1996 San Francisco 49ers season

NFL season
team = San Francisco 49ers
year = 1996
record = 12-4
division_place =2nd, NFC West
coach = George Seifert
stadium = 3Com Park
playoffs = Lost NFC Divisional PlayoffThe 1996 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 50th since its inception. In commemoration, the 49ers wore a special 50th anniversary patch. They also wore a new uniform reminiscent of the 1994 throwback uniforms with white pants, shadowed numbers, a darker shade of red, and an updated logo. The franchise finished second place in the NFC West, behind the 12-4 Carolina Panthers. Although the team was competitive the entire season, nagging and recurring injuries to offensive players and an inconsistent running game contributed to a what was considered a disappointing season. After a 14-0 Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the 49ers were defeated by the Green Bay Packers in the divisional playoffs 35-14. It would be George Seifert's final season as the 49ers' head coach.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Regular season

After the 1995 season, concerns about the 49ers' running game loomed largely for San Francisco. The 49ers were able to sign running back Terry Kirby by the fifth week of the season, but star fullback William Floyd was still recovering from a devastating knee injury suffered the previous season. Also, the loss of cornerback Eric Davis to divisional rival Carolina was a concern. However, with 1995's number one defense and highest scoring offense, San Francisco was picked by many to win their sixth Super Bowl.

The 49ers started out the 1996 season fast with dominant wins over the New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams, 27-11, and 34-0 (the 49ers scored two safeties in the game), respectivey. In the first two games, the 49ers had zero turnovers, but they had yet to throw a touchdown pass. In week 4, the 49ers faced the upstart 2-0 Carolina Panthers. Although favored to win, a groin injury to Steve Young, inconsistent run defense, and an aggressive blitzing scheme by Carolina led to a convincing 23-7 victory for the Panthers. San Francisco netted only 48 yards rushing and was only 2-11 on third down conversions during the contest.

Despite Steve Young's absence, the 49ers were able to win dominantly over the Falcons and Rams. However, in week seven the 49ers faced the team that knocked them out of the playoffs the previous year: the Green Bay Packers. With Steve Young on the bench, the 49ers ran an aggressive offensive and defensive scheme, building a 17-6 lead in the second quarter. However, from that point on, conservative play-calling allowed Green Bay to get back in the game. With the game tied at 17 late in the forth quarter, the 49ers faced a third and short in Green Bay territory. George Seifert opted for quarterback Elvis Grbac to fall on the ball and settle for a lead-changing field goal. However, Brett Favre led the Packers to a tying field goal at the end of regulation, and the Packers were able to win the game in overtime. In hindsight, that game was the turning point for the 49ers season.

After a comeback victory over Cincinnati, (in which Steve Young left the game due to injury, but heroically returned to lead the 49ers back from a 21 point deficit), Steve Young was again knocked out of a game. Against Houston, Steve Young connected with Jerry Rice on a quick slant, but suffered a concussion on the play. Ironically, due to a defensive penalty the play didn't count. However, with Steve Young and Elvis Grbac out, the 49ers were able to pull off a close 10-9 victory. A week later, once again the 49ers won a close game, 24-17 over New Orleans. With Steve Young on the sidelines, many feared the season was over, especially after a 20-17 overtime lose to rival Dallas. Perhaps one mounting frustration was showcased by a comment from Mayor Willie Brown saying that Elvis Grbac was an embarrassment to mankind after the defeat.

However, the 49ers were able to rebound, winning three straight. With many of their stars returning from injury, including Young, William Floyd, and Brent Jones, some analysts believed that the 49ers were a team to be feared again. With a 10-3 record and a one-game lead in the division, San Francisco had a chance to clinch the divisional title against the Panthers. However, it was the 49ers who appeared to be a second-year franchise, making costly mistakes and penalties. Despite gaining many more yards than they did the last contest against the Panthers (450 yards), Carolina was able to win, 30-24. Once again the Panthers jumped out to an early lead, 17-7, and scored 27 points by halftime. Although San Francisco was able to hold them to only a field goal in the second half, the lead proved to be too much.

Humbled, San Francisco was able to regain their offensive composure, and won their remaing two contests, thereby gaining one homefield playoff game.

In the last game of the year against Detroit, Steve Young was able to earn his 5th NFL passing title, completing 17 of 23 passes with two touchdowns. He finished the season with a league-leading passer rating of 97.2.

Post-season

The 49ers entered the playoffs as the 4th seed. Their wild card match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles featured the return of Ricky Watters to San Francisco. Many analysts believed that Watters' departure was one of the main reasons the 49ers dominance declined, so the game was highly anticipated.

