2008 San Francisco 49ers season

American football team season August 2023 March 2026 San Francisco 49ers 2008 7–9 2nd NFC West Mike Nolan (fired October 20, 2–5 record) Mike Singletary (interim, 5–4 record) Mike Martz Greg Manusky Scot McCloughan John York Candlestick Park Did not qualify File:NFCW-1998-2008-Uniform-SF.PNG ILB Patrick Willis ILB Patrick Willis (2nd team) 49ers seasons The 2008 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 59th in the National Football League (NFL), their 63rd overall, and their fourth and final under the head coach Mike Nolan. The team improved on their 5–11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season with a 7–9 record. They failed to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. It was the final season that the 49ers wore their 1996 cardinal red uniforms as they reverted back to using a scarlet shade of red before the 2009 season, which is very similar to the color they used from 1964-1995. With the 49ers offense struggling the previous season, offensive coordinator Jim Hostler was fired and replaced by Mike Martz. In addition, Scot McCloughan was promoted from vice president of player personnel to general manager. Nolan was fired after a 29–17 loss to the New York Giants in Week 8 and was replaced by assistant head coach and linebackers coach Mike Singletary. Offseason Signings Pos. Player Free Agent Type 2007 Team Contract WR Isaac Bruce Released St. Louis Rams 2 years, $6 million49ers, Bruce agree on deal San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-01 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/49ers-Bruce-agree-on-deal-3293222.php Nancy Gay March 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080302140755/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F03%2F01%2FSPMOVBJN6.DTL 2 March 2008 live RB DeShaun Foster Released Carolina Panthers 2 years, $1.8 million LB Roderick Green UFA San Francisco 49ers 1 year QB Shaun Hill UFA San Francisco 49ers 3 years, $6 million QB Hill Signs With 49ers San Francisco Chronicle 2008-02-06 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/06/SPC5USH20.DTL&hw=Shaun+Hill&sn=003&sc=171 https://archive.today/20121216104845/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/06/SPC5USH20.DTL&hw=Shaun+Hill&sn=003&sc=171 dead December 16, 2012 Tom FitzGerald February 6, 2008 WR Bryant Johnson UFA Arizona Cardinals 1 year 49ers sign WR Bryant Johnson from Cardinals ESPN 2008 2008-03-14 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3293318 https://web.archive.org/web/20080317035207/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3293318 17 March 2008 dead QB J. T. O'Sullivan UFA Detroit Lions 1 year, $645,000 CB Allen Rossum Released Pittsburgh Steelers 1 year, $870,000 DE Justin Smith UFA Cincinnati Bengals 6 years, $45 million49ers spend big on defensive end San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-02 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/49ers-spend-big-on-defensive-end-3225943.php Nancy Gay March 2, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080303042104/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F03%2F02%2FSPBKVC600.DTL 3 March 2008 live DT Isaac Sopoaga UFA San Francisco 49ers 5 years, $20 million Nose tackle Sopoaga re-ups with 49ers San Francisco Chronicle 2008-02-28 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/28/SPK8VA9NU.DTL&hw=Isaac+Sopoaga&sn=001&sc=1000 https://web.archive.org/web/20080927045708/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/28/SPK8VA9NU.DTL&hw=Isaac+Sopoaga&sn=001&sc=1000 dead September 27, 2008 John Crumpacker February 28, 2008 CB Donald Strickland UFA San Francisco 49ers 1 year, $800,000 Strickland is back Santa Rosa Press Democrat 2008 2008-03-20 http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2175848&49ers October 2010 H3llBot LB Dontarrious Thomas UFA Minnesota Vikings 2 years Departures Pos. Player Free Agent Type 2008 Team Contract QB Trent Dilfer Retired DE Marques Douglas UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4 years Defensive end signs four-year deal to become Tampa's ninth new addition ESPN 2008 2008-03-13 https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3291525 https://web.archive.org/web/20080315095432/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3291525 15 March 2008 live T Kwame Harris UFA Oakland Raiders 3 years, $16 million Walker, Harris join Raiders San Francisco Chronicle 2008-03-05 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/05/SPI5VDU84.DTL&hw=Kwame+Harris&sn=001&sc=1000 https://web.archive.org/web/20080927045713/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/05/SPI5VDU84.DTL&hw=Kwame+Harris&sn=001&sc=1000 dead September 27, 2008 Nancy Gay March 5, 2008 RB Maurice Hicks UFA Minnesota Vikings 3 yearsVikings sign ex-49ers RB/KR Maurice Hicks to 3-year contract Associated Press 2008 2008-03-04 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/03/04/sports/s155331S55.DTL&type=sports https://web.archive.org/web/20080308061950/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2008%2F03%2F04%2Fsports%2Fs155331S55.DTL&type=sports 2008-03-08 dead WR Darrell Jackson Released Denver Broncos 1 year, $1.5 million G Justin Smiley UFA Miami Dolphins 5 years, $25 million LB Derek Smith Released San Diego Chargers UndisclosedLB Smith