season, recorded 7 rushing touchdowns, and also caught 28 passes for 230 yards and 2 touchdown receptions. Wide receivers Freddie Solomon and Dwight Clark also were deep threats, gaining a combined total of 1,617 yards and 16 touchdowns. Up front, 3 of the 49ers' 5 starting offensive linemen, Randy Cross, Fred Quillan, and Keith Fahnhorst, had been selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Overall, San Francisco's offense finished the season ranked second in the NFL in scoring (475 points) and fourth in total yards (6,544).

Although they did not get as much media attention as the offense, the 49ers defense led the league in fewest points allowed during the regular season (227). All 4 of the 49ers' starting defensive backs, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson, and Dwight Hicks, were selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Pro Bowl linebacker Keena Turner was also a major defensive weapon, recording 2 sacks and 4 interceptions for 51 yards. Defensive end Dwaine Board anchored the line, recording 10 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1September 2at Detroit LionsW 30–271–0Pontiac Silverdome56,782Recap
2Washington RedskinsW 37–312–0Candlestick Park59,707Recap
3September 16New Orleans SaintsW 30–203–0Candlestick Park57,611Recap
4September 23at Philadelphia EaglesW 21–94–0Veterans Stadium62,771Recap
5September 30Atlanta FalconsW 14–55–0Candlestick Park57,990Recap
6at New York GiantsW 31–106–0Giants Stadium76,112Recap
7October 14Pittsburgh SteelersL 17–206–1Candlestick Park59,110Recap
8October 21at Houston OilersW 34–217–1Astrodome39,900Recap
9October 28at Los Angeles RamsW 33–08–1Anaheim Stadium65,481Recap
10November 4Cincinnati BengalsW 23–179–1Candlestick Park58,324Recap
11November 11at Cleveland BrownsW 41–710–1Cleveland Stadium60,092Recap
12November 18Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 24–1711–1Candlestick Park57,704Recap
13November 25at New Orleans SaintsW 35–312–1Louisiana Superdome65,177Recap
14December 2at Atlanta FalconsW 35–1713–1Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium29,644Recap
15Minnesota VikingsW 51–714–1Candlestick Park56,670Recap
16Los Angeles RamsW 19–1615–1Candlestick Park59,743Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[6]

49ers by 2½

49ersGame StatisticsLions
24First downs19
32–124Rushes–yards28–132
188Passing yards177
16–25–017–24–0
2–14Sacked–yards2–11
174Net passing yards166
298Total yards298
198Return yards98
2–45.54–44.0
2–1Fumbles–lost0–0
2–32Penalties–yards6–45
30:44Time of Possession29:16

[7]

49ers by 2

RedskinsGame Statistics49ers
20First downs30
21–62Rushes–yards40–167
331Passing yards381
24–43–024–40–0
4–22Sacked–yards2–14
309Net passing yards367
371Total yards534
132Return yards74
7–36.63–34.7
3–0Fumbles–lost3–2
6–60Penalties–yards6–50
25:15Time of Possession34:45

[8]

49ers by 5½

SaintsGame Statistics49ers
20First downs19
31–119Rushes–yards32–148
162Passing yards179
16–34–513–26–1
2–13Sacked–yards3–20
149Net passing yards159
268Total yards307
166Return yards160
3–46.05–40.8
0–0Fumbles–lost0–0
4–47Penalties–yards6–54
31:38Time of Possession28:22

[9]

49ers by 4½

49ersGame StatisticsEagles
23First downs15
37–177Rushes–yards20–72
252Passing yards187
17–34–016–41–1
4–31Sacked–yards2–18
221Net passing yards169
398Total yards241
173Return yards51
7–39.17–40.0
2–0Fumbles–lost0–0
12–141Penalties–yards4–30
34:31Time of Possession25:29

[10]

49ers by 6

FalconsGame Statistics49ers
22First downs17
35–161Rushes–yards32–161
267Passing yards149
22–41–213–25–0
2–10Sacked–yards0–0
257Net passing yards149
418Total yards310
48Return yards62
4–38.85–43.8
3–1Fumbles–lost3–2
5–45Penalties–yards5–56
34:57Time of Possession25:03

[11]

49ers by 3

49ersGame StatisticsGiants
18First downs23
32–167Rushes–yards23–113
218Passing yards303
16–27–025–44–2
1–1Sacked–yards4–27
217Net passing yards276
384Total yards389
123Return yards142
5–39.05–42.4
1–0Fumbles–lost0–0
7–40Penalties–yards3–20
28:08Time of Possession31:52

