1981 San Francisco 49ers season

1981 San Francisco 49ers season
OwnerEdward J. DeBartolo Jr.
General managerBill Walsh
Head coachBill Walsh
Defensive coordinatorChuck Studley
Home stadiumCandlestick Park
Results
Record13–3
Division place1st NFC West
PlayoffsWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Giants) 38–24
Won NFC Championship
(vs. Cowboys) 28–27
Won Super Bowl XVI
(vs. Bengals) 26–21
Uniform

The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 36th overall and their third under head coach Bill Walsh.

The 49ers were 13–3 in the regular season for their first winning season in five years and first playoff appearance in nine years. The franchise's most successful season to date, it was considered to be "the birth of a dynasty",[1] when the 49ers began a decade of dominance over much of the NFL. The 49ers drew an average home attendance of 54,398 in the 1981 season.

The 49ers won Super Bowl XVI, defeating the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals 26–21. It was the first of five Super Bowl victories in franchise history, all within the next thirteen seasons. From 1981 to 1997, the 49ers would have thirteen NFC West titles, eight NFC top seeds, and seven seasons with the NFL's best regular season record.

Third-year quarterback Joe Montana began the 1981 season as the starter, and produced two fourth-quarter comeback victories. His signature game of the season was the NFC Championship Game, which culminated in "The Catch", a last-minute touchdown pass from Montana to Dwight Clark, propelling the 49ers to victory over Dallas and a berth in their first Super Bowl. The 49ers were undefeated in their first five Super Bowls.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled A Very Special Team; it was narrated by John Facenda. On March 23, 2007, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1981 San Francisco 49ers, with team commentary from Dwight Clark, Ronnie Lott and Randy Cross, and narrated by Gene Hackman.

Offseason

NFL draft

A turning point for the franchise was the drafting of safety Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California, later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In addition, they also drafted cornerback Eric Wright from Missouri and safety Carlton Williamson from Pittsburgh.

Main article: 1981 NFL draft
1981 San Francisco 49ers draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 8 Ronnie Lott CB USC
2 36 John Harty DT Iowa from Washington
Traded to the Bears
40 Eric Wright CB Missouri from Chicago
3 65 Carlton Williamson SS Pittsburgh
4 Traded to the Cowboys
5 121 Lynn Thomas CB Pittsburgh
122 Arrington Jones RB Winston-Salem State from Chicago
6 147 Pete Kugler DT Penn State
7 Traded to the Eagles
8 203 Garry White RB Minnesota
9 Traded to the Bengals
10 Traded to the Colts
11 286 Ron DeBose TE UCLA
12 313 Major Ogilvie RB Alabama
322 Joe Adams QB Tennessee State from Pittsburgh
Source:[2]

Training camp

The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Red Morten Park in Redwood City, California.

Personnel

Staff

1981 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head Coach – Bill Walsh

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Al Vermeil

Roster

1981 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Source:[3][4]

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
1 August 5 at Seattle Seahawks 7:30 p.m. PDT KPIX-TV W 27–24 (OT) 1–0 Kingdome
56,958
 Recap
2 August 15 San Diego Chargers 6:00 p.m. PDT KPIX-TV L 28–31 1–1 Candlestick Park
41,667
 Recap
3 August 22 Seattle Seahawks 6:00 p.m. PDT KPIX-TV W 24–22 2–1 Candlestick Park
37,563
 Recap
4 August 29 at Oakland Raiders 6:00 p.m. PDT KPIX-TV L 7–21 2–2 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
51,192
 Recap

Preseason Game summaries

Week P1 (Wednesday, August 5, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
49ers (1–0) 7 7 37327
Seahawks (0–1) 7 3 014024

at The Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

  • Date: August 5, 1981
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 56,958
  • TV announcers (KPIX-TV): Wayne Walker (play-by-play)
Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SEA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
49ers Game Statistics Seahawks
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Week P2 (Saturday, August 15, 1981): vs. San Diego Chargers

Preseason Week 2: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers (1–1) 0 7 71731
49ers (1–1) 0 7 71428

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

  • Date: August 15, 1981
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 41,667
  • TV announcers (KPIX-TV): Wayne Walker (play-by-play)
Team Category Player Statistics
SD Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Chargers Game Statistics 49ers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Week P3 (Saturday, August 22, 1981) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Week 3: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks (0–3) 17 0 0017
49ers (2–1) 7 0 71024

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

  • Date: August 22, 1981
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 37,563
  • TV announcers (KPIX-TV): Wayne Walker (play-by-play)
Team Category Player Statistics
SEA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Seahawks Game Statistics 49ers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Week P4 (Saturday, August 29, 1981): at Oakland Raiders

Preseason Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (2–2) 0 0 077
Raiders (2–2) 14 7 0021

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California

  • Date: August 29, 1981
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game attendance: 51,192
  • TV announcers (KPIX-TV): Wayne Walker (play-by-play)
Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
OAK Passing
Rushing
Receiving
49ers Game Statistics Raiders
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Regular season

With the offense in good shape, Walsh and the 49ers focused on overhauling the defense in 1981. Walsh took the highly unusual step of overhauling his entire secondary with rookies and untested players, bringing on board Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson and giving Dwight Hicks a prominent role. He also acquired veteran linebacker Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds and veteran defensive lineman and sack specialist Fred Dean.

