1988 San Francisco 49ers season

{{main|1988 NFL draft}}

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

{{NFL final staff

| year = 1988

| team = San Francisco 49ers

| front_office =

• 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 =

• Head coach – Bill Walsh

| offensive =

• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Mike Holmgren
• Running backs – Sherman Lewis
• Wide receivers – Dennis Green
• Offensive line – Bobb McKittrick

| defensive =

• Defensive coordinator – George Seifert
• Defensive line – Fred von Appen
• Linebackers – Bill McPherson
• Defensive backs – Ray Rhodes
• Defensive assistant – Tommy Hart

| special_teams =

• Special teams – Lynn Stiles

| strength =

• Physical development coordinator – Jerry Attaway

}}

{{NFL final roster

|Year=1988

|TeamName=San Francisco 49ers

|BC1=#C8102E

|FC1=white

|BDC1=#B9975B

|Active=47

|Inactive=7

|PS=

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer|16|Joe Montana}}

{{NFLplayer| 8|Steve Young|d=American football}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|33|Roger Craig|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|25|Doug DuBose|KR}}

{{NFLplayer|32|Terrence Flagler}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Tom Rathman|FB}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Del Rodgers|KR}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Harry Sydney}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|83|Terry Greer}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Jerry Rice}}

{{NFLplayer|82|John Taylor|d=American football|KR/PR}}

{{NFLplayer|85|Mike Wilson|d=wide receiver}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|86|John Frank|d=tight end}}

{{NFLplayer|89|Ron Heller|d=tight end}}

{{NFLplayer|84|Brent Jones}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|79|Harris Barton|T}}

{{NFLplayer|69|Bruce Collie|G}}

{{NFLplayer|51|Randy Cross|C}}

{{NFLplayer|62|Guy McIntyre|G}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Bubba Paris|T}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Jesse Sapolu|G}}

{{NFLplayer|60|Chuck Thomas|d=American football|C}}

{{NFLplayer|74|Steve Wallace|d=American football|T}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|95|Michael Carter|d=nose tackle|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Kevin Fagan|d=American football|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|78|Pierce Holt|rookie=y|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|67|Pete Kugler|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|91|Larry Roberts|d=American football|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|96|Danny Stubbs|rookie=y|DE}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|50|Riki Ellison|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Jim Fahnhorst|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|54|Ron Hadley|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|94|Charles Haley|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|57|Sam Kennedy|d=American football|ILB}}

{{NFLplayer|53|Bill Romanowski|rookie=y|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|99|Michael Walter|d=American football|ILB}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|38|Greg Cox|d=American football|rookie=y|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Jeff Fuller|d=safety|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Don Griffin|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Tom Holmoe|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|42|Ronnie Lott|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|22|Tim McKyer|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Tory Nixon|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|26|Darryl Pollard|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|21|Eric Wright|d=cornerback, born 1959|CB}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer|6|Mike Cofer|d=kicker|K}}

{{NFLplayer|9|Barry Helton|rookie=y|P}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|65|Jeff Bregel|G|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|31|Chet Brooks|rookie=y|CB/S|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|15|John Paye|QB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|90|Todd Shell|LB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|72|Jeff Stover|DE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|58|Keena Turner|LB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Carlton Williamson|S|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1988_roster.htm |title=1988 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster |work=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=March 1, 2015 }}

1988 Team Starters

Offense

{{NFLplayer|16|Joe Montana|QB}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Roger Craig|d=American football|RB}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Tom Rathman|FB}}

{{NFLplayer|85|Mike Wilson|d=wide receiver|WR}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Jerry Rice|WR}}

{{NFLplayer|89|John Frank|d=tight end|TE}}

{{NFLplayer|74|Steve Wallace|d=American football|LT}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Jesse Sapolu|LG}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Randy Cross|C}}

{{NFLplayer|62|Guy McIntyre|RG}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Harris Barton|RT}}

Defense

{{NFLplayer|91|Larry Roberts|d=American football|LDE}}

{{NFLplayer|95|Michael Carter|d=nose tackle|NT}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Kevin Fagan|d=American football|RDE}}

