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1988 San Francisco 49ers season

American football team season

Field	Value
team	San Francisco 49ers
year	1988
record	10–6
division_place	1st NFC West
owner	Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
general_manager	John McVay
coach	Bill Walsh
def_coach	George Seifert
stadium	Candlestick Park
playoffs	Won [Divisional Playoffs](1988-89-nfl-playoffs)
(vs. [Vikings](1988-minnesota-vikings-season)) 34–9
Won [NFC Championship](1988-89-nfl-playoffs)
(at [Bears](1988-chicago-bears-season)) 28–3
Won Super Bowl XXIII
(vs. [Bengals](1988-cincinnati-bengals-season)) 20–16
shortnavlink	49ers seasons

(vs. Vikings) 34–9 Won NFC Championship (at Bears) 28–3 Won Super Bowl XXIII (vs. Bengals) 20–16 The 1988 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 39th in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd overall, and their tenth and final season under head coach Bill Walsh. The 49ers won their third Super Bowl victory after a challenging regular season, with the team slipping to a 6–5 record in week 11. In danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1982, they defeated the Washington Redskins on a Monday night and won four of their last five regular season games, finishing the season 10-6 as NFC West champions. In the divisional round of the playoffs, they thrashed the Minnesota Vikings 34–9, gaining revenge over the side that had upset the #1-seeded 49ers at the same point in the previous season. They then defeated the Chicago Bears 28–3 in the NFC Championship game, braving a wind-chill factor of 26 degrees below zero.

Super Bowl XXIII marked the 49ers first Super Bowl appearance since they defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. They had made the playoffs in the three intervening seasons, but were eliminated each time in the first round, primarily because of the poor performances by their offensive stars in those games; quarterback Joe Montana, receiver Jerry Rice and running back Roger Craig all failed to produce a single touchdown.

The 49ers alternated quarterbacks, as Montana and Steve Young both started at various points of the season. The broadcast booth of the 49ers radio network also saw change, as Joe Starkey substituted for longtime 49ers play by play announcer Lon Simmons during several games, mostly in October when Simmons called the Oakland Athletics 1988 American League Championship Series and 1988 World Series games for the Oakland A's flagship station, KSFO. The 1988 season was the last for Simmons as 49ers broadcaster. Across the regular season and postseason, the 49ers won just 13 games, then a record-low for Super Bowl champions. The number was matched in 2011 by the New York Giants, who also finished with a worse record: 13–7 (.650 win percentage), compared to the 49ers’ 13–6 (.684).

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled State of the Art; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye. On March 8, 2007, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1988 San Francisco 49ers, with team commentary from Bill Walsh, Harris Barton and Roger Craig, and narrated by Ed Harris.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1988 NFL draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position
Traded to the [Los Angeles Raiders](1988-los-angeles-raiders-season)
Danny Stubbs	DE	Miami (FL)	from [Raiders](1988-los-angeles-raiders-season)
Pierce Holt	DE	Angelo State	from [Eagles](1988-philadelphia-eagles-season) via [Buccaneers](1988-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)
Traded to the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1988-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)
Bill Romanowski	LB	Boston College
Barry Helton	P	Colorado	from [Bears](1988-chicago-bears-season) via [Raiders](1988-los-angeles-raiders-season)
Traded to the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1988-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)
Traded to the [New York Jets](1988-new-york-jets-season)
Traded to the [Buffalo Bills](1988-buffalo-bills-season)
Traded to the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1988-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)
Kevin Bryant	LB	Delaware State
Larry Clarkson	OT	Montana
Brian Bonner	LB	Minnesota
Tim Foley	K	Georgia Southern
Chet Brooks	DB	Texas A&M
George Mira Jr.	LB	Miami (FL)

Training Camp

The 1988 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Sierra College in Rocklin, California.

Personnel

Staff

Owner/president – Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr.
Vice president/general counsel – Carmen Policy
Vice president/general manager – John McVay
Administrator of football operations – Neal Dahlen
Director of college scouting – Tony Razzano
Director of pro personnel – Allan Webb
Head coach – Bill Walsh
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Mike Holmgren
Running backs – Sherman Lewis
Wide receivers – Dennis Green
Offensive line – Bobb McKittrick
Defensive coordinator – George Seifert
Defensive line – Fred von Appen
Linebackers – Bill McPherson
Defensive backs – Ray Rhodes
Defensive assistant – Tommy Hart
Special teams – Lynn Stiles
Physical development coordinator – Jerry Attaway

Roster

1988 Team Starters

Offense

Defense

Kicking Team

Preseason

Schedule

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Week	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Date	San Francisco 49ers
July 31	[Miami Dolphins](1988-miami-dolphins-season)	10:00a.m. PDT	NBC	L 21–27	0–1	United Kingdom Wembley Stadium (London)	70,535	[Recap](https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/results/1988)
	[Los Angeles Raiders](1988-los-angeles-raiders-season)	6:00p.m. PDT	CBS	W 24–10	1–1	Candlestick Park	64,457	[Recap](https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/results/1988)
	at [Denver Broncos](1988-denver-broncos-season)	6:00p.m. PDT	KPIX-TV	L 24–34	1–2	Mile High Stadium	75,067	[Recap](https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/results/1988)
	at [San Diego Chargers](1988-san-diego-chargers-season)	6:00p.m. PDT	KPIX-TV	W 34–27	2–2	Jack Murphy Stadium	39,044	[Recap](https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/results/1988)
	[Seattle Seahawks](1988-seattle-seahawks-season)	6:00p.m. PDT	KPIX-TV	W 27–21	3–2	Candlestick Park	53,357	[Recap](https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/results/1988)

Preseason Game summaries

Week P1 (Sunday, July 31, 1988): vs. [[1988 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

Miami Dolphins	year=1988	border=2}}"	Dolphins	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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 P2 (Saturday, August 6, 1988): vs. [[1988 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

Los Angeles Raiders	year=1988	border=2}}"	Raiders	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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 13, 1988): at [[1988 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Denver Broncos	year=1988	border=2}}"	Broncos	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 20, 1988): at [[1988 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	San Diego Chargers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Chargers	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 P5 (Friday, August 26, 1988): vs. [[1988 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

Seattle Seahawks	year=1988	border=2}}"	Seahawks	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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

Regular season

In the 1988 season, San Francisco won the NFC West with a 10–6 regular season record, but it was a long uphill battle; the 49ers, Rams, and Saints all finished 10–6 with the 49ers winning the division on tiebreakers. The team had a quarterback controversy with Montana and Steve Young each starting at quarterback during the season. But after a 6–5 start, Montana led the 49ers to win 4 of their final 5 regular season games.