These new additions, when added to existing defensive mainstays like Keena Turner, turned the 49ers into a dominant team. After a 1–2 start, the 49ers won all but one of their final games to finish with a 13–3 record, easily the best record in the team's history. Additionally, the 49ers defense yielded more than 20 points in only three games. Dean and Hicks made the Pro Bowl. The 49ers selection of Lott in the 1981 NFL draft proved to be a seminal one. In addition to making the NFC Pro Bowl roster, Lott was voted First-Team All-Pro and received nods from all 5 newspapers that voted, a significant honor for a rookie. Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor was the only other rookie from the 1981 NFL draft to achieve this unanimous selection to the First Team All-Pro unit.

Led by Montana, the unusual offense was centered around the short passing game, which Walsh used as ball control. Both Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon had excellent years receiving; Clark as the possession receiver, and Solomon as more of a deep threat. The 49ers running game, however, was among the weakest for any champion in NFL history. Ricky Patton led the 49ers with only 543 yards rushing. The 49ers' most valuable running back, however, might have been Earl Cooper, whose strength was as a pass-catching back (he had 51 catches during the season).

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
1 September 6 at Detroit Lions 10:00 a.m. PDT CBS L 17–24 0–1 Pontiac Silverdome 63,710 Recap
2 September 13 Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m. PDT CBS W 28–17 1–1 Candlestick Park 49,520 Recap
3 September 20 at Atlanta Falcons 10:00 a.m. PDT CBS L 17–34 1–2 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 56,653 Recap
4 September 27 New Orleans Saints 1:00 p.m. PDT CBS W 21–14 2–2 Candlestick Park 44,433 Recap
5 October 4 at Washington Redskins 10:00 a.m. PDT CBS W 30–17 3–2 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 51,843 Recap
6 October 11 Dallas Cowboys 1:00 p.m. PDT CBS W 45–14 4–2 Candlestick Park 57,574 Recap
7 October 18 at Green Bay Packers
(at Milwaukee) 		11:00 a.m. PDT CBS W 13–3 5–2 Milwaukee County Stadium 50,171 Recap
8 October 25 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 p.m. PST CBS W 20–17 6–2 Candlestick Park 59,190 Recap
9 November 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers 10:00 a.m. PST CBS W 17–14 7–2 Three Rivers Stadium 52,878 Recap
10 November 8 Atlanta Falcons 1:00 p.m. PST CBS W 17–14 8–2 Candlestick Park 59,127 Recap
11 November 15 Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. PST NBC L 12–15 8–3 Candlestick Park 52,455 Recap
12 November 22 at Los Angeles Rams 1:00 p.m. PST CBS W 33–31 9–3 Anaheim Stadium 63,456 Recap
13 November 29 New York Giants 1:00 p.m. PST CBS W 17–10 10–3 Candlestick Park 57,186 Recap
14 December 6 at Cincinnati Bengals 10:00 a.m. PDT CBS W 21–3 11–3 Riverfront Stadium 56,796 Recap
15 December 13 Houston Oilers 1:00 p.m. PST NBC W 28–6 12–3 Candlestick Park 55,707 Recap
16 December 20 at New Orleans Saints 11:00 a.m. PST CBS W 21–17 13–3 Louisiana Superdome 43,639 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Regular Season Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): at Detroit Lions

[5]

Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (0–1) 0 3 01417
Lions (1–0) 0 10 01424

at Pontiac Silverdome • Pontiac, Michigan

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 18/28, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Ricky Patton 15 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Solomon 8 REC, 94 YDS, 1 TD
DET Passing Gary Danielson 16/27, 197 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Billy Sims 21 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Billy Sims 5 REC, 66 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers +4
  • Over/Under: 40.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Lions
19 First downs 21
33–121 Rushes–yards 30–127
195 Passing yards 196
18–28–1 Passes 16–27–1
4–19 Sacked–yards 4–28
176 Net passing yards 168
297 Total yards 295
105 Return yards 47
3–33.7 Punts 4–46.2
2–2 Fumbles–lost 1–1
8–54 Penalties–yards 7–65
31:56 Time of possession 28:04

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 18/28, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • Rushing: Patton – 15 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 7 CAR, 23 YDS; Cooper – 9 CAR, 22 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 4 YDS
  • Receiving: Solomon – 8 REC, 94 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 5 REC, 57 YDS; Cooper – 3 REC, 11 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 33 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Jones – 3 KR, 43 YDS; Patton – 1 KR, 0 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Hicks – 2 PR, 46 YDS; Solomon – 2 PR, 16 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 3 PUNTS, 101 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Reynolds – 1 INT, 0 YDS
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 32

Week 2 (Sunday, September 13, 1981): vs. Chicago Bears

[8]

Week 2: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears (0–2) 0 10 7017
49ers (1–1) 7 7 7728