{{NFLplayer|94|Charles Haley|LB}}

{{NFLplayer|50|Riki Ellison|LB}}

{{NFLplayer|99|Mike Walter|d=American football|LB}}

{{NFLplayer|58|Keena Turner|LB}}

{{NFLplayer|22|Tim McKyer|LCB}}

{{NFLplayer|21|Eric Wright|d=cornerback, born 1959|RCB}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Jeff Fuller|d=safety|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|42|Ronnie Lott|FS}}

Kicking Team

{{NFLplayer|6|Mike Cofer|d=kicker|K}}

{{NFLplayer|9|Barry Helton|P}}

{{NFLplayer|82|John Taylor|d=American football|PR}}

{{NFLplayer|25|Doug DuBose|KR}}

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|date=July 31, 1988

|time=10:00 a.m. PDT

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|title=Preseason Week 5: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

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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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988090408 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

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|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809040nor.htm San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – September 4, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

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| VisReceivingStats = 5 REC, 43 YDS

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| HomePassStats = 22/31, 245 YDS, 4 TDs, 2 INTs

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

Starting Lineups

Individual stats

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988091108 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

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|title=Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants - Game summary

|date=September 11, 1988

|time=10:00 a.m. PDT

|road=49ers (2–0)

|R1=0 |R2=10 |R3=3 |R4=7

|home=Giants (1–1)

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|referee=Gordon McCarter

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|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809110nyg.htm San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – September 11, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

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| VisRushStats = 18 CAR, 110 YDS

| VisReceiver = Roger Craig

| VisReceivingStats = 9 REC, 69 YDS

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| HomePassStats = 21/37, 227 YDS, 2 TDs

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| HomeRushStats = 22 CAR, 67 YDS

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

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).

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988091813 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

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|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 3: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=September 18, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Falcons (1–2)

|R1=0 |R2=21 |R3=3 |R4=10

|home=49ers (2–1)

|H1=3 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=7

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=60,168

|weather={{convert|81|°F|°C}}; (Sunny) wind 12

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Tim Brant (play–by–play) and John Dockery (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809180sfo.htm Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – September 18, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Atlanta Falcons

| VisitorDisplay = ATL

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Chris Miller

| VisPassStats = 12/24, 175 YDS, 2 INTs

| VisRusher = Gerald Riggs

| VisRushStats = 19 CAR, 115 YDS, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Gerald Riggs

| VisReceivingStats = 4 REC, 64 YDS

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 32/48, 343 YDS, 2 TDs, 3 INTs

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 13 CAR, 57 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Roger Craig

| HomeReceivingStats = 10 REC, 61 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=ATL|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=6:12

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| DrivePlays=8

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| DriveTime=

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| yards=38

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| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=7:00

| Team=Falcons

| DrivePlays=13

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=

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| yards=3

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Davis

| Visitor=7

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=2:58

| Team=Falcons

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=70

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| Runner=Primus

| yards=29

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| Kicker=Davis

| Visitor=14

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=0:00

| Team=Falcons

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=54

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| Runner=Miller

| yards=1

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| Kicker=Davis

| Visitor=21

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=13:41

| Team=Falcons

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=–9

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=47

| Kicker=Davis

| Visitor=24

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=8:17

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=McIntyre

| QB=Montana

| yards=17

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

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| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=11:33

| Team=Falcons

| DrivePlays=–

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| Def=Moore

| yards=47

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| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=2:18

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=86

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| QB=Montana

| yards=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=1:05

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| DrivePlays=5

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| Home=17

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=34|Home=17}}

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

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988092511 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

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|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

|date=September 25, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=49ers (3–1)

|R1=7 |R2=10 |R3=14 |R4=7

|home=Seahawks (2–2)

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=0

|stadium=The Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

|attendance=62,382

|weather=indoors

|referee=Dick Jorgensen

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Steve Zabriskie (play–by–play) and Terry Bradshaw (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809250sea.htm San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks – September 25, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = Seattle Seahawks

| HomeDisplay = SEA

| VisPasser = Joe Montana

| VisPassStats = 20/29, 302 YDS, 4 TDs, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 21 CAR, 107 YDS

| VisReceiver = Jerry Rice

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 163 YDS, 3 TDs

| HomePasser = Kelly Stouffer

| HomePassStats = 11/15, 133 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Curt Warner

| HomeRushStats = 9 CAR, 29 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Ray Butler

| HomeReceivingStats = 2 REC, 52 YDS, 1 TD

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=SF|HomeName=SEA|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=6:02

