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

By Trevor Irvine

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)
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. 4: 2002 NFC Wild Card vs. New York Giants

Where were you during this game? Did you give up hope after the 49ers fell behind 38-14 in the third quarter?

Only a real ardent 49ers fans stuck through this game until the end. The ultimate embarrassment seemed on the cards, especially after New York Giants running back Tiki Barber blew a kiss to the Candlestick crowd after a long touchdown run put the Giants up 35-14.

But then two Niners stood up to be counted: quarterback Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens. Owens had already been a huge 49er hero after the “Catch II” in 1998, but this was Garcia’s time to shine.

Garcia had never won a playoff game prior to this matchup, and he led from the front going 27-of-44 for 331 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards, and San Francisco scored the final 25 points in the second half to complete the second-biggest playoff game comeback in NFL history.

Owens was a monster. He finished with nine catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns, where he simply either ran past or through Giants defenders.

The 49ers won the game 39-38 after a Giants botched field-goal attempt snap and failed Hail Mary throw. This game easily goes down as one of the best and most memorable in the history of Candlestick Park.