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

  • Date: September 13, 1981
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); wind 12
  • Game attendance: 49,520
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom Brookshier (play-by-play) and Johnny Morris (color commentator)
  • [9][7]
Team Category Player Statistics
CHI Passing Vince Evans 19/33, 216 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Walter Payton 27 CAR, 97 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Rickey Watts 5 REC, 74 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 20/32, 287 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Ricky Patton 14 CAR, 67 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Dwight Clark 6 REC, 81 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers Pick
  • Over/Under: 41.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
Bears Game Statistics 49ers
18 First downs 20
36–123 Rushes–yards 32–125
216 Passing yards 287
19–33–1 Passes 20–32–0
1–0 Sacked–yards 0–0
216 Net passing yards 287
339 Total yards 412
106 Return yards 110
6–41.5 Punts 5–38.0
2–2 Fumbles–lost 2–2
4–16 Penalties–yards 3–25
25:16 Time of possession 34:44

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 20/32, 287 YDS, 3 TDs
  • Rushing: Patton – 14 CAR, 67 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 14 CAR, 67 YDS; Easley – 3 CAR, 5 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, –3 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 6 REC, 81 YDS; Solomon – 5 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 4 REC, 28 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 34 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 2 REC, 19 YDS, 1 TD; Elliott – 1 REC, 12 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lott – 3 KR, 55 YDS; Davis – 1 KR, 0 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 4 PR, 40 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 7 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 190 YDS
  • Kicking: Bahr – 4/4 PAT, 0/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 8 YDS
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 39, 48

Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): at Atlanta Falcons

[10]

Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (1–2) 0 10 0717
Falcons (3–0) 17 7 10034

at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 24/34, 274 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Earl Cooper 9 CAR, 40 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 9 REC, 77 YDS
ATL Passing Steve Bartkowski 13/22, 208 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing William Andrews 12 CAR, 85 YDS
Receiving William Andrews 4 REC, 37 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers +9
  • Over/Under: 41.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Falcons
23 First downs 18
30–113 Rushes–yards 34–163
274 Passing yards 222
24–34–2 Passes 14–23–0
1–1 Sacked–yards 2–22
273 Net passing yards 200
386 Total yards 363
110 Return yards 199
3–35.3 Punts 3–36.7
1–1 Fumbles–lost 2–0
3–25 Penalties–yards 4v50
32:08 Time of possession 27:52

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 24/34, 274 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
  • Rushing: Cooper – 9 CAR, 40 YDS; Patton – 12 CAR, 30 YDS; Easley – 4 CAR, 18 YDS; Elliott – 4 CAR, 17 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 9 REC, 77 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 55 YDS, 1 TD; Solomon – 3 REC, 36 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 3 REC, 29 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 34 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 16 YDS; Hofer – 1 REC, 22 YDS; Peets – 1 REC, 5 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lott – 3 KR, 56 YDS; Ring – 1 KR, 23 YDS; Wilson – 1 KR, 22 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 3 PUNTS, 160 YDS
  • Kicking: Bahr – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 24 (Blocked)

Joe Montana was intercepted twice in 34 passes (24 completed) as the Niners fell to the Falcons for the eleventh time in the last eight seasons.

Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. New Orleans Saints

[12]

Week 4: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints (1–3) 7 0 0714
49ers (2–2) 0 7 7721

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
NO Passing Dave Wilson 11/22, 180 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing George Rogers 25 CAR, 115 YDS
Receiving Wes Chandler 4 REC, 72 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 16/22, 175 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Johnny Davis 11 CAR, 48 YDS
Receiving Charle Young 3 REC, 41 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers –6
  • Over/Under: 43.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
Saints Game Statistics 49ers
18 First downs 15
37–163 Rushes–yards 39–146
250 Passing yards 175
21–38–2 Passes 16–22–1
0–0 Sacked–yards 1–7
250 Net passing yards 168
413 Total yards 314
192 Return yards 102
6–40.2 Punts 9–45.1
3–2 Fumbles–lost 1–1
11–106 Penalties–yards 8–79
30:44 Time of possession 29:16

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 16/22, 175 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • Rushing: Davis – 11 CAR, 48 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 14 CAR, 42 YDS; Hofer – 4 CAR, 19 YDS; Montana – 3 CAR, 17 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 10 YDS; Easley – 1 CAR, 5 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 5 YDS
  • Receiving: Young – 3 REC, 41 YDS; Clark – 3 REC, 30 YDS; Cooper – 3 REC, 6 YDS; Solomon – 2 REC, 80 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 2 REC, 8 YDS; Hofer – 2 REC, 7 YDS; Lawrence – 1 REC, 3 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 1 KR, 26 YDS; Lott – 1 KR, 0 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 3 PR, 14 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 10 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 9 PUNTS, 406 YDS
  • Kicking: Bahr – 3/3 PAT
  • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 26 YDS, 1 TD; Wright – 1 INT, 26 YDS

Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at Washington Redskins

[14]

Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (3–2) 14 10 6030
Redskins (0–5) 0 3 01417

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 15/28, 193 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing Ricky Patton 9 CAR, 43 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Lenvil Elliott 6 REC, 69 YDS
WSH Passing Joe Theismann 10/22, 123 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing John Riggins 13 CAR, 47 YDS
Receiving Joe Washington 8 REC, 49 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers +2
  • Over/Under: 43.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Redskins
16 First downs 19
35–128 Rushes–yards 23–83
193 Passing yards 241
15–28–1 Passes 22–46–4
2–25 Sacked–yards 2–20
168 Net passing yards 221
296 Total yards 304
176 Return yards 224
5–40.0 Punts 5–40.4
1–1 Fumbles–lost 4–2
3–27 Penalties–yards 7–50
29:17 Time of possession 30:43