Montana finished the regular season with 238 completions for 2,981 yards and 18 touchdowns, and also added 132 rushing yards. His favorite target was Rice, who recorded 64 receptions for 1,306 yards (a 20.4 yards per catch average) and 9 touchdowns. Craig was also a key contributor with a total of 2,036 combined rushing and receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Fullback Tom Rathman also made a big impact, rushing for 427 yards and catching 42 passes for 387 yards. The 49ers defense was led by defensive backs Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Jeff Fuller, and Tim McKyer, who recorded a combined total of 18 interceptions. McKyer led the team with 7, while Lott recorded 5. Linebacker Charles Haley was also a big contributor with 11.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.

Schedule

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Week	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	San Francisco 49ers
September 4	at [New Orleans Saints](1988-new-orleans-saints-season)	10:00a.m. PDT	CBS	W 34–33	1–0	Louisiana Superdome	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809040nor.htm)
September 11	at [New York Giants](1988-new-york-giants-season)	10:00a.m. PDT	CBS	W 20–17	2–0	Giants Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809110nyg.htm)
September 18	[Atlanta Falcons](1988-atlanta-falcons-season)	1:00p.m. PDT	CBS	L 17–34	2–1	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809180sfo.htm)
September 25	at [Seattle Seahawks](1988-seattle-seahawks-season)	1:00p.m. PDT	CBS	W 38–7	3–1	Kingdome	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809250sea.htm)
October 2	[Detroit Lions](1988-detroit-lions-season)	1:00p.m. PDT	CBS	W 20–13	4–1	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810020sfo.htm)
October 9	[Denver Broncos](1988-denver-broncos-season)	1:00p.m. PDT	NBC	L 13–16 (OT)	4–2	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810090sfo.htm)
October 16	at [Los Angeles Rams](1988-los-angeles-rams-season)	1:00p.m. PDT	CBS	W 24–21	5–2	Anaheim Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810160ram.htm)
	at [Chicago Bears](1988-chicago-bears-season)	6:00p.m. PDT	ABC	L 9–10	5–3	Soldier Field	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810240chi.htm)
October 30	[Minnesota Vikings](1988-minnesota-vikings-season)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	W 24–21	6–3	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810300sfo.htm)
November 6	at [Phoenix Cardinals](1988-phoenix-cardinals-season)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	L 23–24	6–4	Sun Devil Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811060crd.htm)
November 13	[Los Angeles Raiders](1988-los-angeles-raiders-season)	1:00p.m. PST	NBC	L 3–9	6–5	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811130sfo.htm)
	[Washington Redskins](1988-washington-redskins-season)	6:00p.m. PST	ABC	W 37–21	7–5	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811210sfo.htm)
November 27	at [San Diego Chargers](1988-san-diego-chargers-season)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	W 48–10	8–5	Jack Murphy Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811270sdg.htm)
December 4	at [Atlanta Falcons](1988-atlanta-falcons-season)	10:00a.m. PST	CBS	W 13–3	9–5	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812040atl.htm)
December 11	[New Orleans Saints](1988-new-orleans-saints-season)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	W 30–17	10–5	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812110sfo.htm)
December 18	[Los Angeles Rams](1988-los-angeles-rams-season)	5:00p.m. PST	ESPN	L 16–38	10–6	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812180sfo.htm)
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Regular Season Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 4, 1988): at [[1988 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]

Point spread: 49ers Pick'em
Over/under: 43.0 (over)
Time of game: 3 hours, 7 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	New Orleans Saints	year=1988	border=2}}"	Saints	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
21	23
32–124	31–147
165	245
14–26–1	22–31–2
0–0	5–48
165	197
289	344
128	310
1–24.0	3–40.0
1–1	2–1
2–12	10–77
23:50	36:10

Starting Lineups

Position	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	Starting Lineups – Week 1: at New Orleans
Offense
QB	#16 Joe Montana
RB	#33 Roger Craig
FB	#44 Tom Rathman
WR	#80 Jerry Rice
WR	#89 Wes Chandler
TE	#86 John Frank
LT	#74 Steve Wallace
LG	#61 Jesse Sapolu
C	#51 Randy Cross
RG	#62 Guy McIntyre
RT	#79 Harris Barton
Defense
LDE	#91 Larry Roberts
NT	#95 Michael Carter
RDE	#75 Kevin Fagan
LOLB	#94 Charles Haley
LILB	#50 Riki Ellison
RILB	#99 Mike Walter
ROLB	#53 Bill Romanowski
LCB	#22 Tim McKyer
RCB	#29 Don Griffin
SS	#49 Jeff Fuller
FS	#42 Ronnie Lott

Individual stats

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Passing	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Montana	13/23	161	3	1	0	0	29	99.8
Young	1/3	4	0	0	0	0	4	42.4

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Rushing	Car2
Craig	18	67	1	10
Rice	2	29	0	29
Montana	3	20	0	10
Rathman	8	10	0	5
Young	1	–2	0	–2

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Receiving	Rec4
Frank	5	59	2	17
Craig	5	43	0	14
Rice	2	41	0	29
Wilson	1	17	1	17
Rathman	1	5	0	5

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Kick Returns	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
DuBose	4	105	26.3	0	0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Punt Returns	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Griffin	2	18	9.0	0	0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Punting	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Runager	1	24	24.0	24	1

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Kicking	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA
Cofer	4–4	2–2

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Sacks	Sacks
Carter	2.0
Fagan	1.0
Haley	1.0
Roberts	1.0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Interceptions	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Lott	1	11	0	11	0
Carter	1	0	0	0	0

The Saints, fresh off the first winning season in franchise history, clawed to a 17–10 halftime lead in the second quarter, but Joe Montana erupted in the third with three touchdown throws. Head coach Bill Walsh, wanting to get playing time for backup Steve Young, put Young in for the fourth quarter; Young was sacked in the endzone for a safety and the Saints scored seven more points after that, nonetheless coming up short 34–33 to the 49ers.

Week 2 (Sunday, September 11, 1988): at [[1988 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]

Point spread: 49ers +2
Over/under: 44.0 (under)
Time of game: 3 hours, 13 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	New York Giants	year=1988	border=2}}"	Giants	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
25	17
33–181	29–112
263	227
21–37–0	21–37–0
3–14	3–30
249	197
430	309
63	133
4–39.0	5–39.2
4–2	2–0
9–97	4–30
30:46	29:14

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 10/18, 148 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 11/18, 115 YDS; Rice – 0/1, 0 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 18 CAR, 110 YDS; Young – 5 CAR, 48 YDS; – Rathman – 6 CAR, 21 YDS; DuBose – 3 CAR, 2 YDS, 1 TD; Montana – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 9 REC, 69 YDS; Rice – 4 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD; Rathman – 3 REC, 27 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 25 YDS; Heller – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Chandler – 1 REC, 9 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 3 KR, 49 YDS
Punt returns: Chandler – 2 PR, 14 YDS
Punting: Helton – 4 PUNTS, 156 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 2/2 PAT, 2/4 FG
Sacks: Fagan – 1.0; Haley – 1.0; Roberts – 1.0
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 62, 35

Concerned over Montana's health, coach Walsh started Steve Young in his place against the Giants; Young's rawness to the Niners offensive system showed as he was limited to 115 yards passing and the Niners trailed 17–13 in the fourth. Montana came in and fired a 77-yard touchdown in the final minutes to Jerry Rice and a 20–17 Niners win (the play, 76 All Go, had only bern installed that week).

