1987 San Francisco 49ers season

The 1987 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League and their 42nd overall. The 49ers won the division for the second consecutive season, ended the season as the top seed in the NFC and were heavily favored to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. The season ended with an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the playoffs.

1987 San Francisco 49ers season
Owner	Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.
General manager	John McVay
Head coach	Bill Walsh
Defensive coordinator	George Seifert
Home field	Candlestick Park
Results
Record	13–2
Division place	1st NFC West
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. Vikings) 24–36
Pro Bowlers	QB Joe Montana WR Jerry Rice RB Roger Craig NT Michael Carter FS Ronnie Lott
← 1986 49ers seasons 1988 →

The season

The 49ers lost the first game of the season to Pittsburgh. In their second game, against Cincinnati, it appeared that they were going to start the season 0–2, down by 6 points with just 2 seconds to play. However, quarterback Joe Montana threw a 25-yard pass to wide receiver Jerry Rice as time expired. The 49ers used the victory as a springboard to a 13–1 run to end the season with the best record in the NFL.

The 49ers scored 459 points, the most in the NFL in 1987; they also scored 206 more points than they allowed, best in the league as well. The 49ers gained the most total yards (5,987), the most rushing yards (2,237) and second most passing yards (3,750) in the NFL in 1987.^[1]

Wide receiver Jerry Rice was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award (for Player of the Year). Rice caught 22 touchdown passes in a strike-shortened 12 games (1 game was canceled because of the strike, and Rice didn't play in the next 3 games while the strike was on). This record stood for twenty years.^[a] Rice led the league in receiving yards per game (89.8), total touchdowns (23: 22 receiving, 1 rushing), and points scored (138). Quarterback Joe Montana (who crossed the picket line during the strike) led the league with 31 touchdown passes. He also led the league in passer rating (102.1) and completion percentage (66.8%).

The San Francisco defense was also very strong, surrendering the fewest total yards (4,095), fewest passing yards (2,484) and fifth-fewest rushing yards (1,611) in the NFL in 1987. The 1987 49ers have the best passer rating differential (offensive passer rating minus opponents' combined passer rating) of the Live Ball Era (1978–present), with +52.4.^[2]

Offseason

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected quarterback Vinny Testaverde first overall in the 1987 NFL draft, Tampa Bay quarterback Steve Young was traded to the 49ers on April 24, 1987. The Buccaneers received 2nd and 4th round draft picks in the trade, which they used to draft Miami linebacker Winston Moss, and Arizona State wide receiver Bruce Hill.

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 NFL draft

• Harris Barton was the first offensive tackle selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the 49ers since Forrest Blue was selected in 1968.^[3]

1987 San Francisco 49ers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	22	Harris Barton *	Tackle	North Carolina
1	25	Terrence Flagler	Running back	Clemson
2	37	Jeff Bregel	Guard	USC
5	134	Paul Jokisch	Wide receiver	Michigan
6	162	Bob White	Linebacker	Penn State
7	189	Steve DeLine	Kicker	Colorado State
8	217	David Grayson	Linebacker	Fresno State
9	245	Jonathan Shelley	Defensive back	Ole Miss
10	275	John Paye	Quarterback	Stanford
11	301	Calvin Nicholas	Wide receiver	Grambling State
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Source:^[4]

Personnel

Staff

1987 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office Owner – Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. President – Bill Walsh 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 Executive administrative assistant – Norb Hecker Head coaches Head coach – Bill Walsh Offensive coaches Quarterbacks – Mike Holmgren Running backs – Sherman Lewis Receivers – Dennis Green Offensive line – Bobb McKittrick

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – George Seifert Defensive line – Fred von Appen Linebackers – Bill McPherson Defensive backs – Ray Rhodes Defensive assistant – Tommy Hart Special teams coaches Special teams – Lynn Stiles Strength and conditioning Physical development coordinator – Jerry Attaway