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 15/28, 193 YDS, 1 INT
  • Rushing: Patton – 9 CAR, 43 YDS, 1 TD; Davis – 13 CAR, 37 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 6 CAR, 21 YDS; Lawrence – 2 CAR, 14 YDS; Elliott – 3 CAR, 12 YDS; Easley – 2 CAR, 1 YD
  • Receiving: Elliott – 6 REC, 69 YDS; Solomon – 5 REC, 77 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Clark – 1 REC, 21 YDS; Cooper – 1 CAR, 2 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 41 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 200 YDS
  • Kicking: Bahr – 3/3 PAT, 1/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Hicks – 2 INTs, 104 YDS, 1 TD; McColl – 1 INT, 22 YDS; Lott – 1 INT, 0 YDS
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 25

Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Dallas Cowboys

[16]

Week 6: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys (4–2) 0 7 0714
49ers (4–2) 21 3 14745

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
DAL Passing Danny White 8/16, 60 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Tony Dorsett 9 CAR, 21 YDS
Receiving Ron Springs 3 REC, 9 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 19/29, 279 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Paul Hofer 11 CAR, 40 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Solomon 5 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers +5
  • Over/Under: 45.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
Cowboys Game Statistics 49ers
10 First downs 23
21–83 Rushes–yards 46–150
135 Passing yards 304
12–29–2 Passes 20–33–0
3–26 Sacked–yards 1–14
109 Net passing yards 290
192 Total yards 440
138 Return yards 110
8–39.5 Punts 6–46.2
3–2 Fumbles–lost 4–1
5–40 Penalties–yards 4–28
25:53 Time of possession 34:07

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 19/29, 279 YDS, 2 TDs; Solomon – 1/1, 25 YDS; Benjamin – 0/3, 0 YDS
  • Rushing: Hofer – 11 CAR, 40 YDS, 1 TD; Davis – 8 CAR, 28 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 8 CAR, 28 YDS; Lawrence – 6 CAR, 27 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 7 CAR, 16 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 9 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 2 YDS
  • Receiving: Solomon – 5 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 4 REC, 135 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 3 REC, 35 YDS; Hofer – 3 REC, 22 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 22 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 12 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 4 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 49 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 5 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 3 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 6 PUNTS, 277 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 6/6 PAT, 1/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Lott – 2 INT, 53 YDS, 1 TD
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 40

Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981) at Green Bay Packers

[18]

Week 7: San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (5–2) 0 3 7313
Packers (2–5) 0 3 003

at Milwaukee County Stadium • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 23/32, 220 YDS
Rushing Johnny Davis 16 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Dwight Clark 6 REC, 55 YDS
GB Passing Lynn Dickey 11/18, 156 YDS
Rushing Gerry Ellis 7 CAR, 50 YDS
Receiving Gerry Ellis 5 REC, 65 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers –1
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Packers
21 First downs 13
47–126 Rushes–yards 19–78
220 Passing yards 193
23–32–0 Passes 14–24–1
1–9 Sacked–yards 4–30
211 Net passing yards 163
337 Total yards 241
85 Return yards 101
7–35.9 Punts 7–40.0
2–1 Fumbles–lost 1–0
7–35 Penalties–yards 4–35
37:41 Time of possession 22:19

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 23/32, 220 YDS
  • Rushing: Davis – 16, CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 12 CAR, 38 YDS; Patton – 7 CAR, 15 YDS; Easley – 3 CAR, 3 YDS; Hofer – 8 CAR, 3 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 2 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 6 REC, 55 YDS; Hofer – 5 REC, 44 YDS; Solomon – 4 REC, 49 YDS; Patton – 3 REC, 41 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 19 YDS; Lawrence – 1 REC, 5 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 4 YDS; Davis – 1 REC, 3 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 21 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 3 PR, 24 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 14 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 7 PUNTS, 251 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 1/1 PAT, 2/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 26 YDS

Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): vs. Los Angeles Rams

[20]

Week 8: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams (4–4) 0 10 7017
49ers (6–2) 14 3 3020

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
LA Passing Pat Haden 20/39, 310 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Wendell Tyler 22 CAR, 90 YDS
Receiving Preston Dennard 6 REC, 119 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 18/32, 287 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Paul Hofer 8 CAR, 23 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 8 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers –1
  • Over/Under: 46.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
Rams Game Statistics 49ers
25 First downs 14
37–145 Rushes–yards 28–60
310 Passing yards 287
20–39–1 Passes 18–32–0
6–54 Sacked–yards 3–22
256 Net passing yards 265
401 Total yards 325
267 Return yards 90
5–43.0 Punts 10–43.3
0–0 Fumbles–lost 0–0
7–39 Penalties–yards 5–45
33:18 Time of possession 26:42

