411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1994 San Francisco 49ers season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
American football team season
August 2023
March 2026
San Francisco 49ers 1994 13–3 1st NFC West George Seifert Mike Shanahan Ray Rhodes John McVay and Carmen Policy Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. Candlestick Park 10https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/probowl.htm 1994 NFL Pro Bowlers Pro-Football-Reference.com
QB Steve Young
RB Ricky Watters
WR Jerry Rice
TE Brent Jones
G Jesse Sapolu
C Bart Oates
DT Dana Stubblefield
CB Deion Sanders
SS Tim McDonald
FS Merton Hanks
5https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1994/allpro.htm 1994 NFL All-Pros Pro-Football-Reference.com
QB Steve Young
WR Jerry Rice
TE Brent Jones
CB Deion Sanders
S Merton Hanks
Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. Bears) 44–15 Won NFC Championship(vs. Cowboys) 38–28 Won Super Bowl XXIX(vs. Chargers) 49–26 49ers seasons
The 1994 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 45th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall, and their sixth under head coach George Seifert. This season was highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXIX. The championship made San Francisco the first team to win five Super Bowls. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the previous two conference championship games, the 49ers made significant acquisitions in the 1994 free agent market. This included the signing of two-sport star Deion Sanders and Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton, Jr. Sanders had a major impact on the team's success, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and recording six interceptions. The 49ers won their division, the NFC West, for the eighth time in nine seasons.
Quarterback Steve Young had his best NFL season and won his second MVP award. Young set what was, at the time, the NFL record for highest passer rating in a season – 112.8.The record was eclipsed by Peyton Manning in 2004. Cold Hard Football Facts states that Young's 1994 season is the second greatest passing season in NFL history,http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/Archive_3224_The_Dandy_Dozen:_12_best_passing_seasons_in_history.html Cold Hard Football Facts The Dandy Dozen: 12 best passing seasons in history June 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120729042325/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/Archive_3224_The_Dandy_Dozen:_12_best_passing_seasons_in_history.html July 29, 2012 behind only Joe Montana's 1989 season. The team set a franchise record for most points scored in the regular season with 505 total. The team also set the NFL playoff record for most points scored in a postseason with 131.
For the third consecutive season, the 49ers met the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. From the mid-1980s until the latter 1990s, the AFC was widely regarded as the NFL's weaker conference. At the time of this conference championship game, AFC teams had lost the previous 10 Super Bowls in a row, starting with Super Bowl XIX after the 1984 season. All but two of those losses were by at least 10 points; five of them were by more than 20 points. As a result, the NFC Championship meeting between the Niners and Cowboys was dubbed by many as "the real Super Bowl.""The Real Super Bowl". Sports Illustrated cover, January 16, 1995 issue. The magazine cover shows a blown-up image of a ticket to the 1994 NFC Championship game, and photos of 49ers quarterback Steve Young and Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, all beneath the caption "The Real Super Bowl".https://buffalonews.com/news/todays-winner-will-earn-title-but-not-respect/article_a8bfc238-e4cd-50e4-87d8-238d773cf656.html Today's Winner Will Earn Title, But Not Respect Vic Carucci January 15, 1995 The Buffalo News Buffalo, New York https://web.archive.org/web/20220126143235/https://buffalonews.com/news/todays-winner-will-earn-title-but-not-respect/article_a8bfc238-e4cd-50e4-87d8-238d773cf656.html January 26, 2022 June 14, 2023 The contest was one of the highest rated non-Super Bowl games in NFL history.
The 49ers beat the two-time defending champion Cowboys 38–28, ending their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to three-peat. San Francisco went on to defeat the San Diego Chargers 49–26 in Super Bowl XXIX. Young was named the game's MVP after throwing a record six touchdown passes. The game also set the record for most points scored by both teams in a Super Bowl with 75 total, a record that stands to this day.
The 1994 49ers ranked #19 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.NFL Top 100 Teams https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nfl-top-100-teams.htm Pro Football Reference100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100–1 SUPERCUT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzU600OwVc NFL.com As of the 2025 NFL season, this is the last Super Bowl the 49ers have won.
3
Offseason
NFL draft
1994 NFL draft
1994
San Francisco 49ers
1
7
Bryant Young
Defensive tackle
Notre Dame
from Atlanta via Indianapolis & L.A. Rams
yes
yes
yes
1
28
William Floyd
Running back
Florida State
from Dallas
yes
2 53 Kevin Mitchell Linebacker Syracuse from Green Bay yes
2 62 Tyronne Drakeford Cornerback Virginia Tech yes
3 85 Doug Brien Kicker California Compensatory pick yes
3 87 Cory Fleming Wide receiver Tennessee no
5 153 Tony Peterson Linebacker Notre Dame yes
6 182 Lee Woodall Linebacker West Chester yes yes
San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 575
Training camp
The 49ers held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.