NFL replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

1987 San Francisco 49ers replacement roster
Quarterbacks 7 Mark Stevens 10 Ed Blount 11 Bob Gagliano 15 Paul Berner 16 Joe Montana Running backs 23 Tony Cherry 24 Harry Sydney FB 24 Bernard Moore 25 Doug DuBose 25 Del Rodgers 28 Joe Cribbs 28 Don Roberts 33 Roger Craig 35 James Mackey 47 Andre Hardy 48 Mike Varajon 83 Carl Monroe Wide receivers 17 Tony Gladney 29 Terry Greer 32 Ray Brown 82 Kevin Collins 83 Carl Monroe 84 Dennis Allen 84 Thomas Henley 86 Thai Ivory 86 James Hardy 87 Dwight Clark 88 Jeff Tiefenthaller Tight ends 40 Mike Wells 47 Chris Dressel 81 Russ Francis 89 Ron Heller 90 Darren Long		Offensive linemen 51 Michael Durette 60 Chuck Thomas C 62 Kevin Lamar 63 Tracy Franz LT 65 Tom Long 65 Kevin Reach 66 Mark Cochran 66 Limbo Parks 78 Gary Hoffman Defensive linemen 61 Joe Drake 64 Mike Durrette 67 Pete Kugler LDE 75 Greg Lifer 76 Dwaine Board RDE 76 Terry Jackson 79 Glenn Collins 92 Reno Patterson 93 Clyde Glover 94 Bob Standifar 96 Elston Ridgle 97 Doug Mikolas NT		Linebackers 51 Carl Keever 52 George Cooper LOLB 54 Ron Hadley LILB 56 Darren Comeaux 56 Steve Meadow 57 Tom Cousineau RILB 59 Keith Browner 58 James Johnson 90 Kevin Thompson 90 Mark Korff 98 Jerry Keeble ROLB 99 Greg Wilks Defensive backs 20 Kevin Pollard 21 Eric Wright 22 Jonathon Shelley 25 Del Rodgers 26 John Butler 31 Derrick Martin 36 Darryl Pollard LCB 43 Dana McLemore RCB 43 John Sullivan 45 Matt Courtney 47 John Faylor FS 49 Jeff Fuller SS Special teams 5 Jeff Brockhaus K 6 Louis Berry P 9 Jim Asmus P

Roster

1987 San Francisco 49ers roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 11 Bob Gagliano 16 Joe Montana 15 John Paye 8 Steve Young Running backs (RB) 33 Roger Craig 28 Joe Cribbs 44 Tom Rathman FB Wide receivers (WR) 87 Dwight Clark 84 Ken Margerum 80 Jerry Rice 85 Mike Wilson 82 John Taylor Tight ends (TE) 81 Russ Francis 86 John Frank 84 Brent Jones

Offensive linemen (OL) 65 Jeff Bregel G 69 Bruce Collie G 71 Keith Fahnhorst T 51 Randy Cross C 68 Tim Long C 77 Bubba Paris T 61 Jesse Sapolu G 60 Chuck Thomas C 74 Steve Wallace T Defensive linemen (DL) 76 Dwaine Board DE 95 Michael Carter NT 75 Kevin Fagan DE 93 Clyde Glover DE 94 Charles Haley DE 67 Pete Kugler DE 97 Doug Mikolas NT

Linebackers (LB) 56 Darren Comeaux 51 George Cooper 50 Riki Ellison ILB 54 Ron Hadley LB 55 Jim Fahnhorst ILB 94 Charles Haley OLB 90 Todd Shell OLB 99 Michael Walter ILB Defensive backs (DB) 29 Don Griffin CB 49 Jeff Fuller S 46 Tom Holmoe S 42 Ronnie Lott S 22 Tim McKyer CB 43 Dana McLemore CB 20 Tory Nixon CB 36 Darryl Pollard CB 21 Eric Wright CB Special teams 4 Max Runager P 14 Ray Wersching K

Reserve 83 Derrick Crawford WR (IR) 62 Guy McIntyre G (IR) 88 Calvin Nicholas WR (IR) 58 Keena Turner OLB (IR) Rookies in italics

Regular season

In 1987, Jerry Rice led the NFL with 22 touchdown receptions. The runner-up was Philadelphia Eagles receiver Mike Quick with 11. This marked the first time in NFL history that a category leader doubled the total of his nearest competitor.^[5]

