49ers: Top 10 playoff games in San Francisco history

San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 playoff games in franchise history

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 15: San Francisco 49ers owner, Eddie Debartolo, holds up the 1984 NFC Championship trophy in front of the fans prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on September 15, 1985 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 35-16. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

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No. 7: 1994 NFC Championship vs. Dallas Cowboys

The 49ers biggest rival in the 1990s was the Cowboys. They were the two best teams in the NFL over a three-year period. They had matched up in the 1992 and 1993 NFC Championship games, and the Niners lost on both occasions in excruciating fashion.

After spending money on free agents to beef up the team, there was no excuse to not beat the Cowboys. When they matched up at Candlestick Park, it was payback time for San Francisco.

The 49ers defense forced three first-quarter turnovers, which the offense converted into three touchdowns for a 21-0 lead, which was a NFC Championship game record for the biggest lead during the first quarter.

Though Steve Young had a modest game, going 13-of-29 for 155 yards and two touchdowns, the difference maker was the Niners defense which intercepted Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman three times, and sacked him four times.

This was the ultimate revenge game for the 49ers, who erased two years of heartache in a single game and proved, once and for all, that they could beat the Cowboys in a big game and that they were the best team in the NFL.

This was an easy game to include on this list, and could have been ranked even higher based on the revenge factor.