49ers decade in review: Ranking the 15 most infamous moments

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tips the ball up in the air as outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 catches it to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

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Kyle Williams #10 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 8: Kyle Williams and the 2012 NFC Championship Game

The 49ers weren’t supposed to be that dominant in 2011, the first year under Jim Harbaugh. But thanks to a swarming defense, a resurgent Alex Smith and an overpowering offensive line, the Niners catapulted themselves from the 6-10 record in 2010 to a 13-3 finish the following year.

San Francisco then rode that hot momentum all the way to the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants, who were seen as massive underdogs.

But the Niners had a disadvantage, too. Just before the preseason, return man Ted Ginn Jr. had suffered an injury, which forced the team to field wide receiver Kyle Williams as a specialist on kickoffs and punts instead.

Williams suffered two critical gaffes in the game on punt-return attempts, one in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Giants to tie things up, then another in overtime.

New York then seized the opportunity to secure the game-winning field goal, then going on to win the Super Bowl.

This infamous moment forced 49ers fans who were old enough to recall that also-infamous fumble former running back Roger Craig had against the Giants in the same round of the playoffs way back in 1990.

Yeah, it hurt. Both times.