Week 3 (Sunday, September 18, 1988): vs. [[1988 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]

Point spread: 49ers –14
Over/under: 44.0 (over)
Time of game: 3 hours, 5 minutes

Atlanta Falcons	year=1988	border=2}}"	Falcons	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
19	22
41–196	19–104
175	343
12–24–2	32–49–4
1–4	3–21
171	322
367	426
101	60
4–40.0	4–41.5
0–0	0–0
5–35	4–50
30:44	29:16

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 32/48, 343 YDS, 2 TDs, 3 INTs; Rice – 0/1, 0 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing: Craig – 13 CAR, 57 YDS; Rathman – 2 CAR, 23 YDS; Rice – 2 CAR; 20 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR; 4 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 10 REC, 61 YDS; Rice – 8 REC, 183 YDS; Rathman – 5 REC, 29 YDS; Chandler – 3 REC, 24 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 18 YDS, 1 TD; Heller – 2 REC, 17 YDS; McIntyre – 1 REC, 17 YDS, 1 TD; Nicholas – 1 REC, 14 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 3 KR, 56 YDS
Punt returns: Chandler – 2 PR, 4 YDS
Punting: Helton – 4 PUNTS, 166 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 2/2 PAT, 1/1 FG
Sacks: Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Fuller – 1 INT, 0 YDS; Holmoe – 1 INT, 0 YDS

The 49ers lost to the Falcons for only the fourth time since 1981 as Joe Montana was intercepted three times and sacked three times in a 34–17 rout. Gerald Riggs of the Falcons rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Week 4 (Sunday, September 25, 1988): at [[1988 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 0 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Seattle Seahawks	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
27	8
48–239	12–29
351	139
24–35–1	12–27–4
2–10	3–14
341	125
580	154
56	180
3–37.3	7–43.9
1–0	2–1
6–70	3–17
42:50	17:10

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 20/29, 302 YDS, 4 TDs, 1 INT; Young – 4/6, 49 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing: Craig – 21 CAR, 107 YDS; Rathman – 15 CAR, 79 YDS; DuBose – 8 CAR, 38 YDS; Sydney – 3 CAR, 16 YDS; Young – 1 CAR, –1 YD
Receiving: Rice – 6 REC, 163 YDS, 3 TDs; Craig – 6 REC, 38 YDS; Wilson – 4 REC, 62 YDS; Rathman – 3 REC, 37 YDS; DuBose – 3 REC, 29 YDS; Frank – 1 REC, 13 YDS, 1 TD; Sydney – 1 REC, 9 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 2 KR, 28 YDS
Punt returns: Chandler – 2 PR, 10 YDS; Griffin – 1 PR, 10 YDS
Punting: Helton – 3 PUNTS, 112 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 5/5 PAT, 1/4 FG
Sacks: Haley – 2.0; Carter – 1.0
Interceptions: Fuller – 1 INT, 10 YDS; Holmoe – 1 INT, 0 YDS; McKyer – 1 INT; 0 YDS; Wright – 1 INT, –2 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 31, 52, 55

The Niners rebounded by putting up 580 yards of offense in a 38–7 rout of the Seahawks. Joe Montana threw four touchdowns and Steve Young added a fifth while Roger Craig and Tom Rathman accounted for 186 rushing yards. The Seahawks' Jeff Kemp was intercepted three times and Kelly Stouffer added a fourth pick.

Week 5 (Sunday, October 2, 1988): vs. [[1988 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 2 minutes

Detroit Lions	year=1988	border=2}}"	Lions	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
18	19
21–49	35–176
275	182
21–37–0	19–30–0
4–27	2–19
248	163
297	339
86	171
6–39.2	6–36.8
3–2	2–1
2–15	4–25
31:19	28:41

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 19/30, 182 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 18 CAR, 90 YDS; Rathman – 12 CAR, 74 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 11 YDS, 1 TD; Montana – 4 CAR, 1 YD
Receiving: Wilson – 6 REC, 59 YDS; Craig – 5 REC, 31 YDS; Rathman – 4 REC, 38 YDS; Rice – 2 REC, 35 YDS; Heller – 2 REC, 19 YDS
Kickoff returns: Taylor – 2 KR, 41 YDS; Dubose – 1 KR, 24 YDS; Craig – 1 KR, 17 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 4 PR, 89 YDS, 1 TD
Punting: Helton – 6 PUNTS, 221 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 2/2 PAT, 2/2 FG
Sacks: Carter – 1.0; Griffin – 1.0; Haley – 1.0; Roberts – 1.0

Week 6 (Sunday, October 9, 1988): vs. [[1988 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 37 minutes

Denver Broncos	year=1988	border=2}}"	Broncos	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
24	21
31–147	48–246
210	191
21–39–2	12–28–3
5–43	3–20
167	171
357	417
91	102
6–45.2	4–43.3
2–1	2–1
5–40	14–93
32:44	35:27

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 12/24, 191 YDS, 1 INT; Young – 0/3, 0 YDS, 2 INTs; Sydney – 0/1, 0 YDS
Rushing: Roger Craig – 26 CAR, 143 YDS; Rathman – 11 CAR, 55 YDS; Rice – 2 CAR, 27 YDS; Montana – 6 CAR, 13 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 3 CAR, 8 YDS
Receiving: Rathman – 5 REC, 27 YDS; Rice – 3 REC, 78 YDS; Craig – 2 REC, 18 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 55 YDS; Wilson – 1 REC, 13 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 3 KR, 55 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 45 YDS; Griffin – 1 PR, 0 YDS
Punting: Helton – 4 OUNTS, 173 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 1/1 PAT, 2/3 FG
Sacks: Haley – 2.0; Fuller – 1.0; Stubbs – 1.0; Walter – 1.0
Interceptions: Turner – 1 INT, 2 TDS; McKyer – 1 INT, 0 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 47

Joe Montana ran in a six-yard touchdown and threw for 191 yards and an interception; he was sacked three times and replaced by Young as John Elway tied the game 13–13 on a touchdown to Vance Johnson. Wind gusts up to 40 mph suddenly hit Candlestick Park and made passing more difficult; in overtime a Steve Young pass was intercepted (Young's second pick of the game), setting up Rich Karlis' winning field goal (16–13 final for the Broncos).