[12]

49ers by 8

SteelersGame Statistics49ers
23First downs22
47–175Rushes–yards20–117
156Passing yards241
11–18–124–35–1
1–7Sacked–yards0–0
149Net passing yards241
324Total yards358
106Return yards131
2–41.03–30.7
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
11–68Penalties–yards8–57
34:45Time of Possession25:15
The 49ers' hope for a perfect season was foiled by the Steelers when Gary Anderson kicked the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter that would ultimately prevent the 49ers from going undefeated.[13] [14]

Week 8 (Sunday, October 21, 1984): at Houston Oilers

[15]

49ers by 11

49ersGame StatisticsOilers
25First downs22
38–164Rushes–yards18–82
353Passing yards356
25–35–125–33–2
1–0Sacked–yards2–6
353Net passing yards350
517Total yards432
85Return yards105
3–49.33–46.3
2–0Fumbles–lost3–1
8–70Penalties–yards7–75
34:13Time of Possession25:47

[16]

49ers by 3

49ersGame StatisticsRams
23First downs12
39–111Rushes–yards19–72
376Passing yards180
22–32–014–30–2
2–15Sacked–yards5–46
361Net passing yards134
472Total yards206
35Return yards123
3–38.06–39.8
2–2Fumbles–lost5–3
6–41Penalties–yards3–25
35:26Time of Possession24:34

[17]

49ers by 10½

BengalsGame Statistics49ers
21First downs26
25–116Rushes–yards31–91
269Passing yards301
21–34–227–42–4
6–39Sacked–yards1–7
230Net passing yards294
346Total yards385
144Return yards190
6–38.22–47.0
0–0Fumbles–lost0–0
6–46Penalties–yards5–30
29:24Time of Possession30:36

[18]

49ers by 6

49ersGame StatisticsBrowns
23First downs10
39–213Rushes–yards20–43
263Passing yards220
24–30–113–33–1
1–8Sacked–yards2–12
255Net passing yards208
468Total yards251
90Return yards125
2–38.56–37.0
1–1Fumbles–lost5–3
7–45Penalties–yards5–32
35:27Time of Possession24:33

[19]

49ers by 12

BuccaneersGame Statistics49ers
23First downs25
20–89Rushes–yards39–190
316Passing yards247
26–41–019–23–0
1–8Sacked–yards2–9
308Net passing yards238
397Total yards428
61Return yards99
3–41.02–48.0
2–1Fumbles–lost3–3
7–38Penalties–yards3–35
28:17Time of Possession31:43

[20]

49ers by 2

49ersGame StatisticsSaints
22First downs12
33–219Rushes–yards28–131
201Passing yards118
15–32–014–26–1
1–13Sacked–yards8–48
188Net passing yards70
407Total yards201
107Return yards113
6–44.38–45.5
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
4–60Penalties–yards3–20
27:48Time of Possession32:12

[21]

49ers by 13

49ersGame StatisticsFalcons
15First downs23
31–143Rushes–yards36–153
165Passing yards289
12–24–222–43–3
2–18Sacked–yards3–28
147Net passing yards261
290Total yards414
224Return yards112
5–39.64–40.8
1–1Fumbles–lost3–3
9–73Penalties–yards8–50
24:33Time of Possession35:27

[22]

49ers by 17

VikingsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs29
24–90Rushes–yards40–184
233Passing yards346
21–39–125–35–0
6–58Sacked–yards1–9
175Net passing yards337
265Total yards521
203Return yards102
7–44.32–48.5
0–0Fumbles–lost1–0
7–65Penalties–yards4–25
26:41Time of Possession33:19

[23]

49ers by 6

RamsGame Statistics49ers
19First downs15
37–185Rushes–yards20–89
180Passing yards219
11–22–020–31–0
1–10Sacked–yards4–19
170Net passing yards200
355Total yards289
95Return yards88
4–37.86–44.5
2–1Fumbles–lost2–0
6–57Penalties–yards8–75
32:52Time of Possession27:08

Game officials

Preseason

WeekOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField Judge
1Los Angeles Raiders
2at Denver Broncos(71)(42)(8)(56)(21)(16)(91)
3at San Diego Chargers
4Seattle Seahawks(70)(103)(35)(15)(22)(62)(93)