Personnel
Staff
1994 San Francisco 49ers Owner – Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr.
President – Carmen Policy
Vice President of Football Administration – John McVay
Coordinator of Football Operations and Player Personnel – Dwight Clark
Director of Pro Personnel – Allan Webb
Director of College Scouting – Vinny Cerrato
Coaching Administrator and Financial Liaison – Neal Dahlen Head Coach – George Seifert
Assistant Head Coach – Bill McPherson Offensive Coordinator – Mike Shanahan
Quarterbacks – Gary Kubiak
Running Backs – Carl Jackson
Receivers – Larry Kirksey
Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line – Mike Solari
Offensive Line – Bobb McKittrick
Offensive Coaches Assistant – Brian Pariani Defensive Coordinator – Ray Rhodes
Defensive Line – Dwaine Board
Linebackers – John Marshall
Defensive Backs – Tom Holmoe Special Teams – Alan Lowry Physical Development Coordinator – Jerry Attaway
Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Michael Barnes
San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XXIX Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 1995 1 Administration Directory
Roster
1994 San Francisco 49ers 18 Elvis Grbac
14 Bill Musgrave
8 Steve Young American football 35 Dexter Carter
40 William Floyd American football y FB
43 Marc Logan
20 Derek Loville
27 Adam Walker American football, born 1968
32 Ricky Watters 81 Ed McCaffrey
80 Jerry Rice
88 Nate Singleton
82 John Taylor American football 86 Brett Carolan y
84 Brent Jones
85 Ted Popson 79 Harris Barton T
65 Harry Boatswain T
67 Chris Dalman G/C
63 Derrick Deese G
69 Rod Milstead G
66 Bart Oates C
75 Frank Pollack American football T
61 Jesse Sapolu G
64 Ralph Tamm G
74 Steve Wallace American football T 96 Dennis Brown defensive end DE
95 Richard Dent DE
91 Rhett Hall DT
99 Tim Harris linebacker DE
57 Rickey Jackson DE
58 Todd Kelly American football DE
71 Charles Mann American football DE
94 Dana Stubblefield DT
72 Mark Thomas defensive end DE
92 Troy Wilson defensive lineman DE
97 Bryant Young y DT 98 Antonio Goss OLB
90 Darin Jordan LB
55 Kevin Mitchell linebacker y MLB
51 Ken Norton Jr. OLB
53 Tony Peterson y OLB
50 Gary Plummer American football MLB
54 Lee Woodall y OLB 41 Toi Cook CB
25 Eric Davis American football CB
33 Dedrick Dodge SS
22 Tyronne Drakeford y CB
28 Dana Hall American football FS
36 Merton Hanks FS
46 Tim McDonald American football SS
21 Deion Sanders CB 4 Doug Brien y K
10 Klaus Wilmsmeyer P 90 Junior Bryant DT
17 Mike Caldwell wide receiver y WR
56 Jamal Fountaine y LB
29 John Ivlow RB
53 active, 4 practice squad
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1994_roster.htm 1994 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster Pro-Football-Reference.com November 18, 2014
Preseason
Schedule
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap 1 August 5, 1994 at Arizona Cardinals L 7–17 0–1 Sun Devil Stadium Recap 2 August 12, 1994 Denver Broncos W 20–3 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap 3 August 18, 1994 at San Diego Chargers W 30–24 2–1 Jack Murphy Stadium Recap 4 August 26, 1994 Seattle Seahawks W 13–9 3–1 Candlestick Park Recap
Regular season
In 1994, after the retirements and departures of several stalwarts from the late 1980s and early 1990s teams, the 49ers spent large amounts of money on the addition of several star free agent veterans. The revamp focused mainly on defense, where six new starters including Ken Norton, Jr., Gary Plummer, Rickey Jackson, and Deion Sanders were implemented, all with the ultimate goal in mind of dethroning the Dallas Cowboys. Said safety Merton Hanks, "Those players came in on one and two-year deals and they understood, 'if we do not get it done this year this organization is going to blow itself up.'" Additionally, several rookie players made key contributions to the team, some becoming season-long starters. This included defensive tackle Bryant Young, fullback William Floyd, and linebacker Lee Woodall. The 49ers started slowly early in the season. They defeated the Raiders in a game where Jerry Rice broke the NFL record for career touchdowns, but followed with a 24–17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, led by former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
Despite victories over the Rams and Saints, the 49ers offensive line was struggling, having lost four starters to injury, and in Week 5 the Niners were crushed 40–8 by the Eagles. Following the Eagles game, a poll conducted on local sports radio station KNBR showed that an overwhelming majority of 49er fans wanted head coach George Seifert fired.
thumb|200px|A 49ers Super Bowl ring for Super Bowl XXIX.
The game against the Eagles was a turning point for the 49ers despite being a lopsided loss. Steve Young was benched for Elvis Grbac abruptly during a series in the 3rd quarter. Soon after, Young was livid on the sidelines, shouting profanities at head coach George Seifert. Young later admitted "I was looking for a fistfight," and would later say that this incident caused his teammates to respond better to his leadership, as they saw how much he cared about winning ("It galvanized the guys behind Steve," said Brent Jones).
The following week in Detroit, the 49ers trailed the Lions 7–0. After throwing a pass, Young was hit, picked up, and driven into the ground by three Lions defenders. After the hit, Young was screaming with his face dark red in color. He crawled most of the way off of the field before refusing help from the trainers as he limped the remaining way off the field. He miraculously returned to the field two plays later (NFL rules state that after trainers attend to an injured player, that player must leave the field for at least one play (Elvis Grbac came in for that one play and threw an incompletion) to lead the 49ers to a 27–21 victory.
The team rallied around Young to win 10 straight games, including a 21–14 victory over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys. During that span, the 49ers' average margin of victory was nearly 20 points per game; they broke 35+ points scored eleven times, breaking 40 points four of those times.
Throwback uniforms
During the 1994 season, many NFL teams wore "throwback uniforms" for occasional games (after Week 2 of the season) to celebrate the NFL's 75th anniversary (a corresponding diamond 75th Anniversary patch was also worn by all teams). The 49ers chose to wear a version of their 1955 uniforms as throwbacks. This design featured sans-serif block numerals that were outlined and shadowed in black. White pants with thinner red-black-red striping were also worn, along with the old striped red socks (the team later reverted to their regular solid red socks after receiving permission from the NFL to wear the uniforms starting from Week 10 until Super Bowl XXIX). The team's regular 1989–95 gold helmet was worn with this uniform, as there was no logo on the 1955 helmet.