Week 7 (Sunday, October 16, 1988): at [[1988 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Los Angeles Rams	year=1988	border=2}}"	Rams	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
24	14
40–245	17–42
203	199
21–33–1	20–33–2
2–19	1–5
184	194
429	236
61	154
7–34.3	7–43.9
4–1	4–2
7–73	5–35
36:11	23:49

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 21/31, 203 YDS, 1 INT; Young – 0/2, 0 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 22 CAR, 190 YDS, 3 TDs; Rathman – 9 CAR, 19 YDS; DuBose – 5 CAR, 16 YDS; Sydney – 1 CAR, 13 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 7 YDS; Young – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 5 REC, 12 YDS; Rice – 4 REC, 65 YDS; Rathman – 4 REC, 44 YDS; DuBose – 2 REC, 22 YDS; Jones – 2 REC, 4 YDS; Greer – 1 REC, 31 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 14 YDS; Wilson – 1 REC, 11 YDS; Heller – 1 REC, 0 YDS
Kickoff returns: Taylor – 2 KR, 31 YDS; DuBose – 1 KR, 0 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 6 PR, 26 YDS
Punting: Helton – 7 PUNTS, 240 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 3/3 PAT, 1/2 FG
Sacks: Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Lott – 2 INTs, 4 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 47

Roger Craig had one of his greatest games in a 190-yard stampede where he scored three touchdowns, highlighted by a dramatic 46-yard score in the first quarter. Despite three Jim Everett touchdowns the Rams fell to San Francisco 24–21, the tenth 49ers win in the rivalry's previous 14 games.

Week 8: (Monday, October 24, 1988): at [[1988 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 2 hours, 59 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Chicago Bears	year=1988	border=2}}"	Bears	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
12	14
21–78	41–122
169	132
14–30–1	10–22–1
4–34	3–17
135	115
213	237
103	58
8–37.2	7–33.4
1–0	1–0
10–57	2–14
23:29	36:21

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 13/29, 168 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; Young – 1/1, 1 YD
Rushing: Craig – 10 CAR, 31 YDS; Rathman – 6 CAR, 21 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 15 YDS; Rice – 2 CAR, 8 YDS; Young – 2 CAR, 3 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 6 REC, 39 YDS; Rice – 4 REC, 86 YDS, 1 TD; Heller – 3 REC, 31 YDS; Rathman – 1 REC, 13 YDS
Kickoff returns: Taylor – 3 KR, 36 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 4 PR, 57 YDS
Punting: Helton – 8 PUNTS, 293 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 1/1 PAT, 0/1 FG
Sacks: Haley – 3.0
Interceptions: McKyer – 1 INT, 0 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 51

The Niners struggled to a 10–9 loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Niners incurred ten penalties for 57 yards and Joe Montana was sacked four times.

Week 9 (Sunday, October 30, 1988): vs. [[1988 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 8 minutes

Minnesota Vikings	year=1988	border=2}}"	Vikings	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
15	16
31–92	28–130
243	232
18–30–2	14–25–0
2–14	4–23
229	209
321	339
160	148
6–42.2	7–43.6
1–1	3–2
8–53	5–51
30:49	29:11

Individual stats

Passing: Young – 14/25, 232 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing: Young – 7 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD; Roger Craig – 19 CAR, 56 YDS; Rathman – 2 CAR, 2 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 3 REC, 37 YDS; Wilson – 3 REC, 31 YDS; Jones – 3 REC, 26 YDS; Taylor – 2 REC, 88 YDS, 1 TD; Rice – 1 REC, 22 YDS; Greeg – 1 REC, 18 YDS; Rathman – 1 REC, 10 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 2 KR, 54 YDS; Taylor – 2 KR, 46 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 4 PR, 44 YDS
Punts: Helton – 7 PUNTS, 305 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 3/3 PAT, 1/2 FG
Sacks: Fagan – 1.0; Haley – 0.5; Roberts – 0.5
Interceptions: McKyer – 2 INTs; 4 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 45

The Vikings' playoff win at San Francisco the previous season hung over Candlestick Park as Coach Walsh started Steve Young in Joe Montana's stead. Young struggled and was booed repeatedly by the crowd ("They were running him out of town", lineman Harris Barton said). Just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter the Vikings led 21–17 with the Niners at Minnesota's 49-yard line; Young escaped a sack and ran in the game-winning touchdown, earning applause from the same audience that had been booing him; the NFL Films clip with Lon Simmons' call of the score is among the most replayed in retrospectives on Young's career.

Week 10: (Sunday, November 6, 1988): at [[1988 Phoenix Cardinals season|Phoenix Cardinals]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 29 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Phoenix Cardinals	year=1988	border=2}}"	Cardinals	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
22	21
38–240	19–67
145	323
14–27–0	25–41–0
4–28	7–35
117	288
357	355
94	172
7–46.6	5–45.2
0–0	3–3
14–106	3–30
34:31	25:29

Individual stats

Passing: Young – 14/27, 145 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing: Craig – 25 CAR, 162 YDS, 1 TD; Rathman – 5 CAR, 33 YDS; Young – 3 CAR, 26 YDS; Sydney – 1 CAR, 8 YDS; Flagler – 2 CAR, 6 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 5 YDS
Receiving: Rathman – 4 REC, 45 YDS; Rice – 3 REC, 37 YDS; Heller – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Greer – 1 REC, 12 YDS; Jones – 1 REC, 3 YDS, 1 TD; Craig – 1 REC, 0 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 3 KR, 48 YDS; Craig – 1 KR, 15 YDS; Thomas – 1 KR, 5 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 26 YDS
Punts: Helton – 7 PUNTS, 326 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 2/2 PAT, 3/3 FG
Sacks: Roberts – 2.5; Holt – 2.0; Carter – 1.5; Stubbs – 1.0

With Young still starting, the 49ers raced to a 23–0 lead in the third quarter, and Coach Bill Walsh felt it was the sharpest the offense had looked all season. The Cardinals, however, began clawing back as Neil Lomax rifled a pair of touchdowns; making matters worse for San Francisco was a whopping 14 penalties for 106 yards. On a kick return Walsh was blindsided by a runner and suffered two cracked ribs; he then had to watch as the Cardinals raced down field in the final minute and scored on a nine-yard Lomax score to Roy Green. It turned out to be the last road loss for the 49ers until Week One of the 1991 season.

Week 11 (Sunday, November 13, 1988): vs. [[1988 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 2 hours, 59 minutes

Los Angeles Raiders	year=1988	border=2}}"	Raiders	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
17	15
45–159	26–83
112	112
8–22–0	16–31–0
2–20	4–24
92	88
251	219
31	72
6–39.0	8–38.2
1–1	3–2
6–48	8–85
35:33	24:27

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 16/31, 160 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 17 CAR, 58 YDS; Rathman – 3 CAR, 15 YDS; Montana – 4 CAR, 12 YDS; Rice – 2 CAR, –2 YDS
Receiving: Rice – 5 REC, 61 YDS; Craig – 5 REC, 29 YDS; Wilson – 4 REC, 44 TDS; Heller – 1 REC, 15 YDS; Rathman – 1 REC, 11 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 3 KR, 44 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 28 YDS
Punting: Helton – 8 PUNTS, 306 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 1/1 FG
Sacks: Ellison – 1.0; Holt – 1.0

The low point for the 49ers season came against the Raiders as Joe Montana started despite continuing concern by Walsh over his health; Montana had lost eight pounds and was coming off a stomach illness. Montana was held to 160 passing yards as the Raiders clawed out a 9–3 win. The 49ers’ final drive stalled when officials did not call a pass interference penalty on the Raiders over a play to Jerry Rice inside the 10-yard line.