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 18/32, 287 YDS, 2 TDs
  • Rushing: Hofer – 8 CAR, 23 YDS; Davis – 6 CAR, 14 YDS; Patton – 6 CAR, 13 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 7 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 3 YDS; Easley – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 8 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD; Solomon – 5 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 2 REC, 57 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 29 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 8 YDS; Wilson – 1 REC, 5 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 61 YDS; Ramson – 1 KR, 12 YDS; Wilson – 1 KR,8 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 10 PUNTS, 433 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 2/2 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 0 YDS

Week 9 (Sunday, November 1, 1981): at Pittsburgh Steelers

[22]

Week 9: San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (7–2) 0 10 0717
Steelers (5–4) 0 0 14014

at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 1, 1981
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); wind 8
  • Game attendance: 52,878
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (CBS): Vin Scully (play-by-play) and Hank Stram (color commentator)
  • [23][7]
Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 22/37, 205 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Walt Easley 14 CAR, 47 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Dwight Clark 7 REC, 80 YDS
PIT Passing Terry Bradshaw 12/23, 125 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Franco Harris 17 CAR, 104 YDS
Receiving Frank Pollard 3 REC, 42 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers +5
  • Over/Under: 45.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Steelers
25 First downs 16
39–130 Rushes–yards 28–144
210 Passing yards 125
23–38–2 Passes 12–23–3
1–10 Sacked–yards 0–0
200 Net passing yards 125
330 Total yards 269
86 Return yards 192
5–45.8 Punts 2–48.5
0–0 Fumbles–lost 3–3
6–55 Penalties–yards 8–45
34:16 Time of possession 25:34

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 22/37, 205 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs; Easley – 1/1, 5 YDS
  • Rushing: Easley – 14 CAR, 47 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 13 CAR, 35 YDS; Hofer – 5 CAR, 26 YDS; Montana – 4 CAR, 12 YDS; Cooper – 3 CAR, 10 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 7 REC, 80 YDS; Cooper – 5 REC, 53 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 13 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 3 REC, 12 YDS; Solomon – 2 REC, 33 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 17 YDS; Hofer – 1 REC,2 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Wilson – 2 KR, 37 YDS; Ring – 1 KR, 21 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 229 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG
  • Interceptions: Williamson – 1 INT, 28 YDS; Hicks – 1 INT, 0 YDS; Wright – 1 INT, 0 YDS
  • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 37 (Blocked)

Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): vs. Atlanta Falcons

[24]

Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons (5–5) 0 0 7714
49ers (8–2) 0 10 0717

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
ATL Passing Steve Bartkowski 20/42, 236 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing William Andrews 18 CAR, 61 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Alfred Jenkins 7 REC, 134 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 16/30, 223 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Walt Easley 15 CAR, 31 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 7 REC, 128 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers +2½
  • Over/Under: 44.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
Falcons Game Statistics 49ers
19 First downs 17
26–76 Rushes–yards 34–82
236 Passing yards 223
20–42–3 Passes 16–30–1
3–20 Sacked–yards 2–18
216 Net passing yards 205
292 Total yards 287
126 Return yards 162
8–44.9 Punts 10–42.0
2–0 Fumbles–lost 4–0
8–82 Penalties–yards 11–74
29:29 Time of possession 30:31

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 16/30, 223 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
  • Rushing: Easley – 15 CAR, 31 YDS; Patton – 9 CAR, 26 YDS; Solomon – 3 CAR, 11 YDS; Clark – 1 CAR, 9 YDS; Cooper – 3 CAR, 4 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 1 YD; Hofer – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
  • Receiving: Clark – 7 REC, 128 YDS; Solomon – 3 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 2 REC, 9 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 9 YDS, 1 TD; Hofer – 1 REC, 21 YDS; Cooper – 1 REC, 0 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Ring – 1 KR, 29 YDS; Hicks – 1 KR, 22 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Hicks – 4 PR, 36 YDS; Solomon – 3 PR, 15 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 10 PUNTS, 420 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/1 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Hicks – 2 INT, 37 YDS; Martin – 1 INT, 0 YDS

Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns

[26]

Week 11: Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns (5–6) 2 3 01015
49ers (8–3) 0 6 6012

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
CLE Passing Brian Sipe 16/33, 180 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Mike Pruitt 18 CAR, 76 YDS
Receiving Greg Pruitt 4 REC, 33 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 24/42, 213 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing Walt Easley 16 CAR, 59 YDS
Receiving Paul Hofer 7 REC, 64 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers –3
  • Over/Under: 43.0 (under)
  • Time of Game:
Browns Game Statistics 49ers
14 First downs 21
26–106 Rushes–yards 35–118
180 Passing yards 213
16–33–1 Passes 24–42–2
2–19 Sacked–yards 3–26
161 Net passing yards 187
267 Total yards 305
165 Return yards 84
5–42.4 Punts 4–36.0
1–1 Fumbles–lost 1–0
7–55 Penalties–yards 4–29
24:48 Time of possession 35:12

Individual stats

The Niners’ winning streak ended in a battle of six combined field goals. Opposing quarterbacks Brian Sipe and Montana combined for 393 yards, three interceptions, and an average passer rating of 56.

Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Los Angeles Rams

[28]

Week 12: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (9–3) 3 7 17633
Rams (5–7) 0 17 7731

at Anaheim Stadium • Anaheim, California

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 19/30, 283 YDS ,1 INT
Rushing Johnny Davis 8 CAR, 23 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Freddie Solomon 5 REC, 124 YDS
LA Passing Pat Haden 9/13, 122 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing Wendell Tyler 23 CAR, 97 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Preston Dennard 5 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: 49ers +3
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Rams
19 First downs 27
28–71 Rushes–yards 47–203
283 Passing yards 208
19–30–1 Passes 18–32–1
3–24 Sacked–yards 1–0
259 Net passing yards 208
330 Total yards 411
220 Return yards 91
2–44.0 Punts 4–44.8
1–1 Fumbles–lost 4–1
5–51 Penalties–yards 7–71
25:00 Time of possession 35:00

Individual stats

  • Passing: Montana – 19/30, 283 YDS, 1 INT
  • Rushing: Davis – 8 CAR, 23 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 8 CAR, 20 YDS; Hofer – 5 CAR, 16 YDS; Lawrence – 2 CAR, 9 YDS; Cooper – 4 CAR, 4 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, –1 YDS
  • Receiving: Solomon – 5 REC, 124 YDS; Cooper – 5 REC, 55 YDS; Clark – 4 REC, 59 YDS; Hofer – 2 REC, 20 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 18 YDS; Shumann – 1 REC, 7 YDS
  • Kickoff Returns: Lawrence – 3 KR, 138 YDS, 1 TD; Ring – 2 KR, 45 YDS
  • Punt Returns: Hicks – 2 PR, 12 YDS
  • Punting: Miller – 2 PUNTS, 88 YDS
  • Kicking: Wersching – 3/3 PAT, 4/4 FG
  • Sacks:
  • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 25 YDS, 1 TD

The game lead tied or changed eight times as the Rams wound up using quarterbacks Dan Pastorini and Pat Haden while running back Mike Guman threw a seven-yard touchdown to Preston Dennard. Amos Lawrence opened the third quarter by scoring on the opening kickoff and Ronnie Lott scored after intercepting Pastorini.

Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): vs. New York Giants

[30]

Week 13: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants (6–7) 0 3 0710
49ers (10–3) 7 7 0317

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
NYG Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Giants Game Statistics 49ers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession 
|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

Fourth quarter

|stats= Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

  • NYG -
  • SF -

Turnovers

  • NYG – 5
  • SF – 0

}}

Week 14 at Cincinnati Bengals

[32]

Week Fourteen: San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 7 0721
Bengals 0 3 003

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

Game information

Week 15 vs. Houston Oilers

[33]

Week Fifteen: Houston Oilers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 0 066
49ers 0 0 21728

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Game information

Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981): at New Orleans Saints

[34]

Week 16: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers (13–3) 7 7 0721
Saints (4–12) 14 0 3017

at Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana

Team Category Player Statistics
SF Passing Joe Montana 9/11, 106 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Bill Ring 11 CAR, 71 YDS
Receiving Freddie Solomon 5 REC, 38 YDS, 1 TD
NO Passing Archie Manning 14/21, 110 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing George Rogers 30 CAR, 107 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Toussaint Tyler 5 REC, 21 YDS
  • Point spread: 49ers –7
  • Over/Under: 37.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
49ers Game Statistics Saints
19 First downs 15
31–154 Rushes–yards 36–133
195 Passing yards 110
17–25–1 Passes 14–23–1
0–0 Sacked–yards 2–21
195 Net passing yards 89
349 Total yards 222
74 Return yards 118
4–46.0 Punts 4–34.8
3–2 Fumbles–lost 1–0
5–45 Penalties–yards 3–30
26:03 Time of possession 33:57

Individual stats

Standings

NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10-2 357 250 W5
Atlanta Falcons 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 426 355 L3
Los Angeles Rams 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 303 351 L1
New Orleans Saints 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 207 378 L4

Final statistics

Regular Season Stats

Passing

Passing
Player Pos G GS QBrec Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Lng Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Rate Sk Yds NY/A ANY/A Sk% 4QC GWD
Montana QB 16 16 13–3–0 311 488 63.7 3565 19 3.9 12 2.5 78 7.3 7.0 11.5 222.8 88.4 26 193 5.1 6.56 6.25 2 2
Benjamin QB 4 0 15 26 57.7 171 1 3.8 1 3.8 27 6.6 5.6 11.4 42.8 74.4 3 30 10.3 4.86 4.00 1 1
Solomon WR 15 15 1 1 100.0 25 0 0.0 0 0.0 25 25.0 25.0 25.0 1.7 118.7 0 0 0.0 25.00 25.00
Easley RB 12 1 1 1 100.0 5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5 5.0 5.0 5.0 0.4 87.5 0 0 0.0 5.00 5.00
Clark WR 16 16 0 1 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.4 39.6 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00
Team Total 16 13–3–0 328 517 63.4 3766 20 3.9 13 2.5 78 7.3 6.9 11.5 235.4 87.7 29 223 5.3 6.49 6.15 3 3
Opp Total 16 273 514 53.1 3135 16 3.1 27 5.3 67 6.1 4.36 11.5 195.9 60.2 36 290 6.5 5.2 3.5