agrees with Chargers five days after 49ers released him Canadian Press 2008 2008-02-24 http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gtAGQ-ENI0lY_B7sftIMmVaiUlrgJune 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes DT Bryant Young Retired UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent NFL draft 2008 NFL draft 2008 San Francisco 49ers 1 29 Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina yes From Indianapolis 2 39 Chilo Rachal G USC yes 3 75 Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma yes 4 107 Cody Wallace C Texas A&M Made roster in 2009 6 174 Josh Morgan WR Virginia Tech yes 7 214 Larry Grant LB Ohio State no nohttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2008_draft.htm 2008 San Francisco 49ers Draftees Pro Football Reference February 24, 2022 Staff 2008 San Francisco 49ers Head coach – Mike Nolan Assistant Head Coach-Defense/Linebackers (Interim Head Coach) – Mike Singletary Assistant to the head coach/quarterbacks – Ted Tollner Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Mike Martz Running backs – Tony Nathan Senior assistant/wide receivers – Jerry Sullivan Tight ends – Pete Hoener Offensive line – George Warhop Offensive line – Chris Foerster Offensive assistant – Adam Gase Offensive quality control – Shane Day Defensive coordinator – Greg Manusky Defensive line – Jim Tomsula Defensive backs/secondary – Johnnie Lynn Defensive backs – Vance Joseph Defensive assistant/outside linebackers – Jason Tarver Special teams coordinator – Al Everest Assistant special teams – Dave Fipp Strength and conditioning – Duane Carlisle Assistant strength and conditioning – Mark Uyeyama Head athletic trainer – Jeff Ferguson Roster 2008 San Francisco 49ers 53 7 7 13 Shaun Hill 10 Jamie Martin 14 J. T. O'Sullivan 33 Thomas Clayton 29 DeShaun Foster 21 Frank Gore 24 Michael Robinson 88 Isaac Bruce 89 Jason Hill 82 Bryant Johnson 84 Josh Morgan 17 Dominique Zeigler 47 Billy Bajema 85 Vernon Davis 81 Sean Ryan 46 Delanie Walker 64 David Baas G 72 Jacob Bender T 66 Eric Heitmann C 62 Chilo Rachal G 65 Barry Sims T 68 Adam Snyder G/T 74 Joe Staley T 59 Cody Wallace C 69 Tony Wragge G 96 Kentwan Balmer DE 93 Ronald Fields DT 92 Aubrayo Franklin DT 98 Parys Haralson DE 91 Ray McDonald DE 94 Justin Smith DE 90 Isaac Sopoaga DT 95 Tully Banta-Cain OLB 55 Ahmad Brooks MLB 54 Roderick Green OLB 99 Manny Lawson OLB 51 Takeo Spikes OLB 53 Jeff Ulbrich OLB 52 Patrick Willis MLB 25 Tarell Brown CB 22 Nate Clements CB 38 Dashon Goldson SS 27 Walt Harris CB 23 Marcus Hudson CB 28 Keith Lewis FS 32 Michael Lewis SS 26 Mark Roman FS 20 Allen Rossum CB 31 Reggie Smith CB 30 Donald Strickland CB 86 Brian Jennings LS  4 Andy Lee P  6 Joe Nedney K 83 Arnaz Battle WR (IR) 7px 63 Damane Duckett T (IR) 7px 75 Jonas Jennings T (IR) 7px 45 Zak Keasey FB (IR) 7px 58 Jay Moore LB (IR) 7px 11 Alex Smith QB (IR) 7px 36 Shawntae Spencer CB (IR) 7px 44 Eric Bakhtiari LB 19 Mark Bradford WR 49 Joe Jon Finley TE 76 Ramiro Pruneda T 40 Justin Roland LB 35 Carl Stewart FB 61 Joe Toledo T Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 August 8, 2008 at Oakland Raiders L 6–18 0–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 2 August 16, 2008 Green Bay Packers W 34–6 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap 3 August 21, 2008 at Chicago Bears W 37–30 2–1 Soldier Field Recap 4 August 29, 2008 San Diego Chargers L 17–20 2–2 Candlestick Park Recap Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 7 Arizona Cardinals L 13–23 0–1 Candlestick Park Recap 2 September 14 at Seattle Seahawks W 33–30 (OT) 1–1 Qwest Field Recap 3 September 21 Detroit Lions W 31–13 2–1 Candlestick Park Recap 4 September 28 at New Orleans Saints L 17–31 2–2 Louisiana Superdome Recap 5 October 5 New England Patriots L 21–30 2–3 Candlestick Park Recap 6 October 12 Philadelphia Eagles L 26–40 2–4 Candlestick Park Recap 7 October 19 at New York Giants L 17–29 2–5 Giants Stadium Recap 8 October 26 Seattle Seahawks L 13–34 2–6 Candlestick Park Recap 9Bye 10 November 10, 2008 at Arizona Cardinals L 24–29 2–7 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 11 November 16 St. Louis Rams W 35–16 3–7 Candlestick Park Recap 12 November 23 at Dallas Cowboys L 22–35 3–8 Texas Stadium Recap 13 November 30 at Buffalo Bills W 10–3 4–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 14 December 7 New York Jets W 24–14 5–8 Candlestick Park Recap 15 December 14 at Miami Dolphins L 9–14 5–9 Dolphin Stadium Recap 16 December 21 at St. Louis Rams W 17–16 6–9 Edward Jones Dome Recap 17 December 28 Washington Redskins W 27–24 7–9 Candlestick Park Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals Cardinals 3 7 10 3 49ers 7 3 3 0 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:15 pm EST/1:15 pm PST 68 F (Sunny) 67,186 Gene Steratore Fox Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan and Chris Myers The 49ers began their 2008 campaign at home against their NFC West foe, the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers got a 25-yard field goal. San Francisco responded with RB Frank Gore getting a 41-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Arizona regained the lead with QB Kurt Warner completing a 1-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald. San Francisco tied the game with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 39-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Cardinals began to fly away as Rackers nailed a 31-yard field goal, along with RB Tim Hightower getting a 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Niners tried to respond as Nedney got a 30-yard field goal. However, Arizona pulled away with Rackers' 30-yard field goal. With the loss, the 49ers began their season at 0–1. Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks 49ers 3 10 14 3 3 Seahawks 14 6 0 10 0 Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington 4:05 pm EST/1:05 pm PST 67 F (Sunny) 67,951 Jerome Boger Fox Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, & Tony Siragusa Hoping to bounce back from their divisional home loss to the Cardinals, the 49ers flew to Qwest Field for an NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Seahawks RB Julius Jones got a 27-yard TD run, along with DT Craig Terrill returning a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco responded with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 26-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the 49ers continued to close in on Seattle as Nedney kicked a 28-yard field goal. The Seahawks responded with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 51-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Niners chopped at Seattle's lead with QB J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson. The Seahawks closed out the half with Mare's 38-yard field goal. In the third quarter, San Francisco took the lead with LB Patrick Willis returning an interception 86 yards for a touchdown and RB Frank Gore getting a 2-yard TD run. However, in the fourth quarter, Seattle regained its lead with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 1-yard TD run and Mare getting a 32-yard field goal. The Niners tied the game with Nedney's 28-yard field goal. Afterwards, in overtime, San Francisco completed its upset as Nedney nailed the game-winning 40-yard field goal. With the win, the 49ers improved to 1–1. WR Isaac Bruce (4 receptions for 153 yards) became the first 49ers wideout to have a 100-yard receiving game since Antonio Bryant during Week 2 in 2006. Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions Lions 0 3 3 7 49ers 7 14 0 10 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 1:05 pm PDT 66 F (Sunny) 67,249 Bill Leavy Fox Dick Stockton, Brian Baldinger, and Brian Billick Coming off their thrilling overtime divisional road win over the Seahawks, the 49ers went home for a Week 3 duel with the Detroit Lions. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with RB Frank Gore getting a 4-yard TD run. Striking again, Delanie Walker caught a touchdown pass shortly before half-time. The Lions responded with a 44-yard field goal by kicker Jason Hanson, yet the 49ers replied in the fourth quarter with CB Allen Rossum getting a 1-yard TD run. Detroit tried to rally as QB Jon Kitna completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Rudi Johnson, but San Francisco sealed their victory with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 25-yard field goal. With the win, the 49ers improved to 2–1. Week 4: at New Orleans Saints 49ers 3 3 3 8 Saints 0 21 0 10 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 1:00 pm EDT/10:00 pm PDT None (Domed Stadium) 70,008 Jeff Triplette Fox Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan Coming off their home win over the Lions, the 49ers flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 4 duel with the New Orleans Saints. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 47-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Saints took the lead with QB Drew Brees completing a 5-yard and a 33-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore. San Francisco answered with Nedney's 49-yard field goal, yet New Orleans replied with Brees' 47-yard TD pass to WR Robert Meachem. In the third quarter, the 49ers tried to rally as Nedney kicked a 38-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Saints continued to pull away as RB Deuce McAllister got a 1-yard TD run. The Niners tried to rally as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce, yet New Orleans sealed the win with kicker Martín Gramática nailing a 31-yard field goal. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 2–2. Week 5: vs. New England Patriots Patriots 7 10 7 6 49ers 14 0 0 7 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:15 pm. EDT/1:15 pm PDT 69 F (Sunny) 67,650 Mike Carey CBS Dick Enberg, Randy Cross, & Dan Fouts Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Saints, the 49ers went home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the New England Patriots. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 16-yard TD pass to RB Frank Gore. The Patriots responded with QB Matt Cassel completing a 66-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss, yet San Francisco answered with O'Sullivan completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, New England took the lead as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 35-yard field goal, along with RB Kevin Faulk getting a 2-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the Patriots increased their lead with Faulk getting another 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, New England added on to its lead with Gostkowski kicking a 40-yard field goal. The Niners tried to come back as O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to Bruce, but the Patriots pulled away with Gostkowski nailing a 49-yard field goal. With the loss, San Francisco fell to 2–3. During the halftime ceremony, the 49ers retired former QB Steve Young's #8 uniform. Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles Eagles 7 10 0 23 49ers 6 10 10 0 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:15 pm EDT 68 F (Sunny) 67,640 Ron Winter Fox Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan thumb|McNabb throws a pass Hoping to snap a two-game losing skid, the 49ers stayed at home for a Week 6 duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 32-yard field goal. The Eagles took the lead as RB Correll Buckhalter got a 1-yard TD run. San Francisco responded with a 37-yard field goal by Nedney. In the second quarter, Philadelphia increased their lead as QB Donovan McNabb completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Hank Baskett, along with kicker David Akers getting a 19-yard field goal. The 49ers closed out the half with Nedney making a 53-yard field goal, along with DB Donald Strickland returning a blocked field goal attempt 41 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, the Niners took the lead as RB Frank Gore got a 6-yard TD run, along with Nedney getting a 29-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Eagles rallied as McNabb completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE L.J. Smith, Akers nailing a 38-yard, a 25-yard, & a 28-yard field goal, and DE Juqua Parker returning an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. With their third-straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–4. Week 7: at New York Giants 49ers 3 7 7 0 Giants 7 10 7 5 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST 51 F (Sunny) 78,676 Walt Anderson Fox Dick Stockton and Troy Aikman Trying to snap a three-game losing skid, the 49ers flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 7 duel with the New York Giants. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs got a 26-yard TD run. San Francisco responded with a 40-yard field goal by kicker Joe Nedney. In the second quarter, New York answered with Jacobs getting a 2-yard TD run. The 49ers responded with QB J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 30-yard TD pass to rookie WR Josh Morgan. The Giants ended the half with kicker John Carney nailing a 21-yard field goal. In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with QB Eli Manning completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. The Niners struck back as CB Nate Clements returned a block field goal 74 yards for a touchdown. However, in the fourth quarter, the Giants pulled away as Carney got a 48-yard field goal, while DE Justin Tuck forced O'Sullivan into a fumble, causing the ball to roll into San Francisco's endzone, and Morgan kicking it out of the back of the endzone, giving New York a safety. With the fourth-straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–5. On Monday, October 20, the day after the game, the 49ers fired coach Mike Nolan and replaced him with Mike Singletary. Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks Seahawks 6 14 7 7 49ers 0 3 3 7 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:15 p.m. EDT 64 F (Sunny) 67,504 Terry McAulay Fox Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Giants, the 49ers went home for a Week 8 NFC West rematch with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare got a 43-yard and a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Seattle increased its lead with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 1-yard TD run. San Francisco got on the board with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 42-yard field goal, but the Seahawks continued its beatdown as CB Josh Wilson returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, the 49ers replied with Nedney making a 40-yard field goal, yet Seattle continued to pull away as QB Seneca Wallace completed a 43-yard TD pass to FB Leonard Weaver. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco tried to rally as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to rookie WR Jason Hill. However, the Seahawks pulled away as Wallace hooked up with Weaver again on a 62-yard TD pass. During the game, Vernon Davis committed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct which prompted what would later become an infamous tirade by Singletary during the post-game press conference. Singletary addressed benching Davis by stating: "I'd rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else rather than play with 11 when I know that right now that person is not sold out to be a part of this team. It is more about them than it is about the team. Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win."ESPN.com https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/1051/singletary-takes-stand-against-49ers-davis Singletary takes stand against 49ers' Davis Sando Mike October 26, 2008 October 11, 2025 With the loss, the 49ers entered their bye week at 2–6. Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals 49ers 7 14 3 0 Cardinals 3 10 7 9 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona 8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 pm PST 62 F (Clear) 64,519 Tony Corrente ESPN Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Tony Kornheiser Coming off their bye week, the 49ers flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. Due to J.T. O'Sullivan's inconsistency, QB Shaun Hill was named the starter for the game. In the first quarter, the Niners immediately struck first as CB Allen Rossum returned the game's opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals answered with a 28-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased their lead as Hill completed a 31-yard TD pass to rookie WR Josh Morgan. Arizona responded with QB Kurt Warner completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin, along with Rackers making a 33-yard field goal. The Niners closed out the first half scoring with Hill completing an 18-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis. In the third quarter, the Cardinals tried to catch up as Warner completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald, yet the 49ers answered with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Arizona took the lead as Racker nailed a 23-yard field goal, along with Warner hooking with Boldin again on a 4-yard TD pass (with a failed 2-point conversion). San Francisco did manage to get a late-game drive. However, the Cardinals' defense made a goal-line stand to end the game. With their sixth straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–7. Week 11: vs. St. Louis Rams Rams 0 3 6 7 49ers 7 28 0 0 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 4:05 pm EDT/1:05 pm PST 75 F (Sunny) 67,573 Alberto Riveron Fox Matt Vasgersian, J.C. Pearson, & Nischelle Turner thumb|Hill takes a snap Trying to snap a six-game losing streak, the 49ers went home for a Week 11 NFC West duel with their hated rival, the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as RB Frank Gore got a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 24-yard field goal. Afterwards, San Francisco unleashed its frustrations as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis, Gore got a 1-yard TD run, Hill got a 1-yard TD run, and Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson. In the third quarter, St. Louis got a 48-yard and a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter QB Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker. The 49ers had deployed most of the second string roster for the 4th quarter. Shaun Hill had a perfect passer rating in the first half and a career-high 47-yard completion. Hill also won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. With their six-game losing streak snapped, the 49ers improved to 3–7. Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys 49ers 6 0 3 13 Cowboys 0 22 7 6 Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas 1:00 pm EDT/10:00 am PST 64 F (Partly Cloudy) 63,272 Mike Carey Fox Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, & Pam Oliver Coming off their divisional home win over the Rams, the 49ers flew to Texas Stadium for a Week 12 game with the throwback-clad Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 23-yard and a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Cowboys took the lead as QB Tony Romo completed a 75-yard TD pass to former 49ers WR Terrell Owens. Dallas continued its domination as LB Carlos Polk blocked punter Andy Lee's punt into the back of the endzone for a safety. The Cowboys closed out its period of power as kicker Nick Folk got a 48-yard and a 41-yard field goal, along with Romo completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Martellus Bennett. In the third quarter, Dallas increased its lead with Romo completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton. San Francisco tried to rally as Nedney got a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys answered with Folk getting a 47-yard field goal. The 49ers tried to come back as QB Shaun Hill completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce, but Dallas replied with Folk nailing a 42-yard field goal. The Niners tried to rally as Hill completed a 9-yard TD pass to RB DeShaun Foster, but that was as close as San Francisco's comeback got. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 3–8. Week 13: at Buffalo Bills 49ers 7 3 0 0 Bills 0 0 3 0 Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York 1:00 pm EDT/10:00 am PST 38 F (Mostly Cloudy) 70,988 Bill Carollo Fox Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, & Charissa Thompson Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Cowboys, the 49ers flew to Ralph Wilson Stadium for a Week 13 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB Shaun Hill completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased their lead as kicker Joe Nedney got a 50-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Bills tried to rally as kicker Rian Lindell nailed a 22-yard field goal. The Niners' defense held Buffalo's offense scoreless for the remainder of the game. With the win, not only did the 49ers improve to 4–8, but they finally gave the West Coast its first East Coast win. Week 14: vs. New York Jets Jets 0 7 7 0 49ers 7 7 0 10 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 