As a result, it was the second game of the season they didn't score a touchdown. Following the loss, amid chatter from players interpreted as them giving up on the season, Ronnie Lott called a players-only meeting; Harris Barton called it "a ‘screw the coaches’ meeting" and said that it worked to refocus the players on playing better ("They usually don't work, but this one did.")

Week 12 (Monday, November 21, 1988): vs. [[1988 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 6 minutes

Washington Redskins	year=1988	border=2}}"	Redskins	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
20	18
25–56	30–112
271	218
27–42–2	15–25–2
0–0	2–10
271	208
327	320
150	177
4–39.2	5–36.6
4–2	0–0
5–51	10–65
33:28	26:32

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 15/23, 218 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT; Young – 0/2, 0 YDS, 1 INT
Rushing: Craig – 24 CAR, 75 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 20 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 1 CAR, 12 YDS; Rathman – 2 CAR, 5 YDS, 1 TD; DuBose – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 5 REC, 37 YDS; Rice – 3 REC, 105 YDS, 1 TD; Wilson – 2 REC, 18 YDS; Rathman – 2 REC, 12 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 22 YDS; Jones – 1 REC, 18 YDS, TD; DuBose – 1 REC, 6 YDS
Kickoff returns: Taylor – 2 KR, 44 YDS; DuBose – 1 KR, 13 YDS; Wilson – 1 KR, 2 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 4 PR, 113 YDS
Punting: Helton – 5 PUNTS, 183 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 4/5 PAT, 1/1 FG
Interceptions: Fuller – 1 INT, 5 YDS; Lott – 1 INT, 0 YDS

The refocused Niners erupted on the defending champion Redskins, racing to a 23–7 halftime lead and winning 37–21. Joe Montana threw two touchdowns (including an 80-yarder to Jerry Rice) and ran in a third. Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams of the Redskins threw three touchdowns while Timmy Smith was held to just six rushing yards.

Week 13 (Sunday, November 27, 1988): at [[1988 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 7 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	San Diego Chargers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Chargers	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
24	21
36–203	23–136
285	179
16–25–0	23–45–2
2–13	1–3
272	176
475	312
126	172
3–42.3	4–42.8
1–0	1–1
8–79	9–93
28:20	31:40

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 14/22, 271 YDS, 3 TDs; Young – 2/3, 14 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 17 CAR, 87 YDS, 2 TDs; DuBose – 7 CAR, 60 YDS, 1 TD; Rathman – 5 CAR, 20 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 14 YDS; Sydney – 3 CAR, 13 YDS; Young – 2 CAR, 9 YDS
Receiving: Rice – 6 REC, 171 YDS, 2 TDs; Rathman – 3 REC, 35 YDS; Greer – 2 REC, 19 YDS; Craig – 2 REC, 8 YDS, 1 TD; Frank – 1 REC, 38 YDS; Sydney – 1 REC, 9 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 5 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 2 KR, 36 YDS; Taylor – 1 KR, 17 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 22 YDS
Punting: Helton – 3 PUNTS, 127 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 6/6 PAT, 2/2 FG
Sacks: Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 44 YDS; McKyer – 1 INT, 7 YDS

The Niners' scoring explosion continued at Jack Murphy Stadium as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns (the first a 96-yarder to Jerry Rice) and Roger Craig had two rushing scores and a touchdown catch, while Doug DuBose added a rushing score. Four Niners backs plus both quarterbacks (Montana and Steve Young) rushed for 203 yards, crushing the Chargers 48–10.

Week 14 (Sunday, December 4, 1988): at [[1988 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]

Point spread: 49ers –7
Over/under: 41.0 (under)
Time of game: 2 hours, 52 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Atlanta Falcons	year=1988	border=2}}"	Falcons	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
20	8
37–140	21–43
244	156
21–35–0	13–27–1
1–6	3–22
238	134
378	177
73	41
3–44.7	6–44.8
2–0	1–0
7–65	2–21
36:49	23:11

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 20/34, 230 YDS, 1 TD; Rice – 1/1, 14 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 23 CAR, 103 YDS; Rathman – 7 CAR, 20 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 9 YDS; Montana – 5 CAR, 8 YDS; Sydney – 1 CAR, 0 YDS
Receiving: Craig – 7 REC, 73 YDS; Rice – 5 REC, 63 YDS, 1 TD; Wilson – 3 REC, 49 YDS; Frank – 3 REC, 33 YDS; Greer – 1 REC, 16 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 10 YDS; Flagler – 1 REC, 0 YDS
Kickoff returns: DuBose – 1 KR, 30 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 5 PR, 40 YDS
Punts: Helton – 3 PUNTS, 134 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 1/1 PAT, 2/4 FG
Sacks: Haley – 1.0; Holt – 1.0; Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Fuller – 1 INT, 3 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 23, 40

The Niners traveled to Fulton County Stadium and limited the Atlanta Falcons to 177 yards of offense in a 13–3 win.

Week 15 (Sunday, December 11, 1988): vs. [[1988 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]

Point spread: 49ers –6
Over/under: 41.0 (over)
Time of game: 3 hours, 1 minute

New Orleans Saints	year=1988	border=2}}"	Saints	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
15	20
24–70	35–152
197	233
20–35–1	18–29–1
2–15	2–12
182	221
252	373
127	79
5–38.2	3–36.7
2–1	1–1
2–11	1–0
26:35	33:25

Starting Lineups

Position	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	Starting Lineups – Week 15: vs. New Orleans
Offense
QB	#16 Joe Montana
RB	#33 Roger Craig
FB	#44 Tom Rathman
WR	#82 John Taylor
WR	#80 Jerry Rice
TE	#86 John Frank
LT	#74 Steve Wallace
LG	#61 Jesse Sapolu
C	#51 Randy Cross
RG	#62 Guy McIntyre
RT	#79 Harris Barton
Defense
LDE	#91 Larry Roberts
NT	#95 Michael Carter
RDE	#75 Kevin Fagan
LOLB	#94 Charles Haley
LILB	#55 Jim Fahnhorst
RILB	#99 Mike Walter
ROLB	#53 Bill Romanowski
LCB	#22 Tim McKyer
RCB	#29 Don Griffin
SS	#49 Jeff Fuller
FS	#42 Ronnie Lott

Individual stats

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Passing	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Montana	18/29	233	3	1	2	12	68	84.4

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Rushing	Car2
Craig	22	115	1	28
Rathman	7	19	0	555
Montana	6	18	1	11

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Receiving	Rec4
Rice	6	78	0	18
Frank	5	45	9	15
Taylor	2	77	1	68
Rathman	2	20	0	18
Craig	2	7	0	4
Jones	1	6	0	6

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Kick Returns	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
DuBose	3	66	22.0	0	0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Punt Returns	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Taylor	2	13	6.5	0	0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Punting	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Helton	3	110	36.7	0	0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Kicking	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA
Cofer	3–3	3–3

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Sacks	Sacks
Carter	1.0
Holt	1.0

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	49ers Interceptions	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Wright	1	0	0	0	0

The Niners hosted the Saints with both teams at 9–5 but going in opposite directions following two straight Saints losses. Led by Roger Craig's 115 yards, the Niners rushed for 152 yards and two scores while Joe Montana threw for 233 yards and a score in San Francisco's 30–17 win. At halftime, the 49ers retired number 87, which was worn by Dwight Clark from 1979 to 1987.

