49ers: Top 30 moments in San Francisco franchise history

San Francisco 49ers: Top 30 all-time moments in franchise history

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Former San Francisco 49er players Steve Young, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana stand with a Super Bowl trophy during a public memorial service for former 49ers coach Bill Walsh August 10, 2007 at Monster Park in San Francisco, California. NFL Hall of Famer Bill Walsh, who was known by many as 'The Genius' for leading the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl championships, died last week at the age of 75 after a long battle with leukemia. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

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Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of statues of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana (left) and coach Bill Walsh at the 49ers museum before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 20: Joe Montana’s 1986 Return vs. the Cardinals

Quarterback Joe Montana had been sidelined for eight weeks prior to San Francisco’s Week 10 matchup versus the St. Louis Cardinals on November 9, 1986.

Following Montana’s recovery from back surgery, the Hall of Fame quarterback led the 49ers to a 43-17 demolishing of the Cardinals, which helped San Francisco finish the season with a 10-5-1 record.

Montana passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns against one interception during the contest, and all three of those TD grabs came courtesy of wide receiver Jerry Rice who had 156 yards on four catches.

“Coming back from the back surgery that first game was a little worrisome at least until I took the first hit even though I didn’t think anything was going to happen,” said Montana (h/t Andrew Pentis of 49ers.com). “But I was only 187 pounds coming back there I was really wasn’t back to my full weight and strength.

“Fortunately for me, things fell into place.”

They did indeed.