The team first donned the 1955 throwback uniforms during a week 3 match against the Los Angeles Rams and the following week at home versus the Saints. Both games ended in victory (coincidentally, these were also the first two games Deion Sanders played with the 49ers after signing as a free-agent after week 2). The team then suffered an embarrassing 40–8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at home wearing their regular red uniforms with gold pants. (Football statistics site Football Outsiders calculates this 49ers loss to be the second-most lopsided football game they'd tracked from 1994 to 2008.)
For the subsequent three games until their bye week, the team again was scheduled to play games wearing the throwback uniforms with white pants and blockshadow numerals, and all three games resulted in wins. During the following weeks the 49ers embarked on a 10-game winning streak. The team, prompted both by the superstition of coach George Seifert, and the preference of players, petitioned the NFL to wear the throwback uniforms for the rest of the season. The league granted the request and the switch to solid red socks after the bye week marked this occurrence. In all, the team went 15–1 (including the playoffs) wearing the 1955/1994 throwback uniforms. The only loss occurred during the regular season finale at Minnesota, with the team wearing white jerseys and resting most of their starters for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the 49ers went undefeated wearing the red jerseys of the throwback uniform. After winning Super Bowl XXIX however, the team was compelled to revert to wearing its regular 1964-style uniforms (1991 revised design) for the following 1995 season. One year later, the throwback design strongly influenced the 49ers to redesign their uniform set. In 1996, the team revealed a new helmet and uniform design featuring a darker red, shadowed numbers, black accents, and white pants. In 1998, the team changed the pants to a gold color and wore these uniforms through the 2008 season. The 49ers brought back the 1994 white throwback uniform design as an alternate set for the 2018 season. The 1994 red throwback jerseys were brought back by the team as an alternate uniform for the 2021 season, the 49ers franchise's 75th anniversary.
Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 5, 1994 Los Angeles Raiders W 44–14 1–0 Candlestick Park Recap 2 September 11 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–24 1–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 3 September 18 at Los Angeles Rams W 34–19 2–1 Anaheim Stadium Recap 4 September 25 New Orleans Saints W 24–13 3–1 Candlestick Park Recap 5 October 2 Philadelphia Eagles L 8–40 3–2 Candlestick Park Recap 6 October 9 at Detroit Lions W 27–21 4–2 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 7 October 16 at Atlanta Falcons W 42–3 5–2 Georgia Dome Recap 8 October 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 41–16 6–2 Candlestick Park Recap 9Bye 10 November 6 at Washington Redskins W 37–22 7–2 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Recap 11 November 13 Dallas Cowboys W 21–14 8–2 Candlestick Park Recap 12 November 20 Los Angeles Rams W 31–27 9–2 Candlestick Park Recap 13 November 28, 1994 at New Orleans Saints W 35–14 10–2 Louisiana Superdome Recap 14 December 4 Atlanta Falcons W 50–14 11–2 Candlestick Park Recap 15 December 11 at San Diego Chargers W 38–15 12–2 Jack Murphy Stadium Recap 16 December 17, 1994 Denver Broncos W 42–19 13–2 Candlestick Park Recap 17 December 26, 1994 at Minnesota Vikings L 14–21 13–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Raiders
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week One: Los Angeles Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary September 5 6:00 p.m. PDT Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 68,032 63 °F °C; (Clear) wind 14 Red Cashion ABC Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators), Lynn Swann (sideline reporter) Raiders 0 14 0 0 49ers 14 9 0 21 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 69-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
SF – Brent Jones 15-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
Second quarter
Raiders – Tim Brown 7-yard pass from Jeff Hostetler – (Jeff Jaeger kick) 49ers 14–7
SF – Ricky Watters 1 yard rush – (kick failed) 49ers 20–7
Raiders – Napoleon McCallum 1 yard rush – (Jeff Jaeger kick) 49ers 20–14
SF – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal – 49ers 23–14
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
SF – Brent Jones 8-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 30–14
SF – Jerry Rice 23-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 37–14
SF – Jerry Rice 38-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 44–14
Top passers
Raiders - Jeff Hostetler, 17-28-168 yards 1 touchdown 1 interception, 74.7 passer rating
SF - Steve Young, 19-32-308 yards, 4 touchdowns 1 interception, 118.2 passer rating
Top rushers
Raiders -
SF -
Top receivers
Raiders -
SF -
Top tacklers
Raiders -
SF -
Turnovers
Raiders – 2
SF – 1
The Niners led wire to wire as Steve Young opened with two touchdowns. Jerry Rice’s 69-yard score set an NFL record for career touchdowns.
Week 2 at Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Two: San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary September 11 10:00 a.m. PDT Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 79,907 73 °F °C; (Clear) wind 12 Bob McElwee Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), Anthony Muñoz (sideline reporter) 49ers 0 14 0 3 Chiefs 7 2 15 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
KC – Joe Valerio 1 yard pass from Joe Montana – (Lin Elliott kick) Chiefs 7–0
Second quarter
SF – Brent Jones 5-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) Tied 7–7
SF – Marc Logan 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–7
KC – Safety, Derrick Thomas tackled Steve Young in end zone – 49ers 14–9
Third quarter
KC – Keith Cash 8-yard pass from Joe Montana – (J. J. Birden pass from Joe Montana) Chiefs 17–14
KC – Marcus Allen 4-yard rush – (Lin Elliott kick) Chiefs 24–14
Fourth quarter
SF – Doug Brien 19-yard field goal – Chiefs 24–17
Top passers
SF -
KC -
Top rushers
SF -
KC -
Top receivers
SF -
KC -
Top tacklers
SF -
KC -
Turnovers
SF – 4
KC – 0
This was the much-hyped match between Steve Young and Joe Montana, Young's predecessor as the 49ers' quarterback. Montana threw two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Young clawed the Niners to a 14–7 lead but was then sacked for a safety; the Niners also fumbled twice while Young threw two picks. San Francisco sports bars airing the game saw viewers overwhelmingly cheer for Montana's Chiefs over Young and the Niners.