Week 16: (Sunday, December 18, 1988) vs. [[1988 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game:

Los Angeles Rams	year=1988	border=2}}"	Rams	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
23	20
30–121	21–70
201	291
19–38–1	22–37–0
0–0	9–45
201	246
322	316
84	159
5–38.2	6–35.3
1–0	2–1
5–33	7–58
31:28	28:32

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 15/26, 171 YDS; Young – 7/11, 120 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 16 CAR, 51 YDS; Rathman – 2 CAR, 11 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 1 CAR, 9 YDS; Helton – 1 CAR, 0 YDS; Flagler – 1 CAR, –1 YD
Receiving: Taylor – 5 REC, 54 YDS; Flagler – 3 REC, 72 YDS; Craig – 3 REC, 32 YDS; Rathman – 3 REC, 29 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 34 YDS; Rice – 2 REC, 29 YDS; Greer – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Heller – 1 REC, 10 YDS; Frank – 1 REC, 7 YDS
Kickoff returns: Rodgers – 6 KR, 98 YDS; Sydney – 1 KR, 8 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 53 YDS
Punting: Helton – 6 PUNTS, 212 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 1/1 PAT, 3/3 FG
Interceptions: McKyer – 1 INT, 0 YDS

The Niners clinched the NFC West despite a three-way tie with the Rams and New Orleans (all finishing 10–6) and despite a 38–16 slaughter by the Rams that put them into the playoffs. Jim Everett threw four touchdowns while Montana and Young combined for 291 yards but no scores. San Francisco won the division on tiebreakers and the Rams were the wild card, while the 10–6 Saints were eliminated from playoff contention on the conference record tiebreaker.

Standings

Regular Season Stats

Passing

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Passing	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pos	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	G	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	GS	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	QBrec	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988
Montana	QB	14	13	8–5–0	238	397	59.9	2981	18	4.5	10	2.5	96	7.5	7.3	12.5	212.9	87.9	34	223	7.9	6.40	6.19	2	2
Young	QB	11	3	2–1–0	54	101	53.5	680	3	3.0	3	3.0	73	6.7	6.0	12.6	61.8	72.2	13	75	11.4	5.31	4.65	1	1
Rice	WR	16	16		1	3	33.3	14	0	0.0	1	33.3	14	4.7	–10.3	14.0	0.9	9.7	0	0	0.0	4.67	–10.33
Sydney	RB	16	0		0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0.0	0	0.0	0.0		0.0	39.6	0	0	0.0	0.00	0.00

Rushing

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Rushing	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"
Craig	RB	16	15	310	1502	9	46	4.8	93.9	19.4
Rathman	FB	16	16	102	427	2	26	4.2	26.7	6.4
Young	QB	11	3	27	184	1	49	6.8	16.7	2.5
Montana	QB	14	13	38	132	3	15	3.5	9.4	2.7
DuBose	RB	14	0	24	116	2	37	4.8	8.3	1.7
Rice	WR	16	16	13	107	1	29	8.2	6.7	0.8
Sydney	RB	16	0	9	50	0	13	5.6	3.1	0.6
Flagler	RB	3	0	3	5	0	4	1.7	1.7	1.0
Helton	P	15	0	1	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.1

Receiving

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Receiving	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pos
Craig	RB	16	15	76	534	7.0	1	22	4.8	33.4	0.0%
Rice	WR	16	16	64	1306	20.4	9	96	4.0	81.6	0.0%
Rathman	FB	16	16	42	382	9.1	0	24	2.6	23.9	0.0%
Wilson	WR	16	11	33	405	12.3	3	31	2.1	2.53	0.0%
Frank	TE	7	6	16	195	12.2	3	38	2.3	27.9	0.0%
Taylor	WR	12	3	14	325	23.2	2	73	1.2	27.1	0.0%
Heller	TE	16	9	14	140	10.0	0	22	0.9	8.8	0.0%
Greer	WR	10	0	8	120	15.0	0	31	0.8	12.0	0.0%
Jones	TE	11	0	8	57	7.1	2	18	0.7	5.2	0.0%
DuBose	RB	14	0	6	57	9.5	0	13	0.4	4.1	0.0%
Flagler	RB	3	0	4	72	18.0	0	57	1.3	24.0	0.0%
Chandler	WR	4	4	4	33	8.3	0	9	1.0	8.3	0.0%
Sydney	RB	16	0	2	18	9.0	0	9	0.1	1.1	0.0%
McIntyre	RG	16	12	1	17	17.0	1	17	0.1	1.1	0.0%
Nicholas	WR	7	0	1	14	14.0	0	14	0.1	2.0	0.0%

Kicking

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Kicking	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Games	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	0–19	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	20–29	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	30–39	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	40–49	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	50+	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Scoring	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pos	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	G	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	GS	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FGM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Lng	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	FG%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	XPA	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	XPM	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	XP%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Team Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	16	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	10	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	9	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	11	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	9	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	11	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	7	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	5	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	38	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	27	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	71.1%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	41	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	40	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	97.6%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Opp Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	16	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	24	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	18	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	75.0%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	34	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	34	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	100.0%
Cofer	K	16	0	1	1	10	9	11	9	11	7	5	1	38	27	52	71.1%	41	40	97.6%

Punting

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Punting	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pos	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	G	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	GS	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pnt	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Yds	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Lng	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Blck	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Y/P	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Team Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	16	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	79	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3093	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	53	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	39.2	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Opp Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	16	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	86	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3522	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	0	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	41.0
Helton	P	15	0	78	3069	53	1	39.3
Runager	P	1	0	1	24	24	0	24.0

Kick Return

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Kick return	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	Player	San Francisco 49ers
DuBose	RB	14	0	32	608	44	19.0
Taylor	WR	12	3	12	225	29	18.8
Rodgers	RB	1	0	6	98	24	16.3
Craig	RB	16	15	2	32	17	16.0
Sydney	RB	16	0	1	8	8	8.0
Thomas	C	16	0	1	5	5	5.0
Wilson	WR	16	11	1	2	2	2.0

Punt Return

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Punt return	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers
Taylor	WR	12	3	55	556	2	95	12.6
Chandler	WR	4	4	6	28	0	13	4.7
Griffin	RCB	10	6	4	28	0	10	7.0

Sacks

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Sacks	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"

Interceptions

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Interceptions	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"

