Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 most heartbreaking playoff losses in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks talks with the referee after being called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers late in the fourth quarter during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks talks with the referee after being called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for taunting wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers late in the fourth quarter during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 17: Running back Ricky Watters #32 of the San Francisco 49ers run past defensive tackle Russell Maryland #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during the 1992 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 17, 1993 in San Francisco, California. The Cowboys won 30-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 17: Running back Ricky Watters #32 of the San Francisco 49ers run past defensive tackle Russell Maryland #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during the 1992 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 17, 1993 in San Francisco, California. The Cowboys won 30-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

No. 4: 1992 NFC Championship Game versus the Dallas Cowboys

The Giants might have pulled off a great victory in 2012. But the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the 49ers in the 1992 NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park burns a little more.

Why? Well, it ended one dynasty and began another. And San Francisco was no longer the NFL’s top dog.

The only point at which the Niners led was in the first quarter, thanks to a 1-yard scramble by quarterback Steve Young. And then Dallas took over, with quarterback Troy Aikman and running back Emmitt Smith doing the lion’s share of work.

In the fourth quarter, the 49ers found themselves trailing 24-13. But the Niners looked like their vintage selves, driving 93 yards and capping it off with a 5-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Jerry Rice at the 4:22 mark.

All that was needed was a defensive stop and another touchdown. Easy, right?

Well, it didn’t happen.

Cowboys wideout Kelvin Martin scored three plays later, putting Dallas up 30-20 and ending the Niners dynasty of the 1980s.

Worse yet, this was the game in which then-Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson infamously said, “How ’bout them Cowboys!” when the game was over.

No 49ers fan ever likes hearing that.