San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 Moments in Franchise’s Super Bowl History
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Joe Montana Demolishes the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV
Result: 49ers 55, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XXIV would feature two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Joe Montana and John Elway. This iconic matchup seemed more exciting on paper than it did in the box score. The score provides everything one needs to know about which quarterback had the edge.
Montana, who rightfully earned the game’s MVP nod, completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns against zero interceptions.
Oh, and Montana never threw a Super Bowl interception during his storied career.
Not surprisingly, wide receiver Jerry Rice was the primary recipient of Montana’s efforts. He finished the game with three touchdown grabs on 148 yards and could have also easily been considered the game’s MVP.
But the signature drive from Montana came in the second quarter when San Francisco led 13-3. Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com described the play:
"They embarked on a 14-play, 7-minute drive that mainly featured fullback Tom Rathman. He accounted for 42 of the drive’s 69 yards and was Joe Montana’s only receiver on the march. He also made the big catch of the day, spearing a 9-yard pass thrown behind him to get the ball to the Broncos’ 3. Rathman would then score a play later on a 1-yard plunge."
How did Montana’s counterpart do? Elway passed for a mere 108 yards and was intercepted twice with zero touchdowns to show for his efforts.
San Francisco’s demolishing of Denver should stand as a clinic in passing and as a beacon to legendary 49ers quarterbacking performances.
Next: Defense Holds Firm in Super Bowl XVI