Super Bowl XXIV

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Lore & Background

The 49ers entered the game seeking to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the Pittsburgh Steelers, following their victory in Super Bowl XXIII. They finished the 1989 regular season with a league-best 14–2 record. Quarterback Joe Montana, who set eight player and additional records during the game, was named Super Bowl MVP for the third and final time in his career. Throughout the game, the 49ers displayed an insurmountable dominance over the Broncos. Denver's only score of the first half was a field goal made by kicker David Treadwell halfway through the first quarter, making the game 27–3 by halftime. In the second half, the 49ers picked up where they left off. With the exception of Denver's only touchdown of the night in the third quarter, which occurred following a pass interference call on San Francisco's defense that set them up to score on the 49ers 1-yard line, the 49ers only continued to take advantage of Denver's offensive struggles, delivering multiple touchdowns in the remaining two quarters. Now comfortable with their lead of 55–10, 49ers backup quarterback Steve Young replaced Joe Montana. Following numerous punts by the Broncos, Young led the team to Denver's 30-yard line as the game ended.

In Their Own Story

The 49ers' offense was just as dominating as it was during the previous regular season. Quarterback Joe Montana threw for 3,512 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, giving him what was then the highest single-season quarterback rating in NFL history (112.4). Montana also rushed for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns, and earned both the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Wide receiver Jerry Rice had another outstanding season, catching 82 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns. Running back Roger Craig was the team's leading rusher with 1,054 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he recorded 49 receptions for 473 yards and another touchdown. Wide receiver John Taylor had a breakout season, catching 60 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning 36 punts for 417 yards. Tight end Brent Jones recorded 40 receptions for 500 yards. Fullback Tom Rathman had the best season of his career, rushing for 305 yards and catching 73 passes for 616 yards. Kicker Mike Cofer scored 136 points while making a career-high 80.6% of his field goals. Even Montana's backup, Steve Young, had a great year, throwing for 1,001 yards and 8 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions, while also rushing for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. With all of these weapons, San Francisco's offense led the league in total yards from scrimmage (6,268) and scoring (442 points). The 49ers' defense allowed the third-fewest points in the NFL (253). Defensive end Pierce Holt recorded 10.5 sacks, as did linebacker Charles Haley. In addition to Haley, their linebacking corps was anchored by Keena Turner, Matt Millen, and Bill Romanowski. Future Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott led the team with 5 interceptions. Defensive backs Eric Wright and Chet Brooks also combined for 5 interceptions between them.

Reader's Guide

The 49ers started out their postseason by blowing out the Minnesota Vikings, 41–13. Minnesota started out the game by marching 70 yards on their opening drive and scoring a field goal. The 49ers then advanced to Super Bowl XXIV, where they faced the Denver Broncos. The Broncos were trying to avoid becoming the second team, after the Vikings, to lose a fourth Super Bowl. The Broncos were handed their fourth Super Bowl loss in franchise history, following losses in 1977's Super Bowl XII, 1986's Super Bowl XXI, and 1987's Super Bowl XXII. Super Bowl XXIV has been ranked as one of the worst Super Bowls, due to the 49ers' dominance over the Broncos. The game's broadcast on CBS was watched by around 73.85 million viewers, the smallest Super Bowl audience since 1969's Super Bowl III.

Did You Know?

• Joe Montana set eight player and additional records during the game.
• The 49ers became only the second NFL/NFC team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II (1968).
• The game set Super Bowl records for most points scored by one team (55), largest margin of victory (45 points), and most touchdowns scored by one team (8).
• The broadcast on CBS was watched by around 73.85 million viewers, though several intervening Super Bowls had smaller audiences.
• The Louisiana Superdome previously hosted Super Bowls XII, XV, and XX before this game.