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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most memorable plays of the decade

By Timmy Gibson

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 14: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass from the pocket in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 14: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass from the pocket in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

No. 1: The Vernon Post

George Kittle willing the 49ers to a win over the Saints wasn’t the only time both of these squads had a crazy, back-and-forth affair everyone could talk about for years.

Let’s rewind back to the 2012 playoffs. San Francisco was hosting the Saints in the divisional round, and the game turned into one of those epic contests you’d ever witness.

Alex Smith’s 28-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining appeared to be the game winner, and it likely would have made this list if the score stayed with the Niners in the lead. It didn’t, though, as Saints quarterback Drew Brees found tight end Jimmy Graham for a 66-yard go-ahead score to put New Orleans back on top.

With less than two minutes left, Smith and the 49ers were able to drive back down the length of the field.

Smith then found tight end Vernon Davis for one of the most memorable plays in franchise history, not just of the decade:

Some called it “The Vernon Post,” while others have put it alongside two of the other greatest moments in team history, calling it “The Catch III.”

Either way, this was the perfect cap off to one crazy playoff bout, which makes it stand alone as the best play of the decade for San Francisco.

Next. 49ers' 15 most infamous moments of the decade. dark

I hope these rankings have brought you through a fun stroll down memory lane of a great 49ers decade. Hopefully the 2020s rankings can have their most memorable play be a Super Bowl-winning one. I had a lot of fun putting this together, and I hope you all enjoyed it. I want to hear your most memorable plays, too! I know there are bound to be ones you think should have been included and weren’t, so let me know in the comments.