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| DrivePlays=7

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| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Rice

| QB=Montana

| yards=1

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| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=0

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=7:55

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=35

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Frank

| QB=Montana

| yards=13

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=14

| Home=0

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=1:57

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=40

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=21

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=17

| Home=0

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=11:05

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=76

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Rice

| QB=Montana

| yards=69

| kickresult=good

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=2:25

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=74

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Rice

| QB=Montana

| yards=60

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=31

| Home=0

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=1:24

| Team=Seahawks

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=71

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Butler

| QB=Stouffer

| yards=46

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Johnson

| Visitor=31

| Home=7

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=4:07

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=18

| DriveLength=85

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Wilson

| QB=Young

| yards=16

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=38

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=38|Home=7}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 0 minutes

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988100212 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 5: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=October 2, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Lions (1–4)

|R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=3 |R4=7

|home=49ers (4–1)

|H1=0 |H2=10 |H3=7 |H4=3

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=58,285

|weather={{convert|68|°F|°C}}; (Sunny) wind 12

|referee=Red Cashion

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Verne Lundquist (play–by–play) and Terry Bradshaw (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810020sfo.htm Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers – October 2, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Detroit Lions

| VisitorDisplay = DET

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Chuck Long

| VisPassStats = 11/19, 139 YDS, 1 TD

| VisRusher = Garry James

| VisRushStats = 12 CAR, 30 YDS

| VisReceiver = Pete Mandley

| VisReceivingStats = 7 REC, 116 YDS, 1 TD

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 19/30, 182 YDS

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 18 CAR, 90 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Mike Wilson

| HomeReceivingStats = 6 REC, 59 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=DET|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=10:39

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=13

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Rice

| yards=11

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=0

| Home=7

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=1:58

| Team=Lions

| DrivePlays=13

| DriveLength=54

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=24

| Kicker=Murray

| Visitor=3

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:03

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=68

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=29

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=3

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=12:35

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=–

| DriveLength=–

| DriveTime=–

| Type=Other

| Other=Taylor 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, Cofer kick good

| Visitor=3

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=3:32

| Team=Lions

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=73

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=34

| Kicker=Murray

| Visitor=6

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=8:08

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=64

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=29

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=6

| Home=20

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=5:32

| Team=Lions

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=88

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Mandley

| QB=Long

| yards=11

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Murray

| Visitor=13

| Home=20

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=13|Home=20}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 2 minutes

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

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988100911 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 6: Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=October 9, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=Broncos (3–3)

|R1=0 |R2=3 |R3=3 |R4=7 |R5=3

|home=49ers (4–2)

|H1=3 |H2=7 |H3=3 |H4=0 |H5=0

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=61,711

|weather={{convert|77|°F|°C}}; (Sunny) wind 15

|referee=Jim Tunney

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810090sfo.htm Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers – October 9, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Denver Broncos

| VisitorDisplay = DEN

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = John Elway

| VisPassStats = 21/39, 210 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs

| VisRusher = Sammy Winder

| VisRushStats = 17 CAR, 100 YDS

| VisReceiver = Vance Johnson

| VisReceivingStats = 8 REC, 85 YDS, 1 TD

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 12/24, 191 YDS, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 26 CAR, 143 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Tom Rathman

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 27 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=DEN|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=3:42

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=32

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=37

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=0

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=14:47

| Team=Broncos

| DrivePlays=14

| DriveLength=69

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=27

| Kicker=Karlis

| Visitor=3

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=6:50

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=95

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Montana

| yards=6

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=3

| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=5:18

| Team=Broncos

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=61

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=27

| Kicker=Karlis

| Visitor=6

| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=1:09

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=55

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=27

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=6

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=6:23

| Team=Broncos

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=58

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Johnson

| QB=Elway

| yards=8

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Karlis

| Visitor=13

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=OT

| Time=7:49

| Team=Broncos

| DrivePlays=2

| DriveLength=0

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=22

| Kicker=Karlis

| Visitor=16

| Home=13

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=16|Home=13}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 37 minutes

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).

