Which San Francisco 49ers team from the past 25 years was the best?
ESPN's Bill Barnwell released his rankings of the 25 best NFL teams over the last quarter-century, and one San Francisco 49ers squad made the cut.
The Niners' franchise has fielded several notable teams over the past 25 seasons, including Kyle Shanahan's recent Super Bowl squads and Jim Harbaugh's early 2010s contenders. However, Barnwell's actual selection, which he admits "seems like a curious choice," is likely to come as a surprise—and perhaps warrants further exploration.
Do you want a clue? How about a name?
20. 2011 San Francisco 49ers (14-4)
Fate: Lost NFC Championship Game to Giants 20-17
Offense: 65th percentile
Defense: 98th percentile
Barnwell didn't pick the 2011 49ers team out of a hat; clearly, a lot of thought and analysis went into his selection, regardless of whether you agree.
He immediately addressed the most obvious question: "I wouldn't fault you for picking the 2012 team, but the 2011 49ers were more imposing on defense, allowing just over 14 points per game." Barnwell pointed out that "the 2012 49ers didn't have as impressive a regular season record," but also recognized that the 2012 team faced a tougher regular season schedule, along with a Super Bowl run that fell "just short."
Notably, there was no mention of the 49ers' recent "Dynasty of Almost."
In the end, Barnwell's decision was based in part on San Francisco's wild playoff run. "They won my pick for the best NFL game I've ever covered, a brutal, dramatic and eventually cathartic 36-32 victory over the Saints in the divisional round," Barnwell explained.
"One win away from the Super Bowl, they were engaged in a defensive struggle against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, only for it to be decided when returner Kyle Williams muffed two punts to set up the tying touchdown in the fourth quarter and the winning field goal in overtime."
"The Niners deserved better," Barnwell concluded.
Well, that's something we can all agree on.