Rushing

Rushing
Player Pos G GS Att Yds TD Lng Y/A Y/G A/G
Patton RB 16 15 152 543 4 28 3.6 33.9 9.5
Cooper FB 16 11 98 330 1 23 3.4 20.6 6.1
Davis RB 11 5 94 297 7 14 3.2 18.6 5.9
Easley RB 12 1 76 224 1 9 2.9 18.7 6.3
Hofer RB 12 0 60 193 1 12 3.2 16.1 5.0
Ring RB 12 0 22 106 0 16 4.8 8.8 1.8
Montana QB 16 16 25 95 2 20 3.8 5.9 1.6
Lawrence RB 13 0 13 48 1 14 3.7 3.7 1.0
Solomon WR 15 15 9 43 0 16 4.8 2.9 0.6
Clark WR 16 16 3 32 0 18 10.7 2.0 0.2
Elliott RB 4 0 7 29 0 9 4.1 7.3 1.8
Benjamin QB 4 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0.3 0.3
Team Total 16 560 1941 17 28 3.5 121.3 35.0
Opp Total 16 464 1918 10 4.1 119.9 29.0

Statistical comparison

San Francisco 49ers Opponents
First downs 317 280
First downs rushing 110 113
First downs passing 183 144
First downs penalty 24 23
Third down efficiency 114/259 87/224
Fourth down efficiency 0/0 0/0
Net yards rushing 1941 1918
Rushing attempts 560 454
Yards per rush 3.5 4.1
Passing – Completions/attempts 328/517 273/514
Times sacked-total yards 29–223 36–290
Interceptions thrown 13 27
Net yards passing 3543 2845
Total net yards 5484 4763
Punt returns-total yards 48–344 57–664
Kickoff returns-total yards 45–909 67–1389
Interceptions-total return yards 27–448 13–297
Punts-average yardage 93–41.5 83–41.4
Fumbles-lost 26–12 36–21
Penalties-total yards 92–752 108–866
Time of possession 31:38 28:22
Turnovers 25 48

Quarter-by-quarter

49ers Quarter-by-quarter
1 2 3 4 T
49ers 80 100 88 89 357
Opponents 40 76 55 79 250

Individual leaders

49ers Passing
C/ATT1 Yds TD INT Rating
Montana 311/488 3565 19 12 88.4
Benjamin 15/26 171 1 1 74.4
Solomon 1/1 25 0 0 118.8
Easley 1/1 5 0 0 87.5
Clark 0/1 0 0 0 39.6
49ers Rushing
Car2 Yds TD LG3 Yds/Car
Patton 152 543 4 28 3.6
Cooper 98 330 1 23 3.4
Davis 94 297 7 14 3.2
Easley 76 224 1 9 2.9
Hofer 60 193 1 12 3.2
Ring 22 106 0 16 4.8
Montana 25 95 2 20 3.8
Lawrence 13 48 1 14 3.7
Solomon 9 43 0 16 4.8
Clark 3 32 0 18 10.7
Elliott 7 29 0 9 4.1
Benjamin 1 1 0 1 1.0
49ers Receiving
Rec4 Yds TD LG3 Yds/Rec
Clark 85 1105 4 78 13.0
Solomon 59 969 8 60 16.4
Cooper 51 477 0 50 9.4
Young 37 400 5 29 10.8
Hofer 27 244 0 22 9.0
Patton 27 195 1 31 7.2
Wilson 9 125 1 27 13.9
Easley 9 62 0 21 6.9
Elliott 7 81 0 19 11.6
Ramson 4 45 0 16 11.3
Ring 3 28 1 21 9.3
Shumann 3 21 0 8 7.0
Lawrence 3 10 0 5 3.3
Davis 3 –1 0 3 –0.3
Peets 1 5 0 5 5.0
49ers Interception
Int5 Yds TD LG3 Y/Int
Hicks 9 239 1 72 26.6
Lott 7 117 3 41 16.7
Williamson 4 44 0 28 11.0
Wright 3 26 0 26 8.7
McColl 1 22 0 22 22.0
Martin 1 0 0 0 0
Reynolds 1 0 0 0 0
Turner 1 0 0 0 0
49ers Punts
Pnt6 Yds LG3 Blck Y/P
Miller 93 3858 65 0 41.5
49ers Kickoff Returns
Rt7 Yds TD LG3 Y/Rt
Lawrence 17 437 1 92 25.7
Ring 10 217 0 29 21.7
Lott 7 111 0 20 15.9
Wilson 4 67 0 22 16.8
Jones 3 43 0 22 14.3
Hicks 1 22 0 22 22.0
Ramson 1 12 0 12 12.0
Davis 1 0 0 0 0.0
Patton 1 0 0 0 0.0
49ers Punt Returns
Rt8 Yds TD LG3 Y/Rt
Solomon 29 173 0 19 6.0
Hicks 19 171 0 39 9.0
49ers Extra Points
XP XPA XP%
Wersching 30 30 100
Bahr 12 12 100
49ers Field Goals
1–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ FG FGA FG%
Wersching 2–2 7–7 4–7 4–7 17 23 73.9
Bahr 0–2 0–1 2–3 2 6 33.9

1Completions/attempts 2Carries 3Long gain 4Receptions 5Interceptions 6Punts 7Kickoff Returns 8Punt Returns