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988101611 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

|date=October 16, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PDT

|road=49ers (5–2)

|R1=7 |R2=10 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Rams (5–2)

|H1=7 |H2=0 |H3=14 |H4=0

|stadium=Anaheim Stadium • Anaheim, California

|attendance=65,450

|weather={{convert|66|°F|°C}}; wind 8

|referee=Jerry Seeman

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Pat Summerall (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810160ram.htm San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – October 16, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = Los Angeles Rams

| HomeDisplay = LARams

| VisPasser = Joe Montana

| VisPassStats = 21/31, 203 YDS, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 22 CAR, 190 YDS, 3 TDs

| VisReceiver = Roger Craig

| VisReceivingStats = 5 REC, 12 YDS

| HomePasser = Jim Everett

| HomePassStats = 20/33, 199 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

| HomeRusher = Greg Bell

| HomeRushStats = 13 CAR, 28 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Henry Ellard

| HomeReceivingStats = 7 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=SF|HomeName=LARams|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=4:40

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=2

| DriveLength=59

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Craig

| yards=46

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=3:33

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=58

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Cox

| QB=Everett

| yards=44

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=7

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=14:24

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Craig

| yards=2

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=14

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=3:41

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=66

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=40

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=17

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=9:20

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=34

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Ellard

| QB=Everett

| yards=18

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=17

| Home=14

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=0:25

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=34

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=McGee

| QB=Everett

| yards=8

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=17

| Home=21

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=12:21

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=11

| DriveLength=93

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Craig

| yards=16

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=24

| Home=21

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=24|Home=21}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988102401 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=October 24, 1988

|time=6:00 p.m. PDT

|road=49ers (5–3)

|R1=7 |R2=0 |R3=2 |R4=0

|home=Bears (7–1)

|H1=0 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=0

|stadium=Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=65,293

|weather={{convert|38|°F|°C}}; wind 17, wind chill {{convert|29|°F|°C}}

|referee=Johnny Grier

|TV=ABC

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels (play–by–play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator) and Frank Gifford (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810240chi.htm San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears – October 24, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2022 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=567 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = Chicago Bears

| HomeDisplay = CHI

| VisPasser = Joe Montana

| VisPassStats = 13/29, 168 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 10 CAR, 31 YDS

| VisReceiver = Roger Craig

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 39 YDS

| HomePasser = Jim McMahon

| HomePassStats = 10/22, 132 YDS, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Neal Anderson

| HomeRushStats = 16 CAR, 62 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Neal Anderson

| HomeReceivingStats = 3 REC, 40 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=SF|HomeName=CHI|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=6:56

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=88

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Rice

| QB=Montana

| yards=23

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=0

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=3:28

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=37

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=McMahon

| yards=1

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| Kicker=Butler

| Visitor=7

| Home=7

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:00

| Team=Bears

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=35

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=18

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| Visitor=7

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=11:04

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=–

| DriveLength=–

| DriveTime=–

| Type=SafetyTackle

| Player=McMahon

| Def=Roberts and Haley

| Visitor=9

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=9|Home=10}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 59 minutes

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988103011 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=October 30, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Vikings (5–4)

|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=7 |R4=7

|home=49ers (6–3)

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=14 |H4=7

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=60,738

|weather={{convert|70|°F|°C}}; (Sunny) wind 9

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Pat Summerall (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198810300sfo.htm Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – October 30, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Minnesota Vikings

| VisitorDisplay = MIN

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Wade Wilson

| VisPassStats = 18/30, 243 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs

| VisRusher = Rick Fenney

| VisRushStats = 6 CAR, 35 YDS, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Hassan Jones

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 81 YDS

| HomePasser = Steve Young

| HomePassStats = 14/25, 232 YDS, 1 TD

| HomeRusher = Steve Young

| HomeRushStats = 7 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD

| HomeReceiver = Roger Craig

| HomeReceivingStats = 3 REC, 37 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=MIN|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=13:26

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=2

| DriveLength=27

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Wilson

| yards=2

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Nelson

| Visitor=7

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:31

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=22

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=30

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=4:16

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=97

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Craig

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=2:36

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=78

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Carter

| QB=Wilson

| yards=67

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Nelson

| Visitor=14

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=2:17

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=1

| DriveLength=73

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Taylor

| QB=Young

| yards=73

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=14

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=13:33

| Team=Vikings

| DrivePlays=2

| DriveLength=21

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Fenney

| yards=12

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Nelson

| Visitor=21

| Home=17

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=1:58

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=57

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Young

| yards=49

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=21

| Home=24

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=21|Home=24}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 8 minutes

