Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 most heartbreaking moments in franchise history

By Nathan Bannerman

Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks against Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks against Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks has words with wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4: The 2014 NFC Championship game is one of the most heartbreaking losses in 49ers playoff memory

Down 23-17 in the final minutes of the 2014 NFC Championship Game, the 49ers were driving down the field against the Seattle Seahawks.

Former quarterback Colin Kaepernick had his offense rolling going 5-of-7 for 56 yards passing with a 4-yard run on the final drive.

With the ball on the Seahawks 18 yard-line and needing a converted touchdown to advance to the Super Bowl, Kaepernick dropped back to pass. His intended target was a wide receiver, Michael Crabtree. The rest is history:

You can say Kaepernick underthrew the ball. You can say defensive back Richard Sherman was in the right position at the right time. Whatever you decide, the loss still hurts. It might sting even more than two Super Bowl losses.

The loss to the Seahawks ended the 49ers’ chances of being in back-to-back Super Bowls. It also put a stamp on head coach Jim Harbaugh, though he stayed one more season the moment of three-straight playoff appearances was over.

Even though Sherman eventually moved over to the good side in 2018, what happened early in 2014 is still not easy to forget.