Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 10 teams in franchise history

By Robert Morrison

JAN 1990: THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY PRIOR TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 55-10 SUPER BOWL XXIV VICTORY OVER THE DENVER BRONCOS. MANDATORY CREDIT: RICK STEWART/ALLSPORT
JAN 1990: THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY PRIOR TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 55-10 SUPER BOWL XXIV VICTORY OVER THE DENVER BRONCOS. MANDATORY CREDIT: RICK STEWART/ALLSPORT /
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Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers follows his blocker offensive guard Randy Cross #51 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
Running back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers follows his blocker offensive guard Randy Cross #51 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 1984 49ers

Record: 15-1, won Super Bowl XIX

15 points for wins

5 points for divisional title

5 points for divisional-round win

10 points for NFC Championship game win

15 points for SB win

15 points for top 5 offense

15 points for top 5 defense

5 points for No. 1 defense

Total: 85

You’re probably thinking: “How can a team that finished 15-1 and won the Super Bowl only be No. 3 on the list?”

It got very close here at the top, with only eight points separating spot Nos. 3 and 1, so some of the individual accomplishments achieved by the top two teams set them slightly apart.

Nonetheless, the 1984 49ers were a dominant squad, finishing second in points scored and total yards on offense, and first in points allowed, averaging almost 30 points per game, while giving up fewer than 15 points per game.

They won the NFC West by five games over the Rams and coasted to playoff wins over the Giants and Bears en route to a Super Bowl matchup against the 14-2 Dolphins, who featured the top offense in the NFL.

The vaunted 49ers defense, led by defensive backs Ronnie Lott and Eric Wright, linebacker Keena Turner and safeties Dwight Hicks and Carlton Williamson, held the explosive Dolphins offense to 16 first-half points before shutting them out in the second half, eventually winning the game 38-16.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino never got back to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers, who only lost by three to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a late field goal, are one of the great teams of all time, but their lack of individual achievements that season leave them at No. 3 on this list.