You have options when it comes some of the miserable selections when talking about the 49ers’ history and the games that have been disappointing.
Every organization has games that are ingrained into fans’ memories, even storied franchises like the San Francisco 49ers. Oh, by the way, we’re not talking about fond memories.
I’m talking about a 1987 NFC Divisional Playoff game where the 13-2 home team not only lost to the Minnesota Vikings but saw Joe Montana get benched after being sacked four times, completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes for 4.2 yards per attempt, and throwing an interception.
All I have to do is say the name Kyle Williams, and your emotions will take care of the rest.
While there have been plenty of joys during the previous 15 years, the pain takes precedence. That pain was palpable for Super Bowl LIV. I was in Miami all week. The Niners were bright-eyed, and despite being young, looked ready for the moment. Fast forward to the fourth quarter, and the smiles were few and far between, as you could feel the inevitable happening with each passing play.
There wasn’t as much optimism the second time around against the Kansas City Chiefs, despite the 49ers being better than the previous iteration that made the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs being worse. A first-half lead was overshadowed by an injury to a key linebacker. That injury overshadowed a fumble on the first possession that would have felt like the exclamation point needed to start the game. Unfortunately, stops were hard to come by when it mattered, as were points in the red zone.
Since we’re on the topic of Super Bowls in the previous 15 years, I’d be remiss without mentioning Super Bowl XLVII, where fades and blackouts come to mind.
It’s been quite the rollercoaster. This is coming from someone who mentions he has family ties to Christian McCaffrey of the ‘80s — before it was popular to use your running back in the passing game — and is often met with a response talking about the 1990 NFC Championship. That tells you all you need to know about how a fans’ mind works.
Those are the popular games. For example, watching the Niners during the COVID season look helpless against Josh Allen on Monday Night Football doesn’t have near the significance as these other games we’re discussing, but it was a rough watch.
So, today, we ask you, what’s the worst 49ers’ game you’ve ever watched? Scroll down below and let us know in the comments.