1995 San Francisco 49ers season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1995 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

• Owner – Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr.

• President – Carmen Policy

• Vice President and Director of Football Operations – Dwight Clark

• Special Assistant to the President – John McVay

• Director of Player Personnel – Vinny Cerrato

• Coaching Administrator – Neal Dahlen

• Head Coach – George Seifert

• Assistant Head Coach – Bill McPherson

• Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – Marc Trestman

• Running Backs – Carl Jackson

• Receivers – Larry Kirksey

• Tight Ends/Offensive Line Assistant – Mike Solari

• Offensive Line – Bobb McKittrick

• Defensive Coordinator – Pete Carroll

• Defensive Line – Dwaine Board

• Linebackers – John Marshall

• Defensive Backs – Tom Holmoe

• Special Teams – Alan Lowry

• Physical Development Coordinator – Jerry Attaway

• Strength Development Coordinator – Michael Barnes

Roster

53 active, 4 inactive, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at New Orleans Saints

The Niners began their Super Bowl defense on the road and raced to a 24–9 lead despite an injury to Steve Young (accidentally kicked in the back of his neck) that necessitated play by Elvis Grbac for part of the first half. Two second-half Saints scores only closed the final to 24–22 Niners.

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

The Niners suffered their first defeat of the season in a 27–24 loss at the 0–3 Lions. The game lead tied or changed four times in the second half and a last-second Niners field goal attempt failed.

Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• SF - Jerry Rice 81-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (Jeff Wilkins kick) 49ers 7–0
• SF - Merton Hanks 38-yard fumble return (Jeff Wilkins kick) 49ers 14–0
• SF - Jeff Wilkins 26-yard field goal 49ers 17–0 Second quarter
• SF - Derek Loville 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) 49ers 24–0
• Dal - Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 24–7
• SF - Derek Loville 19-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (Jeff Wilkins kick) 49ers 31–7 Third quarter
• Dal - Chris Boniol 26-yard field goal 49ers 31–10
• Dal - Chris Boniol 37-yard field goal 49ers 31–13 Fourth quarter
• SF - Elvis Grbac 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) 49ers 38–13
• Dal - Michael Irvin 8-yard pass from Jason Garrett (Chris Boniol kick) 49ers 38–20 49ers
• Elvis Grbac: 20–30, 305 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int

Cowboys

• Troy Aikman: 4–6, 29 yards, 0 TD, 1 Int
• Wade Wilson: 15–26, 134 yards, 0 TD, 2 Int

Turnovers

• 49ers - 0
• Cowboys - 4

In one of the biggest upsets of the year, the injury-depleted 49ers thrashed the Cowboys 38–20. Coming into this game, the Cowboys were the NFL's best team, with an 8–1 record. The 49ers, on the other hand, were sitting at 5–4 coming off disappointing losses to New Orleans and the expansion Panthers by a combined score of 24–14. Steve Young was out with injury and Elvis Grbac was the 49ers' starting quarterback, but he had consistently struggled, completing 55 passes for 570 yards but with four INTs. As a result, the Cowboys were 14-point favorites coming in.

On just the second play of the game, Grbac split two defenders and hit Jerry Rice for an 81-yard touchdown, putting the 49ers up 7–0. On the ensuing possession, Michael Irvin fumbled the ball and it was picked up by Merton Hanks for a 38-yard touchdown, putting the 49ers up by two touchdowns just 1 minute and 24 seconds into the game. On the Cowboys' ensuing drive, they again turned it over (Troy Aikman interception) that resulted in a 49ers field goal. The 49ers led 17–0 just 4 minutes and 58 seconds into the game. By halftime, the 49ers had an astonishing 31–7 lead and held on for the win, upsetting the red-hot Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times in the game, while the 49ers had no turnovers.

Standings

Postseason

Schedule

Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (3) Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• GB - Craig Newsome 31-yard fumble return (Chris Jacke kick). Packers 7–0
• GB - Keith Jackson 3-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jacke kick). Packers 14–0 Second quarter
• GB - Mark Chmura 13-yard pass from Brett Favre (Chris Jacke kick). Packers 21–0
• SF - Jeff Wilkins 21-yard field goal. Packers 21–3 Third quarter
• SF - Steve Young 1-yard rush (Jeff Wilkins kick). Packers 21–10
• GB - Chris Jacke 27-yard field goal. Packers 24–10 Fourth quarter
• GB - Chris Jacke 26-yard field goal. Packers 27–10
• SF - Derek Loville 2-yard rush (Jeff Wilkins kick). Packers 27–17 Turnovers
• Packers - 0
• 49ers - 4

The 49ers, who were almost 10-point favorites in the game, were upset by the visiting Green Bay Packers. Green Bay set the tone early with a Craig Newsome 31-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and never looked back. Even though Steve Young had more pass attempts, completions and passing yards than his counterpart 1995 League MVP Brett Favre, he failed to throw for a touchdown and finished with 2 interceptions. The 49ers had 4 turnovers in the game. This was the final game for 49ers wide receiver John Taylor. 49ers didn’t win a Super Bowl until 1994, but in 1996 49ers got in the playoffs and win to the Eagles 14-0 and lost to the Packers 35-14 in the Divisional Round.

Awards and records

• Led NFL, Points Scored, 457 Points
• Jerry Rice, Franchise Record, Most Receiving Yards in One Game, 289 Receiving Yards (December 18, 1995)
• Jerry Rice, Franchise Record, Most Receptions in One Season, 122 Receptions
• Jerry Rice, NFL Record, Most Receiving Yards in One Season, 1,848 Receiving Yards
• Jerry Rice, Pro Bowl MVP

References

• 49ers Schedule on jt-sw.com

References

1. "1995 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics".
2. "1995 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
3. ''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 455
4. ''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 142
5. ''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 202