Week 3 at Los Angeles Rams
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Three: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary September 18 1:00 p.m. PDT Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California 56,479 67 °F °C; (Cloudy) wind 8 Dick Hantak Fox Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim Green (color commentator) 49ers 10 7 3 14 Rams 7 3 0 9 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – John Taylor 3-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
Rams – Troy Drayton 4-yard pass from Chris Miller – (Tony Zendejas kick) Tied 7 –7
SF – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal – 49ers 10–7
Second quarter
Rams – Tony Zendejas 25-yard field goal – Tied 10–10
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–10
Third quarter
SF – Doug Brien 47-yard field goal – 49ers 20–10
Fourth quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 1 yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 27–10
Rams – Tony Zendejas 35-yard field goal – 49ers 27–13
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 34–13
Rams – Jerome Bettis 2-yard rush – (pass failed) 49ers 34–19
Top passers
SF -
Rams -
Top rushers
SF -
Rams -
Top receivers
SF -
Rams -
Top tacklers
SF -
Rams -
Turnovers
SF – 1
Rams – 1
This became the final game between the 49ers and Rams in Los Angeles until 2016.
Week 4 vs. New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Four: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary September 25 1:00 p.m. PDT Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 63,971 65 °F °C; (Sunny) wind 10 Ron Blum Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) Saints 3 10 0 0 49ers 3 7 7 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Doug Brien 43-yard field goal – 49ers 3–0
NO – Morten Andersen 22-yard field goal – Tied 3–3
Second quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 28-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 10–3
NO – Irv Smith 17-yard pass from Jim Everett – (Morten Andersen kick) Tied 10–10
NO – Morten Andersen 26-yard field goal – Saints 13–10
Third quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 6-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–13
Fourth quarter
SF – Deion Sanders 74-yard interception return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 24–13
Top passers
NO -
SF -
Top rushers
NO -
SF -
Top receivers
NO -
SF -
Top tacklers
NO -
SF -
Turnovers
NO – 2
SF – 2
Week 5 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Five: Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary October 2 1:00 p.m. PDT Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 64,843 60 °F °C; (Sunny) wind 14 Jerry Markbreit Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) Eagles 14 16 3 7 49ers 0 8 0 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
PHI – Charlie Garner 1 yard rush – (Eddie Murray kick) Eagles 7–0
PHI – Charlie Garner 28-yard rush – (Eddie Murray kick) Eagles 14–0
Second quarter
PHI – Safety, William Fuller tackled Steve Young in end zone – Eagles 16–0
PHI – Victor Bailey 28-yard pass from Randall Cunningham – (Eddie Murray kick) Eagles 23–0
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush – (Brent Jones pass from Steve Young) Eagles 23–8
PHI – Herschel Walker 2-yard rush – (Eddie Murray kick) Eagles 30–8
Third quarter
PHI – Eddie Murray 36-yard field goal – Eagles 33–8
Fourth quarter
PHI – Mark Bavaro 18-yard pass from Randall Cunningham – (Eddie Murray kick) Eagles 40–8
Top passers
PHI -
SF -
Top rushers
PHI -
SF -
Top receivers
PHI -
SF -
Top tacklers
PHI -
SF -
Turnovers
PHI – 0
SF – 3
Steve Young was benched after going 11 of 23 with two interceptions and getting sacked for a safety by William Fuller; Elvis Grbac completed four of eight passes and was sacked twice. The Eagles outgained the Niners in yardage 437 to 189. This was the second worst loss by an eventual Super Bowl champion in NFL history.
Week 6 at Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Six: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary October 9 10:00 a.m. PDT Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan 77,340 indoors Gerry Austin Fox Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color commentator), Kevin Frazier (sideline reporter) 49ers 0 14 7 6 Lions 7 7 0 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
DET – Brett Perriman 33-yard pass from Scott Mitchell – (Jason Hanson kick) Lions 7–0
Second quarter
DET – Barry Sanders 9-yard rush – (Jason Hanson kick) Lions 14–0
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) Lions 14–7
SF – Ricky Watters 4-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) Tied 14–14
Third quarter
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–14
Fourth quarter
SF – Nate Singleton 5-yard pass from Steve Young – (kick failed) 49ers 27–14
DET – Herman Moore 26-yard pass from Scott Mitchell – (Jason Hanson kick) 49ers 27–21
Top passers
SF - Young, 19-25, 152 yards, 1 TD
DET - Mitchell, 18-27, 246 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
SF -
DET -
Top receivers
SF -
DET -
Top tacklers
SF -
DET -
Turnovers
SF – 0
DET – 2
The Lions jumped to a 14–0 lead on a Brett Perriman touchdown catch and a nine-yard score from Barry Sanders. Young was knocked out for one play with a pinched nerve in his leg; he came back in despite heavy pain and rallied the Niners to 27 unanswered points.
