Ranking the 5 Greatest Wins in San Francisco 49ers Playoff History

Saturday night we witnessed one of the most epic playoff games in NFL history, as the San Francisco 49ers were able to outscore Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, 36-32.

In my opinion, this is one of greatest playoff games in San Francisco history—and quite possibly one of the greatest in NFL history. 

In that spirit, let's take a look at the greatest playoff wins in the history of the 49ers.

Here are the top five greatest wins in San Francisco 49ers history.

5. 2012 NFC Divisional Round vs. New Orleans Saints

In a game where Alex Smith emerged as a hero, the San Francisco 49ers outscored one of the most dominant offenses in the NFL, the New Orleans Saints. 

With under four minutes to go, the lead had changed four times with the 49ers ultimately coming out on top when Smith connected with Vernon Davis on a 14-yard touchdown with just nine seconds left to go. 

This one may be a newbie, but it was one of the greatest playoff games that I have ever seen.

4. 1994 NFC Championship vs. Dallas Cowboys

Some argue that this was the actual Super Bowl of the 1994 season. 

The San Francisco 49ers were able to embarrass their arch rival, the Dallas Cowboys, 38-28.

San Fran scored 21 points in the first quarter and simply did not stop. 

Steve Young completed 13 of his 29 passes for 155 yards while accumulating 47 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the real story was their defense. San Francisco forced three interceptions out of Troy Aikman, as Eric Davis turned one of those into a 44-yard touchdown return. 

With the victory, the 49ers went on to beat the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX. 

3. Super Bowl XIX

In a year where Dan Marino was virtually unstoppable, as he threw for an NFL record 5,084 yards, while leading the Miami Dolphins to a 14-2 record and ultimately to Super Bowl XIX, the San Francisco 49ers were able to prevail. 

In Super Bowl XIX, the 49ers held the Dolphins to just 16 points as Marino was picked off two times, as Joe Montana was simply perfect as he completed 24 of his 35 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in San Fran's 38-16 victory. 

2. Super Bowl XXIII

The Super Bowl where Joe Montana pointed out John Candy in the stands and then led his San Francisco 49ers on an 80-yard touchdown drive to give them the lead for good over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Montana completed 23 of his 36 passes 357 yards and two touchdowns, while Jerry Rice snagged 11 of his passes for a whopping 215 yards and a score. This was a game where two of the NFL's greatest players showcased their talents. 

Super Bowl XXIII was San Francisco's second-consecutive Super Bowl as well as their fourth in nine years. 

1. 1981 NFC Championship

Just sit back and watch the video.

"The Catch." That's all you need to know. 

This was the greatest playoff game in San Francisco 49ers history.