Postseason

Round Date Opponent (seed) Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
Divisional January 3, 1982 New York Giants (5) 2:00 p.m. PST CBS W 38–24 1–0 Candlestick Park 58,360 Recap
NFC Championship January 10, 1982 Dallas Cowboys (2) 2:00 p.m. PST CBS W 28–27 2–0 Candlestick Park 60,525 Recap
Super Bowl XVI January 24, 1982 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (A1) W 26–21 3–0 Pontiac Silverdome 81,270 Recap

1981 NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, January 3, 1982): vs. (5) New York Giants

[36]

NFC Divisional Playoff: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants (1–1) 7 3 7724
49ers (1–0) 7 17 01438

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
NYG Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Giants Game Statistics 49ers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession 
|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

|stats= Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

  • NYG -
  • SF -

Turnovers

  • NYG – 4
  • SF – 1

}}

The Giants were making their first appearance in the postseason since 1963. First-year starting quarterback Joe Montana led the 49ers to victory in his debut playoff game, completing 20 of 31 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. His top target in the game was receiver Dwight Clark, who caught 5 passes for 104 yards.

1981 NFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 10, 1982): vs. (2) Dallas Cowboys

Main article: The Catch (American football)

[38]

NFC Championship Game: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys (1–1) 10 7 01027
49ers (2–0) 7 7 7728

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

Team Category Player Statistics
DAL Passing Danny White 16/24, 173 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Tony Dorsett 22 CAR, 91 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Jones 3 REC, 17 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 22/35, 286 YDS, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing Lenvil Elliott 10 CAR, 48 YDS
Receiving Dwight Clark 8 REC, 120 YDS, 2 TDs
  • Point spread: 49ers +3
  • Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
  • Time of Game:
Cowboys Game Statistics 49ers
16 First downs 26
32–115 Rushes–yards 31–127
173 Passing yards 286
16–24–1 Passes 22–35–3
4–38 Sacked–yards 3–20
135 Net passing yards 266
250 Total yards 393
102 Return yards 136
6–39.3 Punts 3–35.7
4–2 Fumbles–lost 3–3
5–39 Penalties–yards 7–106
32:57 Time of possession 27:03

Individual stats

The 49ers were making their third appearance in the NFC Championship Game. Their opponent was their opponent for the two previous NFC Championship Games-the Dallas Cowboys. In both previous matches, the 49ers had lost the game. The game is remembered for "The Catch".

The play, remembered in 49er lore as "Red Right Tight—Sprint Right Option" had called for both the primary receiver, Solomon, and Dwight Clark to line up on the right. Montana was supposed to roll to his right and find Solomon. Clark's pattern called for him to cut left across the end zone, stop, and immediately reverse his path to the right. If Solomon were covered, it would be up to Montana to find Clark. Due to the pressure, Montana's pass was high, but Clark was in position to make his memorable grab. Future New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who grew up in the Bay Area, attended the game as a four-year-old. The 49ers were victorious despite an astonishing six turnovers, including three interceptions by Joe Montana.

A photograph of the catch, with Clark at the height of his leap and Everson Walls reaching out to try to block the ball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week.

Super Bowl XVI

[40]

Super Bowl XVI: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 13 0626
Bengals 0 0 71421

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

Game information

Awards and records

1982 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl

Main article: 1982 Pro Bowl
Number Player Position Conference
87 Dwight Clark WR NFC Pro Bowlers
51 Randy Cross RG, Starter NFC Pro Bowlers
74 Fred Dean DE NFC Pro Bowlers
22 Dwight Hicks S NFC Pro Bowlers
42 Ronnie Lott RCB, Starter NFC Pro Bowlers
16 Joe Montana QB, Starter NFC Pro Bowlers

[41]

Media

Pre season Local TV

Channel Play-by-play Color commentator(s)
KPIX-TV 5

Local Radio

Flagship station Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Sideline reporter(s)
KCBS–AM 740 Don Klein Wayne Walker

References

  1. ^ Mays, Robert (January 27, 2016). "The Birth of a Dynasty and the Death of a Dome". SI. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "1981 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "1981 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  4. ^ "Team rosters". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). January 23, 1982. p. 12.
  5. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  6. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – September 6, 1981
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 563.
  8. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  9. ^ Pro Football Reference; Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – September 13, 1981
  10. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  11. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – September 20, 1981
  12. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  13. ^ Pro Football Reference; New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – September 27, 1981
  14. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  15. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins – October 4, 1981
  16. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  17. ^ Pro Football Reference; Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – October 11, 1981
  18. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  19. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers – October 18, 1981
  20. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  21. ^ Pro Football Reference; Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – October 25, 1981
  22. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  23. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 1, 1981
  24. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  25. ^ Pro Football Reference; Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – November 8, 1981
  26. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  27. ^ Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers – November 15, 1981
  28. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  29. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – November 22, 1981
  30. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  31. ^ Pro Football Reference; New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – November 29, 1981
  32. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  33. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  34. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  35. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – December 20, 1981
  36. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  37. ^ Pro Football Reference; NFC Divisional Playoff – New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – January 3, 1982
  38. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  39. ^ Pro Football Reference; 1981 NFC Championship Game – Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers – January 10, 1982
  40. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Sep-03.
  41. ^ San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide. San Francisco 49ers. p. 517.
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