NFL Media created a countdown list of the Top 5 Playoff Performances in NFL History – a ranking of what they believe to be the top playoff runs by an individual player – and a legendary San Francisco 49ers player came in second place. Joe Montana's 1989 season playoff run, culminating in a Super Bowl victory, was good enough to make him the runner up on the list.
You can watch the entire video for the ranking below.
During the 1989 season's playoffs, Montana threw for 800 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 78.3 completion percentage over three games. The first was a 41-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The second was a 30-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Then there was the historic 55-10 victory in Super Bowl XXIV over the Denver Broncos. That win was one of four Super Bowl victories by Montana.
Who beat out Montana for the top spot? The answer likely will not please 49ers fans. It was another Joe 23 years later. Joe Flacco's 2012 playoff run earned him the top spot on the list. As most of the Niner Faithful will remember, that run ended with a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the Jim Harbaugh led 49ers. Flacco passed for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 57.9 completion percentage during that postseason run.
Playoff Picture: Where the 49ers stand entering Week 12 showdown with the Vikings
By David Bonilla
Nov 27
The San Francisco 49ers are entering a pivotal clash with the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. A lot is on the line for both teams, who each enter Week 12 with playoff aspirations.
On Thanksgiving, the New Orleans Saints fell out of the seventh and final playoff spot after a 31-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers, at 5-5, took their place. That means, if the season ended today, the Vikings and 49ers would own the final two playoff spots. A loss for either team might hurt their efforts to continue playing past Week 18.
"Sunday's home game against the Vikings could be a crucial pivot point that dramatically shifts the 49ers' playoff odds, which sat at 33 percent
49ers entrenched in playoff picture but are focused on winning
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Nov 28
The 49ers arguably had their biggest win of the season on Sunday, except for maybe their Week 10 win against the Rams, as they extended their winning streak to three games with an impressive outing against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium
Behind a rushing attack that exceeded 200 yards, led by rookie Elijah Mitchell, the 49ers were able to control the pace of the game following a shaky start, as they had a 15-minute time of possession advantage over the Vikings, helping them win this much-needed game.
Coming into Sunday's matchup, both the 49ers and the Vikings were 5-5 and battling each other for playoff seeding, with San Francisco taking sole possession of the sixth seed in the NFC playoff rankings after the win coupled with Panthers, Eagles, and Saints
Playoff Picture: Where the 49ers stand entering Week 13 clash with Seahawks
By David Bonilla
Dec 4
The San Francisco 49ers currently sit at the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture. If the season ended today, they would face the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of postseason play.
After winning three straight and watching the division-rival Los Angeles Rams lose three straight, the 49ers find themselves one game behind the Rams, who currently sit at the No. 5 playoff spot.
After last weekend's win over the Minnesota Vikings, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about his team being entrenched in the playoff picture after an impressive turnaround this season.
"It's way too early to care," Shanahan responded. "I mean, you
49ers keeping their heads up after loss to Seahawks drops them in playoff seeding
By Kirk Larrabee
Dec 5
Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks caused the 49ers to fall back a notch in the current NFC playoff race, although they're not letting the loss dim their optimism for the future.
The 49ers dropped from the 6-seed to the 7-seed in the NFC, right behind the 6-6 Washington Football Team, who rose to the 6-seed with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Here's a look at where the seeds currently stand:
Arizona Cardinals (10-2)
Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)
Dallas Cowboys (8-4)
Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
Washington Football Team (6-6) (remaining opponents, in no order: Eagles x2, Cowboys x2, at Giants)
San Francisco 49ers (6-6) (remaining opponents: Texans, Falcons,