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.[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.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Phoenix Cardinals – Game summary

|date=November 6, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=49ers (6–4)

|R1=3 |R2=13 |R3=7 |R4=0

|home=Cardinals (6–4)

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=17

|stadium=Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, Arizona

|attendance=64,544

|weather={{convert|74|°F|°C}}; wind 6

|referee=Jerry Markbreit

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Tim Ryan (play–by–play) and Dan Jiggetts (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811060crd.htm San Francisco 49ers at Phoenix Cardinals – November 6, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = Phoenix Cardinals

| HomeDisplay = PHO

| VisPasser = Steve Young

| VisPassStats = 14/27, 145 YDS, 1 TD

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 26 CAR, 162 YDS, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Tom Rathman

| VisReceivingStats = 4 REC, 45 YDS

| HomePasser = Neil Lomax

| HomePassStats = 25/41, 323 YDS, 3 TDs

| HomeRusher = Earl Ferrell

| HomeRushStats = 12 CAR, 54 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Roy Green

| HomeReceivingStats = 6 REC, 93 YDS, 2 TDs

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=SF|HomeName=PHO|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=11:41

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=54

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=42

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=3

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=12:06

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=70

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Craig

| yards=3

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=10

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=8:24

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=34

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=27

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=13

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:08

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=45

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=30

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=16

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=7:20

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=75

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Jones

| QB=Young

| yards=3

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=23

| Home=0

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=3:39

| Team=Cardinals

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=74

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Green

| QB=Lomax

| yards=35

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Del Greco

| Visitor=23

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=10:51

| Team=Cardinals

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=59

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=24

| Kicker=Del Greco

| Visitor=23

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=2:19

| Team=Cardinals

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=50

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Jones

| QB=Lomax

| yards=35

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Del Greco

| Visitor=23

| Home=17

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=0:03

| Team=Cardinals

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=66

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Green

| QB=Lomax

| yards=9

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Del Greco

| Visitor=23

| Home=24

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=23|Home=24}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 29 minutes

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988111308 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 11: Los Angeles Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=November 13, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Raiders (6–5)

|R1=0 |R2=0 |R3=6 |R4=3

|home=49ers (6–5)

|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=0

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=54,448

|weather={{convert|55|°F|°C}}; (Light Rain) wind 20

|referee=Pat Haggerty

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=Tom Hammond (play–by–play) and Joe Namath (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811130sfo.htm Los Angeles Raiders at San Francisco 49ers – November 13, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Los Angeles Raiders

| VisitorDisplay = RAI

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Steve Beuerlein

| VisPassStats = 8/22, 112 YDS

| VisRusher = Bo Jackson

| VisRushStats = 18 CAR, 85 YDS

| VisReceiver = Tim Brown

| VisReceivingStats = 4 REC, 58 YDS

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 16/31, 160 YDS

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 17 CAR, 58 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Jerry Rice

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 61 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=RAI|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=3:17

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=33

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=44

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=0

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=10:32

| Team=Raiders

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=41

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=45

| Kicker=Bahr

| Visitor=3

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=6:51

| Team=Raiders

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=18

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=50

| Kicker=Bahr

| Visitor=6

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=7:08

| Team=Raiders

| DrivePlays=7

| DriveLength=14

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=19

| Kicker=Bahr

| Visitor=9

| Home=3

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=9|Home=3}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 59 minutes

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.")

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988112101 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 12: Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=November 21, 1988

|time=6:00 p.m. PST

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|road=Redskins (6–6)

|R1=7 |R2=0 |R3=7 |R4=7

|home=49ers (7–5)

|H1=7 |H2=16 |H3=0 |H4=14

|attendance=59,268

|weather={{convert|57|°F|°C}}; (Light Rain) wind 8

|referee=Jerry Seeman

|TV=ABC

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels (play–by–play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator) and Frank Gifford (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811210sfo.htm Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers – November 21, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Washington Redskins

| VisitorDisplay = WSH

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Doug Williams

| VisPassStats = 27/41, 271 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

| VisRusher = Mike Oliphant

| VisRushStats = 4 CAR, 29 YDS

| VisReceiver = Art Monk

| VisReceivingStats = 9 REC, 89 YDS, 1 TD

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 15/23, 218 YDS, 2 IDs, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 24 CAR, 75 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Roger Craig