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 13	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 17–30	0–1	Three Rivers Stadium	55,735
2	September 20	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 27–26	1–1	Riverfront Stadium	53,498
–	September 27	Philadelphia Eagles	Canceled
3	October 5	at New York Giants	W 41–21	2–1	Giants Stadium	16,471
4	October 11	at Atlanta Falcons	W 25–17	3–1	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium	8,684
5	October 18	St. Louis Cardinals	W 34–28	4–1	Candlestick Park	38,094
6	October 25	at New Orleans Saints	W 24–22	5–1	Louisiana Superdome	60,497
7	November 1	at Los Angeles Rams	W 31–10	6–1	Anaheim Stadium	55,328
8	November 8	Houston Oilers	W 27–20	7–1	Candlestick Park	59,740
9	November 15	New Orleans Saints	L 24–26	7–2	Candlestick Park	60,436
10	November 22	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 24–10	8–2	Tampa Stadium	63,211
11	November 29	Cleveland Browns	W 38–24	9–2	Candlestick Park	60,248
12	December 6	at Green Bay Packers	W 23–12	10–2	Lambeau Field	51,118
13	December 14	Chicago Bears	W 41–0	11–2	Candlestick Park	63,509
14	December 20	Atlanta Falcons	W 35–7	12–2	Candlestick Park	54,698
15	December 27	Los Angeles Rams	W 48–0	13–2	Candlestick Park	57,950
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

1 2 3 4 Total • 49ers 0 7 13 7 27 Bengals 10 10 0 6 26 Date: September 20 Location: Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio Game start: 1:00 p.m. Game attendance: 53,498 Game weather: 62 °F or 16.7 °C, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn) Referee: Bob McElwee TV announcers (CBS): Tim Ryan and Joe Theismann

Scoring summary 1 CIN Larry Kinnebrew 2-yard run (Jim Breech kick) Bengals 7–0 1 CIN Jim Breech 23-yard field goal Bengals 10–0 2 SF Mike Wilson 38-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) Bengals 10–7 2 CIN Rodney Holman 46-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Jim Breech kick) Bengals 17–7 2 CIN Jim Breech 42-yard field goal Bengals 20–7 3 SF Jerry Rice 34-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) Bengals 20–14 3 SF Ray Wersching 24-yard field goal Bengals 20–17 3 SF Ray Wersching 31-yard field goal Tie 20–20 4 CIN Jim Breech 41-yard field goal Bengals 23–20 4 CIN Jim Breech 46-yard field goal Bengals 26–20 4 SF Jerry Rice 25-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) 49ers 27–26

^[6]

Standings

NFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Francisco 49ers(1)	13	2	0	.867	5–1	10–1	459	253	W6
New Orleans Saints(4)	12	3	0	.800	4–1	8–3	426	283	W9
Los Angeles Rams	6	9	0	.400	1–5	5–7	317	361	L2
Atlanta Falcons	3	12	0	.200	1–4	3–8	205	436	L3

Postseason

See also: 1987–88 NFL playoffs

Schedule

Round	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	Record	Venue
Divisional	January 9	Minnesota Vikings (5)	L 24–36	0–1	Candlestick Park

Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (5) Minnesota Vikings

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	17	10	6	36
49ers	3	0	14	7	24

NFC Divisional Round: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

• Date: January 9, 1988
• Game time: 1 p.m. PST
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (CBS): Tim Ryan and Joe Theismann

The 13–2 49ers suffered one of the biggest upsets in playoff history as the 8–7 Vikings came into Candlestick and beat the 49ers 36–24. Vikings QB Wade Wilson threw for 298 yards, and Anthony Carter caught 10 passes for 227 yards. Joe Montana struggled so much that Steve Young came in to relieve him. Though he played better, it was not enough. The Vikings took a 20–3 halftime lead, and held on for the major upset.

Awards and records

• Jerry Rice, Franchise Record, Most Touchdowns in One Season, 23 touchdowns (22 receiving, 1 rushing)^[7]
• Jerry Rice, Franchise Record, Most Points in One Season, 138 points^[7]
• Jerry Rice, NFL Leader, 23 touchdowns^[8]
• Jerry Rice, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• Jerry Rice, Bert Bell Award^[9]

Notes

1. This record was broken by Randy Moss in 2007, with his 22nd and 23rd TD receptions occurring in the 16th and final game of the season.

References

1. Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1987 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics
2. Byrne, Kerry (June 11, 2012). "40 and Fabulous: in praise of passer rating". Cold Hard Football Facts. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
3. 1990 NFL Pro Set Harris Barton trading card, Card No. 284, Pro Set Properties
4. "1987 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
5. Ferraro, Michael X.; Veneziano, John (2007). Numbelievable!. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 147. ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0.
6. "San Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati Bengals - September 20th, 1987". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
7. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 142
8. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 447
9. "Bert Bell Award – Professional Player of the Year: Past Recipients". Maxwell Football Club. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2022.

External links

• 1987 49ers on Pro Football Reference
• 49ers Schedule on jt-sw.com