Regular season

WeekOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField Judge
1at Detroit Lions(71) Bob Frederic(67) John Keck(63) Ligouri Hagerty(30) Dan Wilford(38) Bill Swanson(120) Gary Lane(96) Don Hakes
2Washington Redskins(60) Dick Jorgensen(50) Neil Gereb(108) Bob McLaughlin(41) Dick McKenzie(24) Roy Clymer(66) Dave Hawk(31) Dick Dolack
3New Orleans Saints(6) Tom Dooley(42) Dave Hamilton(26) Ed Marion(94) Vern Marshall(36) Bob Moore(87) Dick Ferguson(18) Bob Lewis
4at Philadelphia Eagles(12) Ben Dreith(57) Ed Fiffick(8) Dale Williams(53) Bill Reynolds(28) Don Wedge(47) Tom Fincken(119) Ron Spitler
5Atlanta Falcons(95) Bob McElwee(27) Al Conway(111) Earnie Frantz(56) Carver Shannon(99) Banks Williams(80) Bob Rice(76) Ed Merrifield
6at New York Giants(43) Red Cashion(78) Art Demmas(81) Dave Anderson(45) Ron DeSouza(52) Ben Tompkins(97) Nate Jones(84) Bob Wortman
7Pittsburgh Steelers(40) Pat Haggerty(115) Hendi Ancich(85) Frank Glover(44) Walt Peters(92) Jim Poole(61) Dick Creed(75) Don Habel
8at Houston Oilers(14) Gene Barth(101) Bob Boylston(37) Burl Toler(54) Jack Johnson(98) Jimmy Vosser(34) Gerald Austin(86) Bernie Kukar
9at Los Angeles Rams(71) Bob Frederic(67) John Keck(63) Ligouri Hagerty(30) Dan Wilford(38) Bill Swanson(120) Gary Lane(96) Don Hakes
10Cincinnati Bengals(60) Dick Jorgensen(50) Neil Gereb(108) Bob McLaughlin(41) Dick McKenzie(24) Roy Clymer(66) Dave Hawk(31) Dick Dolack
11at Cleveland Browns(7) Fred Silva(19) Tom Hensley(65) Norm Kragseth(59) Bob Beeks(21) Pete Liske(64) Dave Parry(77) Don Orr
12Tampa Bay Buccaneers(6) Tom Dooley(42) Dave Hamilton(26) Ed Marion(94) Vern Marshall(36) Bob Moore(87) Dick Ferguson(18) Bob Lewis
13at New Orleans Saints(9) Jerry Markbreit(117) Ben Montgomery(104) Dale Hamer(33) Howard Roe(25) Tom Kelleher(102) Merrill Douglas(91) Bill Stanley
14at Atlanta Falcons(32) Jim Tunney(68) John Leimbach(109) Sid Semon(3) Boyce Smith(107) Jim Kearney(90) Gil Mace(23) Johnny Grier
15Minnesota Vikings(48) Gordon McCarter(110) Ron Botchan(72) Terry Gierke(39) Jack Fette(29) J.W. Sanders(49) Dean Look(82) Pat Mallette
16Los Angeles Rams(70) Jerry Seeman(103) Rex Stuart(35) Leo Miles(15) Bama Glass(22) Paul Baetz(62) Duwayne Gandy(93) Jack Vaughn

Final statistics

Statistical comparison

San Francisco 49ersOpponents
First downs356302
First downs rushing138101
First downs passing204173
First downs penalty1428
Third down efficiency96/20775/213
Fourth down efficiency5/76/21
Net yards rushing24651795
Rushing attempts534432
Yards per rush4.64.2
Passing – Completions/attempts312/496298/546
Times sacked–total yards27–17851–363
Interceptions thrown1025
Net yards passing39013381
Total net yards63665176
Punt returns–total yards45–52130–190
Kickoff returns–total yards47–103978–1499
Interceptions–total return yards25–34510–155
Punts–average yardage62–40.980–40.5
Fumbles–lost26–1236–13
Penalties–total yards100–99491–723
Time of possession30:2629:34
Turnovers2238

Quarter-by-quarter

49ers Quarter-by-quarter
1234T
49ers11015767141475
Opponents29864864227

Individual leaders

1Completions/attempts2Carries3Long gain4Receptions5Interceptions6Sacks7Punts8Kickoff Returns9Punt Returns

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
DivisionalNew York Giants (5)W 21–101–0Candlestick ParkRecap
NFC Championship January 6, 1985Chicago Bears (3)W 23–02–0Candlestick ParkRecap
Super Bowl XIXJanuary 20, 1985Miami Dolphins (A1)W 38–163–0Stanford StadiumRecap

Quarterback Joe Montana threw for 309 yards and 3 touchdown passes as he led the 49ers to a victory, while receiver Dwight Clark caught 9 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.