Fumbles

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Fumbles	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"

Tackles

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Tackles	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"

Scoring Summary

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Scoring Summary	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"

Team

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	San Francisco 49ers	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Opponents
First downs	326
First downs rushing	141
First downs passing	167
First downs penalty	18
Third down efficiency	94/225
Fourth down efficiency	5/10
Net yards rushing	2523
Rushing attempts	527
Yards per rush	4.8
Passing – Completions/attempts	293/502
Times sacked-total yards	47–298
Interceptions thrown	14
Net yards passing	3377
Yards per pass	6.2
Total net yards	5900
Punt returns-total yards	54–612
Kickoff returns-total yards	55–978
Interceptions-total return yards	22–88
Punts-average yardage	79–39.2
Fumbles-lost	27–12
Penalties-total yards	115–986
Time of possession	30:31
Turnovers	26

Quarter-by-quarter

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	Quarter-by-quarter	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Team	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	2	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	4	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	OT	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	T	49ers	54	140	95	80	0	369	Opponents	31	92	77	91	3	294

Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Week	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	San Francisco 49ers
January 1, 1989	[Minnesota Vikings](1988-minnesota-vikings-season) (4)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	W 34–9	1–0	Candlestick Park	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901010sfo.htm)
January 8, 1989	at [Chicago Bears](1988-chicago-bears-season) (1)	1:00p.m. PST	CBS	W 28–3	2–0	Soldier Field	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080chi.htm)
January 22, 1989	[Cincinnati Bengals](1988-cincinnati-bengals-season) (A1)	2:00p.m. PST	NBC	W 20–16	3–0	Joe Robbie Stadium	[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901220cin.htm)

1988 NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, January 1, 1989): vs. (4) [[1988 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 9 minutes

Minnesota Vikings	year=1988	border=2}}"	Vikings	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
20	20
19–54	34–201
255	177
23–47–2	17–28–1
6–47	1–6
208	171
262	372
123	76
7–39.3	5–36.2
1–1	2–1
9–90	6–60
28:13	31:47

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 16/27, 178 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT; Young – 1/1, –1 YDS
Rushing: Craig – 21 CAR, 135 YDS, 2 TDs; Rathman – 3 CAR, 29 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 21 YDS; Montana – 3 CAR, 18 YDS; Sydney – 1 CAR, 1 YD; Young – 3 CAR, 1 YD; Flagler – 2 CAR, –4 YDS
Receiver: Rice – 5 REC, 61 YDS, 3 TDs; Taylor – 3 REC, 42 YDS; Craig – 3 REC, 26 YDS; Rathman – 2 REC, 20 YDS; Jones – 2 REC, 17 YDS; Wilson – 1 REC, 12 YDS; Harry Sydney – 1 REC, –1 YD
Kickoff returns: Rodgers – 3 KR, 39 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 2 PR, 27 YDS
Punts: Helton – 5 PUNTS, 181 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 4/5 PAT, 0/1 FG
Sacks: Roberts – 2.5; Haley – 1.5; Holt – 1.0; Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Lott – 2 INTs, 10 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 60

For the third time in some 365 days the 49ers hosted the Vikings, and for the second time in that span it was in the playoffs. Minnesota entered having shot down the Rams 28–17 and boasting an offense fourth in scoring with a defense second in fewest points allowed with a plus-23 turnover differential – and none of it made any difference as Joe Montana threw three touchdowns in the first half and Jerry Rice caught all three. Wade Wilson was picked off twice as the Niners won 34–9, their first playoff win since Super Bowl XIX.

1988 NFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 8, 1989): at (1) [[1988 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]

Point spread:
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 2 minutes

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	49ers	Game statistics	Chicago Bears	year=1988	border=2}}"	Bears	First downs	Rushes–yards	Passing yards	Passes	Sacked–yards	Net passing yards	Total yards	Return yards	Punts	Fumbles–lost	Penalties–yards	Time of possession
21	15
37–138	25–91
288	176
17–27–0	20–41–1
2–20	0–0
268	176
406	267
60	90
6–34.5	7–31.4
1–1	2–1
0–0	3–35
31:03	28:57

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 17/27, 288 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing: Craig – 18 CAR, 68 YDS; Rathman – 10 CAR, 36 YDS, 1 TD; Montana – 3 CAR, 12 YDS; Sydney – 2 CAR, 12 YDS; Flagler – 3 CAR, 7 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 3 YDS
Receiving: Rice – 5 REC, 133 YDS, 2 TDs; Rathman – 5 REC, 51 YDS; Taylor – 3 REC, 51 YDS; Craig – 2 REC, 33 YDS; Frank – 2 REC, 20 YDS, 1 TD
Kickoff returns: Taylor – 1 KR, 22 YDS Sydney – 1 KR, 14 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 4 PR, 24 YDS
Punting: Helton – 6 PUNTS, 207 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 4/4 PAT
Interceptions: Fuller – 1 INT, 0 YDS

The Niners traveled to frigid Soldier Field a week after the Bears succeeded in the Fog Bowl against the Eagles and less than three months after San Francisco's ugly Monday Night loss in that same venue. The Niners put the game away in the third quarter following Joe Montana's third touchdown of the game as the Niners limited the Bears' sluggish offense (18th in scoring) to just one Kevin Butler field goal. The win was doubly personal for Walsh between returning to the Super Bowl and also quieting hecklers in the Soldier Field crowd, including one in particular who'd persisted in what Walsh delicately described as "remarks about my body parts and my preferences in life", but who was reduced to futile stuttering as the game got out of hand.

Super Bowl XXIII (Sunday, January 22, 1989): vs. (A1) [[1988 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]

Main article: Super Bowl XXIII

Point spread: 49ers –7
Over/under:
Time of game: 3 hours, 24 minutes

Cincinnati Bengals	year=1988	border=2}}"	Bengals	Game statistics	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	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
13	23
28–106	28–111
144	357
11–25–1	23–36–0
5–21	3–14
123	343
229	454
137	133
5–44.2	4–37.0
1–0	4–1
7–65	4–32
32:43	27:17

Individual stats

Passing: Montana – 23/36, 357 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing: Craig – 17 CAR, 71 YDS, Rathman – 5 CAR, 23 YDS; Montana – 4 CAR, 13 YDS; Rice – 1 CAR, 5 YDS
Receiving: Rice – 11 REC, 215 YDS, 1 TD; Craig – 8 REC, 101 YDS; Frank – 2 REC, 15 YDS; Rathman – 1 REC, 16 YDS; Taylor – 1 REC, 10 YDS, 1 TD
Kickoff returns: Rodgers – 3 KR, 53 YDS; Taylor – 1 KR, 13 YDS; Sydney – 1 KR, 11 YDS
Punt returns: Taylor – 3 PR, 56 YDS
Punting: Helton – 4 PUNTS, 148 YDS
Kicking: Cofer – 2/2 PAT, 2/4 FG
Sacks: Haley – 2.0; Carter – 1.0; Fagan – 1.0; Stubbs – 1.0
Interceptions: Romanowsi – 1 INT, 0 YDS
49ers Missed Field Goals: Cofer 19, 49

The game is remembered for the 49ers' fourth-quarter game-winning drive. Down 16–13, San Francisco got the ball on their own eight-yard line with 3:10 on the clock and marched 92 yards down the field in under three minutes. They then scored the winning touchdown on a Joe Montana pass to John Taylor with just 34 seconds left in the game.