Week 7 at Atlanta Falcons
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seven: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary October 16 10:00 a.m. PDT Georgia Dome, Atlanta 67,298 indoors Gordon McCarter Fox Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color commentator), Ron Pitts (sideline reporter) 49ers 14 14 14 0 Falcons 0 3 0 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 10-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
SF – Tim McDonald 49-yard fumble return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
Second quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 1 yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–0
ATL – Norm Johnson 34-yard field goal – 49ers 21–3
SF – Deion Sanders 93-yard interception return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 28–3
Third quarter
SF – Brent Jones 7-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 35–3
SF – Ricky Watters 4-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 42–3
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
SF -
ATL -
Top rushers
SF -
ATL -
Top receivers
SF -
ATL -
Top tacklers
SF -
ATL -
Turnovers
SF – 0
ATL – 6
Ex-Falcon Deion Sanders returned to the Georgia Dome and ran back a 93-yard interception for a touchdown. Steve Young threw four touchdowns while Jeff George threw four interceptions; it was the second six-turnover game for the Falcons that season.
Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Eight: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary October 23 1:00 p.m. PDT Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 62,741 60 °F °C; (Cloudy) wind 8 Howard Roe Fox Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Ron Pitts (color commentator) Buccaneers 0 0 0 16 49ers 7 10 17 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 13-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
Second quarter
SF – Doug Brien 23-yard field goal – 49ers 10–0
SF – Ed McCaffrey 7-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–0
Third quarter
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 24–0
SF – Doug Brien 35-yard field goal – 49ers 27–0
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 34–0
Fourth quarter
TB – Errict Rhett 1 yard run – (Horace Copeland pass from Craig Erickson) 49ers 34–8
SF – Marc Logan 1 yard pass from Elvis Grbac – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 41–8
TB – Lawrence Dawsey 34-yard pass from Craig Erickson – (Jackie Harris pass from Craig Erickson) 49ers 41–16
Top passers
TB -
SF -
Top rushers
TB -
SF -
Top receivers
TB -
SF -
Top tacklers
TB -
SF -
Turnovers
TB – 1
SF – 1
Facing the team with which he entered the NFL, Steve Young completed twenty passes for 255 yards and one score. Ricky Watters and William Floyd rushed for a combined three more touchdowns. In contrast Trent Dilfer completed just seven passes and was benched.
Week 9: Bye
The 1994 San Francisco 49ers season had a bye week, as did all of the NFC West. The team was granted permission from the NFL to wear throwback uniforms for the remainder of the season.
Week 10 at Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins – Game summary November 6 10:00 a.m. PST RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. 54,335 67 °F °C; (Sunny) wind 15 Gerry Austin Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) 49ers 10 7 13 7 Redskins 0 3 3 16 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Doug Brien 32-yard field goal – 49ers 3–0
SF – Brent Jones 69-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 10–0
Second quarter
WSH – Chip Lohmiller 22-yard field goal – 49ers 10–3
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–3
Third quarter
SF – Tim McDonald 73-yard interception return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 24–3
WSH – Chip Lohmiller 23-yard field goal – 49ers 24–6
SF – Dexter Carter 96-yard kickoff return – (kick failed) 49ers 30–6
Fourth quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 28-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 37–6
WSH – Ethan Horton 4-yard pass from John Friesz – (Brian Mitchell run) 49ers 37–14
WSH – Darryl Morrison 32-yard fumble return – (Tydus Winans pass from John Friesz) 49ers 37–22
Top passers
SF -
WSH -
Top rushers
SF -
WSH -
Top receivers
SF -
WSH -
Top tacklers
SF -
WSH -
Turnovers
SF – 2
WSH – 3
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary November 13 1:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 69,014 57 °F °C; (Sunny) wind 8 Bernie Kukar Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) Cowboys 7 0 0 7 49ers 0 7 7 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 4-yard rush (Chris Boniol kick) Cowboys 7–0
Second quarter
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush (Doug O'Brien kick) Tied 7–7
Third quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 57-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 14–7
Fourth quarter
SF – Brent Jones 13-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 21–7
DAL – Emmitt Smith 2-yard rush (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 21–14
Top passers
DAL – Troy Aikman, 23/42, 336 yards, 3 Ints
SF – Steve Young, 12/21, 183 yards, 2 TDs
Top rushers
DAL -
SF -
Top receivers
DAL -
SF -
Top tacklers
DAL -
SF -
Turnovers
DAL – 3
SF – 0
The 49ers posted their first win over the Cowboys since 1990. The game was tied 7–7 until the Niners scored in the final three minutes of the third quarter on a 57-yard Jerry Rice touchdown catch. Following an exchange of four consecutive punts, Troy Aikman was intercepted by Merton Hanks; the ensuing Niners drive took fifteen plays and ended on a Brent Jones touchdown catch just before the two-minute warning. A very late Cowboys touchdown was followed by an unsuccessful onside kick and Niners win.
Week 12 vs. Los Angeles Rams
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Twelve: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary November 20 5:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 62,744 46 °F °C; (Cloudy) wind 5 Red Cashion ESPN Mike Patrick (play-by-play), Joe Theismann (color commentator), Mark Malone (sideline reporter) Rams 3 3 13 8 49ers 14 7 3 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – John Taylor 7-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
Rams – Tony Zendejas 31-yard field goal – 49ers 7–3
SF – Jerry Rice 7-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 14–3
Second quarter
Rams – Tony Zendejas 27-yard field goal – 49ers 14–6
SF – Jerry Rice 5-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 21–6
Third quarter
Rams – Todd Knichen 44-yard rush – (pass failed) 49ers 21–12
SF – Doug Brien 28-yard field goal – 49ers 24–12
Rams – Flipper Anderson 50-yard pass from Chris Miller – (Tony Zendejas kick) 49ers 24–19
Fourth quarter
Rams – Jessie Hester 22-yard pass from Chris Miller – (Jerome Bettis run) Rams 27–24
SF – Jerry Rice 18-yard pass from Steve Young (Doug O'Brien kick) 49ers 31–27
Top passers
Rams -
SF -
Top rushers
Rams -
SF -
Top receivers
Rams -
SF -
Top tacklers
Rams -
SF -
Turnovers
Rams – 0
SF – 1
In their last home meeting with the Rams as a Los Angeles team until 2016, the Niners blew a 21–6 lead and trailed 27–24; Jerry Rice fumbled with 6:05 to go but the Rams had to punt. Steve Young threw on seven of the next ten plays and connected with Rice for the go-ahead score with 1:56 to go; the Rams failed on 4th and 20 and the Niners were winners.
