1990 San Francisco 49ers season

The 1990 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 45th overall. the team entered the 1990 season heavily favored to win their third consecutive Super Bowl. The season was highlighted by their victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 13. Throughout the season, the 49ers and the Giants were the two best teams in the NFL and they met again in the NFC Championship Game.

Between 1988 and 1990, the 49ers set a league record with 18 consecutive road victories. Jerry Rice had a career year by becoming the fourth receiver in the history of American football to have at least 100 receptions in one season. The 49ers won their fifth consecutive NFC West Division Title. Dating back to 1989, the 49ers completed a fifteen-game unbeaten streak in the regular season (5 victories in the last 5 games of 1989 and 10 victories in the first ten games of 1990).

The 49ers lost in the final seconds of the NFC Championship Game on a field goal by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, denying them a chance at a "three-peat" in the Super Bowl.

Following this season, the 49ers left team stalwarts Roger Craig (RB) and Ronnie Lott (FS) unprotected and let them go to the Los Angeles Raiders via Plan B free agency. Quarterback Joe Montana remained on the roster for the next two seasons, but never started another game for the 49ers. This would ultimately be the de facto final season for Montana as the 49ers starting quarterback, Montana would sit out all of 1991 and most of the 1992 season due to an elbow injury.

Montana had the NFL's highest salary in 1990 at $4 million, and the 49ers had the league's highest team payroll ($26.8 million).

Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons

 * October 14, 1990 – Joe Montana set a 49ers record by throwing for 476 yards in one game and throwing six touchdown passes.
 * October 14, 1990 – Jerry Rice set a 49ers record with 5 touchdown receptions and 30 points in one game.

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

 * November 4, 1990 – In a game versus the Green Bay Packers, Joe Montana threw for 411 yards and 3 touchdown passes.

Week 13: vs. New York Giants
It was the second highest rated Monday Night game ever at the time. The game had a 42% share and a 26.9 rating.

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals

 * December 9, 1990 – The 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. Mike Cofer kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 20–17 victory.

NFC Championship: vs. (2) New York Giants
Just like the regular season game between the two teams won by the 49ers 7–3, the championship game was mostly a defensive battle. San Francisco running back Roger Craig's fumble with 2:36 left in the game led to Giants kicker Matt Bahr's 42-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. Bahr was New York's only scorer with 5 (of 6) field goals. Despite not scoring a TD in eight quarters against the 49ers, the Giants moved on to Super Bowl XXV with their victory.

Awards and records

 * Led NFC with 353 points scored
 * Charles Haley, Led NFC, Sacks (16)
 * Charles Haley, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Ronnie Lott, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Joe Montana, AP NFL MVP
 * Joe Montana, Associated Press Athlete of the Year
 * Joe Montana, NFC Pro Bowl Selection, Injured, did not play
 * Joe Montana, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year
 * Guy McIntyre, NFC Pro Bowl
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receptions (100)
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receiving Yards (1,502)
 * Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, Receiving Touchdowns (13)
 * Jerry Rice, NFC Pro Bowl

Milestones

 * Jerry Rice, First 100 reception season