49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was named the Super Bowl MVP. He caught 11 passes for a Super Bowl record 215 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing once for 5 yards.

This was also the final NFL game coached by the 49ers' Bill Walsh. This was also the final Super Bowl that Pete Rozelle presided over as NFL Commissioner.

Game officials

Round	Opponent	Referee	Umpire	Head Linesman	Line Judge	Back Judge	Side Judge	Field Judge	Replay	Alternates
NFC Divisional Playoff	[Minnesota Vikings](1988-minnesota-vikings-season)	(9) Jerry Markbreit	(78) Art Demmas	(81) Dave Anderson	(53) Bill Reynolds	(106) Al Jury	(120) Gary Lane	(73) Bobby Skelton	Dixon Holman
NFC Championship Game	at [Chicago Bears](1988-chicago-bears-season)	(95) Bob McElwee	(101) Bob Boylston	(35) Leo Miles	(54) Jack Johnson	(99) Banks Williams	(47) Tom Fincken	(82) Pat Mallette	Al Sabato
Super Bowl XXIII	[Cincinnati Bengals](1988-cincinnati-bengals-season) (at Miami Gardens, Florida)	(70) Jerry Seeman	(89) Gordon Wells	(17) Jerry Bergman	(59) Bob Beeks	(22) Paul Baetz	(120) Gary Lane	(73) Bobby Skelton	Chuck Heberling	(14) Gene Barth
(57) Ed Fiffick

Playoff Stats

Passing

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Passing	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Player	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Pos	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	G	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	GS	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	QBrec	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Cmp	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Att	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Cmp%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Yds	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	TD	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	TD%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Int	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Int%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Lng	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Y/A	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	AY/A	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Y/C	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Y/G	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Rate	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Sk	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Yds	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	NY/A	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	ANY/A	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Sk%	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	4QC	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	GWD	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Team Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3–0	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	57	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	91	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	822	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	8	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	61	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	7	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	42	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Opp Total	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	54	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	113	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	575	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	4	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	23	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	11	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	68	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"		San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"
Montana	QB	3	3	3–0	56	90	62.2	823	8	8.9	1	1.1	61	0.1	7.3	12.5	274.3	117.0	7	42	7.9	6.40		1	1
Young	QB	2	0		1	1	100.0	–1	0	3.0	0	0.0	-1	6.7	–1.0	12.6	–1.0	79.2	0	0	11.4	5.31

Rushing

Receiving

Kicking

Punting

Kick Return

Punt Return

Sacks

Interceptions

Fumbles

Tackles

Scoring Summary

Team

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	San Francisco 49ers	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Opponents
First downs	64
First downs rushing	22
First downs passing	39
First downs penalty	3
Third down efficiency	18/39
Fourth down efficiency	0/0
Net yards rushing	451
Rushing attempts	98
Yards per rush	4.6
Passing – Completions/attempts	57/91
Times sacked-total yards	7–42
Interceptions thrown	1
Net yards passing	780
Yards per pass	9.0
Total net yards	1231
Punt returns-total yards	9–107
Kickoff returns-total yards	10–152
Interceptions-total return yards	4–10
Punts-average yardage	15–35.7
Fumbles-lost	7–3
Penalties-total yards	6–60
Time of possession	30:02
Turnovers	4

Quarter-by-quarter

San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}};"	Quarter-by-quarter	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	Team	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	1	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	2	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	3	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	4	San Francisco 49ers	year=1988	border=2}}"	T	49ers	17	21	10	34	82	Opponents	3	3	13	3	22

Awards and records

Mike Cofer, Led NFC, 27 Field Goals
Mike Cofer, Led NFC, 121 Points
Roger Craig, Offense, UPI NFC Player of the Year
Roger Craig, Led NFC with 2068 total yards
Jerry Rice, Most Valuable Player, Super Bowl XXIII

1989 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl

Main article: 1989 Pro Bowl

Number	Player	Position	Conference
95	Michael Carter	NT	NFC Pro Bowlers
33	Roger Craig	RB, Starter	NFC Pro Bowlers
94	Charles Haley	LB–DE	NFC Pro Bowlers
42	Ronnie Lott	FS, Starter	NFC Pro Bowlers
80	Jerry Rice	WR, Did Not Play	NFC Pro Bowlers
82	John Taylor	KR	NFC Pro Bowlers

Media

Pre season Local TV

Channel	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
KPIX-TV 5	Wayne Walker	Bill Ring

Local Radio

Flagship station	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
KGO 810	Lon Simmons (Pre Season, Week 1–5 and 8–16, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII)
Joe Starkey (Week 6–7)	Wayne Walker (Pre Season Week 1–2, Regular Season, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII)
Joe Starkey (Pre Season Weeks 3–5)	Joe Starkey (Pre Season Week 1–2, Week 1–5 and 8–16, Playoffs and Super Bowl XXIII)	Joe Starkey

References

. "San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide". *San Francisco 49ers*.
"1988 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988090408 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809040nor.htm San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – September 4, 1988]
. "San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide". *San Francisco 49ers*.
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988091108 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809110nyg.htm San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – September 11, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988091813 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809180sfo.htm Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 18, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988092511 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809250sea.htm San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – September 25, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988100212 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810020sfo.htm Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers – October 2, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988100911 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810090sfo.htm Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – October 9, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988101611 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810160ram.htm San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – October 16, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988102401 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810240chi.htm San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – October 24, 1988]
. "San Francisco 49ers 2022 Media Guide". *San Francisco 49ers*.
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988103011 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810300sfo.htm Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – October 30, 1988]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG_OCaKeiU8 1988 Steve Young touchdown vs. Vikings] on [[YouTube]]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988110608 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811060crd.htm San Francisco 49ers at Phoenix Cardinals – November 6, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988111308 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811130sfo.htm Los Angeles Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – November 13, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988112101 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811210sfo.htm Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers – November 21, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988112708 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811270sdg.htm San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988120408 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812040atl.htm San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – December 4, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988121108 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812110sfo.htm New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – December 11, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988121811 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812180sfo.htm Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – December 18, 1988]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1989010102 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901010sfo.htm 1988 NFC Divisional Playoffs – Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – January 1, 1989]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1989010802 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080chi.htm 1988 NFC Championship Game – San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – January 8, 1989]
[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1989012201 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.
''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901220cin.htm Super Bowl XXIII – Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers – January 22, 1989]
"Super Bowl MVPs - Super Bowl History - National Football League".
. "San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide". *San Francisco 49ers*.

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