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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No. 14: Goal-Line Stand Leads to Win in Super Bowl XVI

Super Bowl XVI marked the first time San Francisco had made it to the NFL’s greatest level. And the victory would give the 49ers the first of five Super Bowl crowns in franchise history.

But it could have gone the other way.

The 49ers got out to a 20-0 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals by halftime. Quarterback Joe Montana had already scored two touchdowns — one through the air and another on the ground — and the 49ers looked well on their way to securing their first championship.

But the Bengals found some momentum in the second half.

The Bengals scored a touchdown on their opening drive in the third quarter. And came knocking on the 49ers end zone shortly thereafter. San Francisco needed a spirited goal-line stand to keep the score 20-7.

And the 49ers got one.

Linebacker Dan Bunz and defensive lineman Archie Reese both made key tackles to keep the Bengals out of the end zone per Kevin Lynch of SFGate.com.

Cincinnati would eventually cut the 49ers’ 26-21 lead, but this goal-line stand ensured San Francisco would go on to win its first Super Bowl after what had been an amazing season for the 49ers.