[24]

49ers by 12

GiantsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs22
25–87Rushes–yards28–131
218Passing yards309
25–44–225–39–3
6–45Sacked–yards4–28
173Net passing yards281
260Total yards412
178Return yards97
6–37.75–42.0
2–1Fumbles–lost0–0
2–25Penalties–yards5–29
31:29Time of Possession28:31

The 49ers passed for 236 yards while limiting the Bears to only 87 passing yards and no points.

[25]

49ers by 10

BearsGame Statistics49ers
13First downs25
32–149Rushes–yards29–159
87Passing yards236
13–22–119–35–2
9–50Sacked–yards3–8
37Net passing yards228
186Total yards387
84Return yards84
7–43.13–39.0
1–0Fumbles–lost1–0
7–50Penalties–yards3–20
31:53Time of Possession28:07

[26]

49ers by 3

DolphinsGame Statistics49ers
19First downs31
9–25Rushes–yards40–211
318Passing yards331
29–50–224–35–0
4–29Sacked–yards1–5
289Net passing yards326
314Total yards537
155Return yards91
6–39.33–32.7
1–0Fumbles–lost2–2
1–10Penalties–yards2–10
22:49Time of Possession37:11

Game officials

RoundOpponentRefereeUmpireHead LinesmanLine JudgeBack JudgeSide JudgeField JudgeAlternates
NFC Divisional PlayoffNew York Giants(14) Gene Barth(110) Ron Botchan(35) Leo Miles(54) Jack Johnson(21) Pete Liske(49) Dean Look(82) Pat Mallette
NFC Championship GameChicago Bears(70) Jerry Seeman(89) Gordon Wells(17) Jerry Bergman(53) Bill Reynolds(106) Al Jury(64) Dave Parry(77) Don Orr(31) Dick Dolack
Super Bowl XIXMiami Dolphins (at Stanford, California)(40) Pat Haggerty(19) Tom Hensley(35) Leo Miles(74) Ray Dodez(25) Tom Kelleher(58) Bill Quinby(18) Bob Lewis(9) Jerry Markbreit
(101) Bob Bolyston

Awards and records

1985 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl

See main article: article and 1985 Pro Bowl.

NumberPlayerPositionConference
51Randy CrossRG, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
71Keith FahnhorstTNFC Pro Bowlers
22Dwight HicksFS, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
42Ronnie LottLCB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
16Joe MontanaQB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
55Fred QuillanC, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
58Keena TurnerLBNFC Pro Bowlers
26Wendell TylerRBNFC Pro Bowlers
27Carlton WilliamsonSNFC Pro Bowlers
21Eric WrightCBNFC Pro Bowlers
[27]

Media

Pre season Local TV

Local Radio

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NFL Top 100 Teams. Pro Football Reference.
  2. Web site: 100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT. NFL.com.
  3. Book: . San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide . San Francisco 49ers . 562 .
  4. Book: . San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide . San Francisco 49ers . 562 .
  5. Web site: 1984 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster . Pro-Football-Reference.com . March 1, 2015 .
  6. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984090211 The Football Database
  7. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984091001 The Football Database
  8. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984091610 The Football Database
  9. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984092312 The Football Database
  10. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984093003 The Football Database
  11. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984100801 The Football Database
  12. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984101411 The Football Database
  13. Web site: Hayes . Joshua . Steelers vs. 49ers: The 1984 Classic That Foiled an Undefeated Season . 2022-06-02 . Bleacher Report . en.
  14. Web site: Throwback Thursday: Steelers hand 49ers only defeat in 1984 . 2022-07-18 . Pittsburgh Steelers . en-US.
  15. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984102111 The Football Database
  16. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984102812 The Football Database
  17. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984110403 The Football Database
  18. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984111113 The Football Database
  19. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984111811 The Football Database
  20. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984112510 The Football Database
  21. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984120211 The Football Database
  22. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984120802 The Football Database
  23. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984121401 The Football Database
  24. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1984122902 The Football Database
  25. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1985010602 The Football Database
  26. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1985012001 The Football Database
  27. Book: . San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide . San Francisco 49ers . 517 .

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