Giants vs. 49ers: A Playoff History

When the New York Football Giants and the San Francisco 49ers meet on Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park, they will rekindle a classic NFC match up and add to the distinguished playoff lore between the two historic franchises.  

San Francisco joined the All American Football League in 1946 and then the NFL in 1950. They have won five conference championships and five Super Bowls.  

The New York Football Giants are the fourth oldest team in the league, winning seven titles in total, including three Lombardi Trophy's in the Super Bowl era.

San Francisco holds a 4-3 advantage over the Giants in their seven postseason meetings. The zenith of their bi-coastal rivalry came in the early 1980's when both teams consistently ranked amongst the league's best.  

Five times in the ten years from 1981 to 1990 did Bill Walsh's West Coast offense led by Joe Montana and Jerry RIce meet the dominant defenses of Bill Parcells and Lawrence Taylor. 

Their divisional round meeting in 1984, a 21-10 victory for the Niners on their way to a second of four Super Bowl victories in the decade, while memorable, didn't crack my list. Also the 44-3 blowout for the Niners in 1993, the last game for Giant legends Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor, is not featured here.

Still plenty of iconic moments and football greats have filled this series with unforgettable drama.  

Here are five of the best playoff games between the 49ers and Giants. 

1985 Wildcard Playoffs

Giants 17-49ers 3

Dec. 29, 1985, Wild Card round, Giants Stadium

It was the Giants first home playoff game since 1962 and they were out to avenge the loss of the previous year to the Joe Montana-led 49ers.  

The Giants defense limited Montana, Roger Craig and company to only three points, their lowest offensive output of the season.  

Phil Simms connected for two scores, one a memorable one handed grab by Mark Bavaro in the second quarter after a Montana interception and again on another throw in the third quarter to Don Hasselbeck after a 77-yard drive. 

1986 Divisional Playoffs

Giants 49-49ers 3

Jan. 4, 1987, Divisional round, Giants Stadium

The inflated score line fails to explain a number of peculiar circumstances from this 1986 divisional playoff meeting at the old Meadowlands.  

Phil Simms only completed nine of 14 passes for 134 yards but connected for four touchdown passes in the blowout.  

Before Joe Montana was knocked out the game on a vicious hit by Jim Burt, he completed what appeared to be a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Rice on the Niners first drive only for the Hall of Fame receiver to inexplicably fumble the ball through the end zone for a touch back.  

That Giants team went on to defeat the Redskins in the NFC title game before smothering John Elway and his Denver Broncos for their first Super Bowl win. 

1981 Divisional Playoff

49ers 38-Giants 24

Jan. 3, 1982, Divisional round, Candlestick Park

In his first playoff start, Montana racked up 304 yards and 2 touchdowns against the G-men. Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott contributed on the defense with two interceptions, one which he returned for a touchdown as the 49ers were in control throughout at Candlestick Park.  

The next week, San Fran took on the Cowboys in the famous "The Catch" NFC title game against the Cowboys. They went on to win the franchises' first Super Bowl and the first of four, firmly laying the foundation for the dynasty of the decade.

2002 Wild Card Playoffs

49ers 39-Giants 38

Jan. 5, 2003, Wild Card round, Candlestick Park

Down 38-14 late in the third quarter, the Niners produced the second largest comeback in playoff history.

Jeff Garcia rushed for a score and connected with Terrell Owens and Tai Streets on touchdown catches to lead the 49ers all the way back.  

Still the Giants drove to within winning field goal range in the final minute of regulation.  

Then chaos ensued.

The snap was botched so that Matt Bryant never got a look at the field goal attempt. Holder Matt Allen defied Jim Fassel's wishes to take a knee and rolled right looking in desperation for downfield options.  

He found and delivered a rainbow pass in the vicinity of Rick Seubert who was dragged down by 49ers linebacker Chike Okeafor. The zebras threw a flag but the foul was against the Giants, as the officials said that Seubert was an ineligible receiver downfield. With no time left, the game was over.

Seubert had, however, checked in on the play and the league admitted as such the next day, recognizing that the flag should have been against San Fran for pass interference costing the Giants the chance at winning this classic game in the rivalry..."Bummer"! 

1990 NFC Championship

Giants 15- 49ers 13

Jan. 20, 1991, NFC Championship, Candlestick Park

It was a true clash of the titans. In the regular season, New York were 13-3 while San Francisco finished the season 14-2.

The 49ers were on course for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl triumph after handling the Redskins in the divisional round. In came the Giants to Candlestick Park for the second time that year.

The game was physical battle, with Montana connecting with John Taylor for a 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter to take a slender advantage into the final 15 minutes.  

The Giants pass rush was relentless throughout and a breakthrough the Niner offensive line in the fourth resulted in Leonard Marshall's devastating blindside hit on Montana, knocking him out of the game.

Backup quarterback Steve Young came in and was guiding the squad late with a 13-12 lead, running out the clock on Giants championship hopes until a routine Roger Craig run up the middle resulted in a fumble turned the fortunes of both teams.

Seven plays later, Matt Bahr split the uprights from 42-yards away as time expired on the game and the Montana-led dynasty of the '80's.