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 37 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=WSH|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=8:14

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=55

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Jones

| QB=Montana

| yards=18

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=0

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=0:07

| Team=Redskins

| DrivePlays=5

| DriveLength=35

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Sanders

| QB=Williams

| yards=15

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lohmiller

| Visitor=7

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=11:46

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=34

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=52

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=10

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=4:24

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=–

| DriveLength=–

| DriveTime=–

| Type=Other

| Other=Taylor 95-yard punt return for a touchdown, Cofer kick good

| Visitor=7

| Home=17

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:40

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=48

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Rathman

| yards=1

| kickresult=no good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=23

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=1:37

| Team=Redskins

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=41

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Sanders

| QB=Williams

| yards=4

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lohmiller

| Visitor=14

| Home=23

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=11:58

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| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=44

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| Kicker=Cofer

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=4:10

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| DrivePlays=5

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| QB=Montana

| yards=80

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=2:02

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| DrivePlays=10

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| Visitor=21

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=21|Home=37}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 6 minutes

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988112708 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

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|state=collapsed

|title=Week 13: San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=November 27, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=49ers (8–5)

|R1=7 |R2=17 |R3=14 |R4=10

|home=Chargers (4–9)

|H1=0 |H2=7 |H3=3 |H4=0

|stadium=Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California

|attendance=51,848

|weather={{convert|57|°F|°C}}; wind 6

|referee=Ben Dreith

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Greg Gumbel (play–by–play) and Ken Stabler (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198811270sdg.htm San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

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| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = San Diego Chargers

| HomeDisplay = SD

| VisPasser = Joe Montana

| VisPassStats = 14/22, 271 YDS, 3 TDs

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 17 CAR, 87 YDS, 2 TDs

| VisReceiver = Jerry Rice

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 171 YDS, 2 TDs

| HomePasser = Mark Malone

| HomePassStats = 17/32, 136 YDS, 2 INTs

| HomeRusher = Gary Anderson

| HomeRushStats = 14 CAR, 61 YDS

| HomeReceiver = Rod Bernstine

| HomeReceivingStats = 9 REC, 80 YDS

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| yards=36

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=5:49

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| DrivePlays=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=13:30

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| yards=7

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=12:47

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| yards=32

| Kicker=Cofer

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=2:52

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| DrivePlays=10

| DriveLength=90

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=48|Home=10}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 7 minutes

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988120408 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLAltPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 14: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=December 4, 1988

|time=10:00 a.m. PST

|road=49ers (9–5)

|R1=0 |R2=7 |R3=0 |R4=6

|home=Falcons (5–9)

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=0 |H4=3

|stadium=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=44,048

|weather={{convert|49|°F|°C}}; wind 8

|referee=Gordon McCarter

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Tim Brant (play–by–play) and Hank Stram (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812040atl.htm San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – December 4, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = San Francisco 49ers

| VisitorDisplay = SF

| Home = Atlanta Falcons

| HomeDisplay = ATL

| VisPasser = Joe Montana

| VisPassStats = 20/34, 230 YDS, 1 TD

| VisRusher = Roger Craig

| VisRushStats = 23 CAR, 103 YDS

| VisReceiver = Roger Craig

| VisReceivingStats = 7 REC, 73 YDS

| HomePasser = Chris Miller

| HomePassStats = 13/27, 156 YDS, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Gerald Riggs

| HomeRushStats = 12 CAR, 17 YDS

| HomeReceiver = John Settle

| HomeReceivingStats = 6 REC, 40 YDS

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=SF|HomeName=ATL|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=1:04

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| yards=20

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=14:52

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| yards=21

| Kicker=Davis

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| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=7:25

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=13

| DriveLength=51

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| Type=FG

| yards=31

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=10

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=1:48

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| DrivePlays=9

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| yards=23

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| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=13|Home=3}}

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

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988121108 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

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|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 15: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=December 11, 1988

|time=1:00 p.m. PST

|road=Saints (9–6)

|R1=3 |R2=7 |R3=7 |R4=0

|home=49ers (10–5)

|H1=0 |H2=21 |H3=3 |H4=6

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=62,977

|weather={{convert|62|°F|°C}}; (Drizzle) wind 5

|referee=Red Cashion

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Pat Summerall (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812110sfo.htm New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – December 11, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = New Orleans Saints