1:05 pm PST 54 F (Cloudy) Ed Hochuli CBS Jim Nantz & Phil Simms Returning to Candlestick Park, the 49ers geared up for a rematch against Brett Favre and his new team. The game started when the 49ers attempted an onside kick, recovered by the Jets. Later, the 49ers went up first as Shaun Hill completed a pass to Jason Hill that was fumbled at the goal line and recovered by offensive tackle Joe Staley for the touchdown. Then, Brett Favre ran for a 2-yard touchdown. The 49ers retook the lead as Shaun Hill completed a touchdown screen pass to Frank Gore. After half-time, Thomas Jones plowed through the 49ers secondary to get a 17-yard score. On the ensuing 49ers possession, a Shaun Hill touchdown pass to Delanie Walker was called back, and the 49ers settled for a Joe Nedney 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers cemented their lead when Shaun Hill completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to a diving Bryant Johnson. The Jets had enough time to make a late comeback, but a Brett Favre deep pass was intercepted by Walt Harris. The 49ers ran down the clock and punted, and the Jets did not have sufficient time to attempt the comeback. The 49ers fumbled the ball a total of 5 times, although they lost only one. With the win, the 49ers improved to 5–8. However, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the Arizona Cardinals win against the St. Louis Rams, clinching the NFC West for Arizona. Week 15: at Miami Dolphins 49ers 3 0 3 3 Dolphins 7 7 0 0 Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST 77 F (Cloudy) Scott Green Fox Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, & Chris Myers Week 16: at St. Louis Rams 49ers 3 0 0 14 Rams 0 13 0 3 Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri 12:00 pm CST/10:00 am PST None (Domed Stadium) 54,948 Carl Cheffers Fox Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, & Chris Myers Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Dolphins, the 49ers flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 16 NFC West rematch with the awful Rams. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first with a 48-yard field goal from kicker Joe Nedney. The Rams took the lead in the second quarter with kicker Josh Brown's 43-yard field goal, quarterback Marc Bulger's 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keenan Burton, and Brown's 38-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, St. Louis increased its lead in the fourth quarter with Brown nailing a 22-yard field goal. Afterwards, San Francisco took the lead with quarterback Shaun Hill completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaac Bruce and a 48-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Josh Morgan. With the season-sweep, the 49ers improved to 6–9. This was also the 1st time the 49ers swept the Rams since 2005. Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins Redskins 0 17 0 7 49ers 7 0 7 13 Candlestick Park, San Francisco 1:15 pm PST 55 F (Cloudy) 67,519 Pete Morelli Fox Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, & Charissa Thompson Looking to keep the momentum from their last-minute victory against the Rams, the 49ers closed out their season at home in a Week 17 duel with the Washington Redskins. San Francisco struck first in the first quarter as quarterback Shaun Hill got a 2-yard touchdown run. Washington took the lead in the second quarter as running back Clinton Portis got a 4-yard touchdown run, kicker Shaun Suisham got a 41-yard field goal, and quarterback Jason Campbell completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. The 49ers began to rally in the third quarter as running back DeShaun Foster got a 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco took the lead as Hill completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Hill, along with kicker Joe Nedney's 33-yard field goal. The Redskins tied the game as Campbell getting a 2-yard touchdown run, yet the Niners prevailed as Nedney nailed the game-winning 39-yard field goal. They were 2–5 under Coach Mike Nolan at the beginning of the season, and finished their season 5–4 under interim coach Mike Singletary. With the strong finish to their season, the 49ers ended their season at 7–9, 2 games behind the division leading Arizona who finished 9–7. San Francisco running back Frank Gore (11 carries for 58 yards) became the first player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Shortly after the game ended, the 49ers announced that the 'interim' label had been removed from head coach Mike Singletary and that he would return next season. New 49ers team president Jed York reportedly signed Singletary to a 4-year deal worth approximately $10 million.Crumpacker John Singletary named coach after 49ers win https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Singletary-named-coach-after-49ers-win-3178967.php 2008-12-29 The San Francisco Chronicle https://web.archive.org/web/20081230131347/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F12%2F29%2FSPLO1505OJ.DTL 30 December 2008 live December 29, 2008 Standings References External links https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/2008.htm 2008 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco Category:San Francisco 49ers seasons Category:2008 in San Francisco San