Week 13 at New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Thirteen: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary November 28 6:00 p.m. PST Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 61,304 indoors Gordon McCarter ABC Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators), Lynn Swann (sideline reporter) 49ers 10 10 8 7 Saints 0 14 0 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Doug Brien 40-yard field goal – 49ers 3–0
SF – Brent Jones 4-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 10–0
Second quarter
NO – Mario Bates 3-yard rush – (Morten Andersen kick) 49ers 10–7
SF – John Taylor 4-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–7
NO – Tyrone Hughes 86-yard fumble return – (Morten Andersen kick) 49ers 17–14
SF – Doug Brien 48-yard field goal – 49ers 20–14
Third quarter
SF – Brent Jones 6-yard pass from Steve Young – (Jerry Rice pass from Steve Young) 49ers 28–14
Fourth quarter
SF – Nate Singleton 42-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 35–14
Top passers
SF -
NO -
Top rushers
SF -
NO -
Top receivers
SF -
NO -
Top tacklers
SF -
NO -
Turnovers
SF – 2
NO – 3
Week 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary December 4 1:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 69,014 51 °F °C; (Light Rain) wind 14 Dick Hantak Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) Falcons 7 7 0 0 49ers 3 24 7 16 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Doug Brien 24-yard field goal – 49ers 3–0
ATL – Bert Emanuel 11-yard pass from Jeff George – (Norm Johnson kick) Falcons 7–3
Second quarter
SF – John Taylor 12-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 10–7
SF – Steve Young 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 17–7
ATL – Chuck Smith 36-yard interception return – (Norm Johnson kick) 49ers 17–14
SF – Ricky Watters 2-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 24–14
SF – Doug Brien 36-yard field goal – 49ers 27–14
Third quarter
SF – Steve Young 7-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 34–14
Fourth quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 9-yard pass from Steve Young – (run failed) 49ers 40–14
SF – Doug Brien 32-yard field goal – 49ers 43–14
SF – Adam Walker 2-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 50–14
Top passers
ATL -
SF -
Top rushers
ATL -
SF -
Top receivers
ATL -
SF -
Top tacklers
ATL -
SF -
Turnovers
ATL – 5
SF – 1
Week 15 at San Diego Chargers
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fifteen: San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary December 11 1:00 p.m. PST Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego 62,105 54 °F °C; (Sunny) wind 7 Tom White Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) 49ers 7 14 3 14 Chargers 0 3 6 6 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Brent Jones 10-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
Second quarter
SF – John Taylor 4-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
SF – Ricky Watters 4-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–0
SD – John Carney 50-yard field goal – 49ers 21–3
Third quarter
SD – Natrone Means 12-yard rush – (run failed) 49ers 21–9
SF – Doug Brien 22-yard field goal – 49ers 24–9
Fourth quarter
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 31–9
SD – Tony Martin 2-yard pass from Stan Humphries – (run failed) 49ers 31–15
SF – Deion Sanders 90-yard interception return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 38–15
Top passers
SF -
SD -
Top rushers
SF -
SD -
Top receivers
SF -
SD -
Top tacklers
SF -
SD -
Turnovers
SF – 1
SD – 2
In the preview to Super Bowl XXIX, Steve Young threw two touchdown passes and Deion Sanders recorded a pick six as the 49ers never trailed.
Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Sixteen: Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary December 17 (Sat) 1:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 64,844 47 °F °C; (Cloudy), wind 8 Johnny Grier NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator), Jim Gray (sideline reporter) Broncos 0 6 13 0 49ers 14 14 14 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 12-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
SF – Jerry Rice 23-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
Second quarter
SF – William Floyd 11-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–0
DEN – Jason Elam 28-yard field goal – 49ers 21–3
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 28–3
DEN – Jason Elam 45-yard field goal – 49ers 28–6
Third quarter
DEN – Glyn Milburn 11-yard rush – (Jason Elam kick) 49ers 28–13
SF – Ricky Watters 9-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 35–13
DEN – Derrick Clark 1 yard rush – (run failed) 49ers 35–19
SF – Ricky Watters 65-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 42–19
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays
Top passers
DEN -
SF -
Top rushers
DEN -
SF -
Top receivers
DEN -
SF -
Top tacklers
DEN -
SF -
Turnovers
DEN – 3
SF – 1With their victory, the 49ers clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs for the second time in three years.Oates Bob 1994-12-18 49ers Far Too Deep for Broncos, 42-19 : Pro football: Free agents the key this season as San Francisco clinches home advantage in playoffs. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-18-sp-10345-story.html 2025-02-14 Los Angeles Times en-US
Week 17 at Minnesota Vikings
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seventeen: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary December 26 6:00 p.m. PST Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 63,326 indoors Ron Blum ABC Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators), Lynn Swann (sideline reporter) 49ers 0 7 0 7 Vikings 7 3 11 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
MIN – Dewayne Washington 17-yard fumble return – (Fuad Reveiz kick) Vikings 7–0
Second quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 6-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) Tied 7–7
MIN – Fuad Reveiz 48-yard field goal – Vikings 10–7
Third quarter
MIN – Fuad Reveiz 27-yard field goal – Vikings 13–7
MIN – Terry Allen – (Terry Allen run) Vikings 21–7
Fourth quarter
SF – Ed McCaffrey 1 yard pass from Elvis Grbac – (Doug Brien kick) Vikings 21–14
Top passers
SF -
MIN -
Top rushers
SF -
MIN -
Top receivers
SF -
MIN -
Top tacklers
SF -
MIN -
Turnovers
SF – 4
MIN – 2
Having secured the first playoff seed, the Niners started Steve Young and he completed all but one of thirteen passes before giving way to Elvis Grbac. Ricky Watters fumbled on San Francisco's second drive and the Vikings scored. Needing the game for the NFC Central division title, the Vikings won 21–14.
