1949 San Francisco 49ers season

(vs. Yankees) 17–7 Lost AAFC Championship (at Browns) 7–21

The 1949 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's fourth season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The 1949 season was the final season before the league folded and comprised only twelve games instead of the previously standard fourteen. The 49ers were unable to improve on the previous season's output of 12–2, only posting a record of 9–3, however, they were able to make their first playoff appearance. This was due to the league taking a different format, in which the top four teams played a tournament to determine the champion.

The 49ers, with the second seed, played the third-seeded New York Yankees (8–4). With their 17–7 victory over the Yankees, the 49ers moved on to play the Cleveland Browns in the league championship. The 49ers ended up losing 21–7. Until Super Bowl XLVII, it was the only time the 49ers lost a league title game.

Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Round	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Date	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Opponent (seed)	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Result	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Record	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Venue	San Francisco 49ers	year=1949	border=2}}"	Recap	Semifinals	Championship
December 4	[New York Yankees](1949-new-york-yankees-aafc-season) (3)	**W** 17–7	1–0	Kezar Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194912040sfo.htm)
December 11	[Cleveland Browns](1949-cleveland-browns-season) (1)	**L** 7–21	1–1	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194912110cle.htm)