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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 Best Teams in Franchise History

By Peter Panacy

Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) chat before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) chat before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 9: The 1998 49ers

Regular-Season Record: 12-4, second place in the NFC West

1998 started off with a bang thanks to running back Garrison Hearst’s 96-yard touchdown run in overtime to seal San Francisco’s Week 1 victory over the New York Jets.

The 49ers went undefeated at home that season, and quarterback Steve Young led the way with 36 passing touchdowns against 12 interceptions. San Francisco also featured a duo of wide receivers Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens — each crested 1,000 receiving yards on the season and had a combined 23 touchdown grabs between them.

San Francisco’s offense was the primary factor that year as the defense, ranked No. 13 in the NFL, was a little more towards the center of the pack.

Still, the 49ers’ 1998 season is best remembered for the dramatic last-second victory in the Wild Card round over the Green Bay Packers and Young’s touchdown pass to Owens, which has earned the nickname, “The Catch II.”

The 49ers would lose to the Atlanta Falcons the next week to end the season. But this team still stands large in Niner lore.

Next: No. 8