Standings
Playoffs
RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordStadiumAttendance Wild Card First-round bye NFC Divisional Playoff January 7, 1995 Chicago Bears (6) W 44–15 1–0 Candlestick Park64,644 NFC Championship Game January 15, 1995 Dallas Cowboys (2) W 38–28 2–0 Candlestick Park 69,125 Super Bowl XXIX January 29, 1995 San Diego Chargers (A2) W 49–26 3–0 Joe Robbie Stadium 74,107
Notes:
time a a All times in Pacific Time Zone.
NFC Divisional Playoff
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Divisional Playoff: (#6) Chicago Bears at (#1) San Francisco 49ers – Game summary Saturday January 7, 1995 1:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 64,644 54 °F °C; (rain) wind 26 Howard Roe Fox Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color commentator), Tim Green (sideline reporter) Bears 3 0 0 12 49ers 7 23 7 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
CHI – Kevin Butler 39-yard field goal – Bears 3–0
SF – William Floyd 2-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–3
Second quarter
SF – Brent Jones 8-yard pass from Steve Young (kick failed) 49ers 13–3
SF – William Floyd 4-yard rush (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 20–3
SF – Doug Brien 36-yard field goal 49ers 23–3
SF – Steve Young 6-yard rush (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 30–3
Third quarter
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 37–3
Fourth quarter
CHI – Jim Flanigan 2-yard pass from Erik Kramer (pass failed) 49ers 37–9
SF – Adam Walker 1 yard rush (Doug Brien kick)49ers 44–9
CHI – Lewis Tillman 1 yard rush (pass failed) 49ers 44–15
Top passers
CHI -
SF -
Top rushers
CHI -
SF -
Top receivers
CHI -
SF -
Top tacklers
CHI -
SF -
Turnovers
CHI – 2
SF – 1
After a Brent Jones fumble on their first drive of the game, in which the Bears converted with a field goal by Kevin Butler, the 49ers went on to score 37 unanswered points to rout the Bears 44–15, including scoring 23 in the second quarter (Jones caught an eight-yard score in the second). The Bears would not score until the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach. An endzone brawl erupted late in the second quarter following Steve Young's six-yard rushing score. Shaun Gayle of the Bears pushed Young to the dirt after the score; when Young threw the ball in the ground and in Gayle's face, a fight erupted.
NFC Championship Game
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Championship Game: (#2) Dallas Cowboys at (#1) San Francisco 49ers – Game summary January 15, 1995 1:00 p.m. PST Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 69,125Plaschke Bill Bill Plaschke January 16, 1995 Third Time a Charm for 49ers https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42818923/the_heraldnews/ The Herald-News Passaic, New Jersey B1 Newspapers.com Los Angeles Times 51 °F °C; (Light Rain) wind 13 Dick Hantak Fox Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), Matt Millen (sideline reporter) Cowboys 7 7 7 7 49ers 21 10 7 0 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Eric Davis 44-yard interception return – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
SF – Ricky Watters 29-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
SF – William Floyd 1 yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–0
DAL – Michael Irvin 44-yard pass from Troy Aikman – (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 21–7
Second quarter
SF – Doug Brien 34-yard field goal – 49ers 24–7
DAL – Emmitt Smith 4-yard rush – (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 24–14
SF – Jerry Rice 28-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 31–14
Third quarter
DAL – Emmitt Smith 1 yard rush – (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 31–21
SF – Steve Young 3-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 38–21
Fourth quarter
DAL – Michael Irvin 10-yard pass from Troy Aikman – (Chris Boniol kick)49ers 38–28
Top passers
DAL - Aikman 30-53-380-2-3
SF - Young 13-29-155-2-0
Top rushers
DAL - Smith 20-74-2
SF - Watters 14-72
Top receivers
DAL - Irvin 12-192-2
SF - Jones 3-37
Top tacklers
DAL - R. Jones 6 total
SF - E. Davis 8 total
Turnovers
DAL – 5
SF – 1
Looking to make a statement after being knocked out of the playoffs the previous two years by the Cowboys, the 49ers pounced on turnovers by the Cowboys on their first three possessions to start the game; San Francisco thus broke out to a 21–0 lead midway through the first quarter. It started with an interception by Eric Davis that was returned 44 yards for a touchdown on just the third play of the game; it was followed by a Michael Irvin fumble that set up a 29-yard screen pass by Steve Young to Ricky Watters for a touchdown, and then a fumble on the ensuing kickoff in which the 49ers converted with a one-yard touchdown run by William Floyd. The 49ers went into halftime up 31–14 after a 28-yard pass by Young to Jerry Rice. The Cowboys fought back in the 2nd half, but fell short. The 49ers eliminated the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Cowboys, 38–28, advancing to their 5th Super Bowl and ending the Cowboys’ chance of becoming the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. The last team with a chance of winning three consecutive Super Bowls before the Cowboys were the 49ers themselves. The Cowboys turned the ball over 5 times, which ended up being a major factor in the game. The 49ers also handed Troy Aikman his first ever loss as a starting quarterback in the post season. Young's victory came ironically with almost the same passer rating (84.7) he'd had in his 1992 championship loss to Dallas (84.6). This would end up being the 49ers last win in the NFC Championship until 2012.