The weather was very rainy and windy, but Steve Young's passes were as accurate as they were during the season. Despite both offenses moving the ball well, neither was able to score until the second quarter. With the score tied at 0-0, a long pass from Young to Jerry Rice set up Young's scamper into the endzone for a touchdown on a draw play. Although the 49ers took a 7-0 lead into half time, Young was once again injured. At the beginning of the second half, Young's throws were visibly altered. However, pain killers were effective enough for him to throw a touchdown pass to Rice before the game was over. Unfortunately for San Francisco, Young broke his ribs on the touchdown run, and the injury would force him to leave early in the first quarter the following week.

Although Philadelphia was able to move the ball at times, the 49ers were able to keep them scoreless. San Francisco advanced to the divisional playoffs, and the opponent would again be the Green Bay Packers.

San Francisco was able to keep pace offensively and defensively for most of the game, with the score 21-14 in favor of Green Bay in the third quarter. However, Steve Young was only able to play for a series. Neither team's offense was particularly effective in the game, with San Francisco gaining only 196 total yards and Green Bay only gaining 210 (including only 79 passing yards). However, costly penalties by San Francisco (6 for 42 yards, while Green Bay only had 1 for 5) and outstanding play by the Packer's special teams were the deciding factors (Green Bay averaged 43.2 yards per punt return).

A muffed kickoff by Green Bay set up a 49ers touchdown, but Green Bay's Desmond Howard returned two kicks for large gains, including one touchdown. The final score was Green Bay 35-14. With the 49ers most valuable player out, special teams errors were far too much for San Francisco to remain competitive in the game. Green Bay was the eventual Super Bowl Champion, and the 49ers' season again ended in defeat against the Packers.

eason schedule

Roster

QB Steve YoungQB Elvis Grbac QB Jeff Brohm

RB Terry Kirby RB Derek LovilleRB Dexter Carter RB Anthony Lynn

FB William FloydFB Tommy Vardell

WR Jerry Rice WR J. J. Stokes WR Terrell OwensWR Nate SingletonWR Iheanyi UwaezuokeWR Mike CaldwellWR Mark Harris WR Kevin Lee

TE Brent JonesTE Ted PopsonTE Adrian Cooper TE Sean Manuel

T Harris Barton T Ray BrownT Steve WallaceT Kirk Scrafford G Jesse Sapolu G Derrick DeeseG Rod Milstead G/C Chris Dalman

DE Roy Barker DE Mike BrandonDE Dennis Brown DE/DT Junior BryantDE Chris DolemanDE Israel IfeanyiDE Daryl Price

DT Dana StubblefieldDT Bryant Young

LB Ken Norton LB Gary Plummer LB Lee Woodall LB Randy Kirk LB Tony Peterson LB Kevin MitchellLB Daved Benefield CB Marquez Pope CB Tyronne Drakeford CB Steve Israel CB James WilliamsCB Frankie Smith

FS Merton Hanks S Tim McDonaldS Curtis Buckley S Dedrick Dodge

P Tommy Thompson

K Jeff Wilkins

1997 Outlook

Too many ill-timed injuries and lack of fluidity resulted in a disappointing season. In 1996, the 49ers fell well short of the team's annual goal of winning the Super Bowl. With the emergence of Carolina and Green Bay as NFC power houses, and the resignation of George Seifert following the season, San Francisco's future looked uncertain heading into 1997. However, there were reasons for optimism. All World receiver Jerry Rice, the NFL's reception leader for 1996, would be returning, and two time MVP quarterback Steve Young still showed signs of being one of the leagues most dangerous weapons when healthy. With all the injuries and bad luck the team had in 1996, one couldn't help but look to 1997 with at least moderate optimism.

NFC Wild Card Playoff - December 29, 1996

*San Francisco 49ers 14, Philadelphia Eagles 0

"at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA"

NFC Divisional Playoff - January 4, 1997 (Sat)

*Green Bay Packers 35, San Francisco 49ers 14

"at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI"

Awards and records

* Jerry Rice, Led NFL, Receptions, 108 receptions [ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 451 ]
* Jeff Wilkins, Franchise Record (tied), Most Field Goals in One Game, 6 Field Goals (September 29, 1996) [ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 142 ]
* Jeff Wilkins, Franchise Record, Most Receptions in One Season, 122 Receptions [ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 142 ]
* Steve Young, Led NFL, Passer Rating, 97.2 Rating [ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 450 ]

Milestones

References

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm 49ers on Pro Football Reference]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1996-sf 49ers Schedule on jt-sw.com]