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| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Bobby Hebert

| VisPassStats = 19/30, 170 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Dalton Hilliard

| VisRushStats = 9 CAR, 35 YDS

| VisReceiver = Eric Martin

| VisReceivingStats = 7 REC, 61 YDS

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 18/29, 233 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 22 CAR, 115 YDS, 1 TD

| HomeReceiver = Jerry Rice

| HomeReceivingStats = 6 REC, 78 YDS

}}

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=10:36

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| yards=38

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=12:17

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| DrivePlays=8

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| yards=1

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=11:05

| Team=Saints

| DrivePlays=1

| DriveLength=27

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| QB=Hilliard

| yards=27

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Andersen

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| Home=7

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

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| Time=6:05

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=80

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| Runner=Montana

| yards=2

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

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| Home=14

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=3:37

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=1

| DriveLength=66

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Taylor

| QB=Montana

| yards=66

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=10

| Home=21

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=6:50

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=31

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=40

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=10

| Home=24

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=1:25

| Team=Saints

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=80

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Scales

| QB=Hebert

| yards=6

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Andersen

| Visitor=17

| Home=24

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=11:53

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=43

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=43

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=17

| Home=27

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=9:18

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=4

| DriveLength=3

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| Type=FG

| yards=19

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=17

| Home=30

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=17|Home=30}}

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

Starting Lineups

Individual stats

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.

[https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1988121811 The Football Database]. Retrieved 2023-May-17.

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|San Francisco 49ers|year=1988|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=Week 16: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=December 18, 1988

|time=5:00 p.m. PST

|road=Rams (10–6)

|R1=0 |R2=21 |R3=10 |R4=7

|home=49ers (10–6)

|H1=3 |H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=3

|stadium=Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

|attendance=62,444

|weather={{convert|50|°F|°C}}; (Cloudy) wind 6

|referee=Gene Barth

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Mike Patrick (play–by–play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator)

|reference=Pro Football Reference; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198812180sfo.htm Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers – December 18, 1988]{{cite book |author= |title=San Francisco 49ers 2023 Media Guide |publisher=San Francisco 49ers |page=570 }}

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = Los Angeles Rams

| VisitorDisplay = LARams

| Home = San Francisco 49ers

| HomeDisplay = SF

| VisPasser = Jim Everett

| VisPassStats = 19/38, 201 YDS, 4 TDs, 1 INT

| VisRusher = Greg Bell

| VisRushStats = 21 CAR, 88 YDS, 1 TD

| VisReceiver = Henry Ellard

| VisReceivingStats = 6 REC, 74 TDS, 1 TD

| HomePasser = Joe Montana

| HomePassStats = 15/26, 171 YDS

| HomeRusher = Roger Craig

| HomeRushStats = 16 CAR, 51 YDS

| HomeReceiver = John Taylor

| HomeReceivingStats = 5 REC, 54 YDS

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=LARams|HomeName=SF|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=6:17

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| yards=23

| Kicker=Cofer

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=11:02

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=38

| DriveTime=

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| Receiver=Johnson

| QB=Everett

| yards=16

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=7

| Home=3

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=5:23

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=12

| DriveLength=77

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Rathman

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=7

| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=1:13

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=11

| DriveLength=74

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Ellard

| QB=Everett

| yards=9

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=14

| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:20

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=2

| DriveLength=19

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Bell

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=21

| Home=10

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=0:03

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=3

| DriveLength=38

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=46

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=21

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=5:28

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=9

| DriveLength=66

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Johnson

| QB=Everett

| yards=11

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=28

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=2:40

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=6

| DriveLength=15

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=49

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=31

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=10:20

| Team=Rams

| DrivePlays=13

| DriveLength=65

| DriveTime=

| Type=RecTD

| Receiver=Johnson

| QB=Everett

| yards=5

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Lansford

| Visitor=38

| Home=13

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=0:09

| Team=49ers

| DrivePlays=8

| DriveLength=66

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=36

| Kicker=Cofer

| Visitor=38

| Home=16

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{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=38|Home=16}}

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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.

{{1988 NFC West standings}}

Passing

Rushing