Super Bowl XXIX
San Francisco 49ers 1994 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Super Bowl XXIX: (A2) San Diego Chargers vs. (N1) San Francisco 49ers – Game summary January 29, 1995 3:00 p.m. PST Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami 74,107 73 °F °C; (Cloudy) wind 6 Jerry Markbreit ABC Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford (color commentators), Lesley Visser and Lynn Swann (sideline reporters) Chargers 7 3 8 8 49ers 14 14 14 7 Pro-Football-Reference.com San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 476
First quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 44-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 7–0
SF – Ricky Watters 51-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 14–0
SD – Natrone Means 1 yard rush – (John Carney kick) 49ers 14–7
Second quarter
SF – William Floyd 5-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 21–7
SF – Ricky Watters 8-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 28–7
SD – John Carney 31-yard field goal – 49ers 28–10
Third quarter
SF – Ricky Watters 9-yard rush – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 35–10
SF – Jerry Rice 15-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 42–10
SD – Andre Coleman 98-yard kickoff return – (*Mark Seay pass from Stan Humphries) 49ers 42–18
Fourth quarter
SF – Jerry Rice 7-yard pass from Steve Young – (Doug Brien kick) 49ers 49–18
SD – Tony Martin 30-yard pass from Stan Humphries – (Alfred Pupunu pass from Stan Humphries) 49ers 49–26
Top passers
SD - Humphries 24-49-275-1-2
SF - Young 24-36-325-6-0
Top rushers
SD -
SF -
Top receivers
SD -
SF -
Top tacklers
SD -
SF -
Turnovers
SD – 3
SF – 0
Steve Young set a Super Bowl record by throwing six touchdown passes in a game. The record had previously been held by his predecessor Joe Montana, who threw for a then-record five touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIV (ironically against one of San Diego's AFC West rivals).
(*)The Chargers became the first team to have a successful two-point conversion in the Super Bowl. This was the first season in which the NFL allowed 2-point conversions (a rule in place in the American Football League in San Diego's first ten seasons), and the Chargers actually had two in the game.
With their first Super Bowl win since 1989, the 49ers secured their 5th Super Bowl title in franchise history, which was the most by 1 team in NFL history until it was tied by the Dallas Cowboys in 1995, and has since been surpassed by the Pittsburgh Steelers & the New England Patriots who won their 6th Super Bowl's in 2008 & 2018 respectively. And as of 2025, this remains the last time the 49ers had won the Super Bowl as they have been 0-3 in the Super Bowl since.
Media
Pre season Local TV
ChannelPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)KPIX-TV
Local Radio
Flagship stationPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter (s)KGO–AMJoe StarkeyWayne Walker
1995 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl
1995 Pro Bowl
Merton Hanks, FS, NFC Pro Bowlers
Brent Jones, TE, NFC Pro Bowlers
Tim McDonald, SS, NFC Pro Bowlers
Bart Oates, C, NFC Pro Bowlers
Jerry Rice, WR, NFC Pro Bowlers
Deion Sanders, CB, NFC Pro Bowlers
Jesse Sapolu, G, NFC Pro Bowlers
Dana Stubblefield, DT, NFC Pro Bowlers
Ricky Watters, RB, NFC Pro Bowlers
Steve Young, QB, NFC Pro Bowlers
San Francisco 49ers 2014 Media Guide San Francisco 49ers 531
Awards and honors
Led NFL with 66 Touchdowns
Led NFL with 505 points scored
Jerry Rice, NFL leader, Receiving Yards (1,499)
Jerry Rice, NFC Pro Bowl
Deion Sanders, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
Deion Sanders, Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year Award
Deion Sanders, NFC Pro Bowl
Bryant Young, Defensive End, UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year
Steve Young, led NFL, 35 Touchdown Passes
Steve Young, NFL Passing Leader, 112.8 Passer Rating
Steve Young, NFC Pro Bowl
Steve Young, All-Pro selection
Steve Young, Super Bowl XXIX MVP
Steve Young, NFL MVP
Steve Young, PFWA NFL MVP
Steve Young, NEA NFL MVP
Steve Young, UPI NFC Player of the Year
Steve Young, Bert Bell Awardhttp://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm Bert Bell Award – Professional Player of the Year: Past Recipients Maxwell Football Club August 3, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090619081037/http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm June 19, 2009
Milestones
Jerry Rice, 100 reception season (Rice finished the season with 112 receptions)NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 440
Jerry Rice, 1,000-yard receiving season
Jerry Rice surpassed Jim Brown's all time touchdown record of 126https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_td_career.htm NFL Touchdowns Career Leaders Pro-Football-Reference.com in Week 1, scoring three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Raiders on Monday Night Football.https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/jerry-rice Rice, Jerry 1962– Encyclopedia.com
References
External links
1994 49ers on Pro Football Reference
Category:San Francisco 49ers seasons
San Francisco 49ers
Category:NFC West championship seasons
Category:National Football Conference championship seasons
Category:Super Bowl champion seasons
San
Category:1994 in San Francisco