SF 49ers: 10 most painful playoff losses in franchise history

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San Francisco running back Roger Craig (33) tries to run through New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images) /

No. 2: SF 49ers 1991 NFC Championship loss to NY Giants

Final Score: NY Giants 15, SF 49ers 13

Unfortunately for San Francisco fans, the Giants are one of those teams sending the SF 49ers to offseason heartbreak more than once during both teams’ elongated histories.

While the 2012 defeat at the hands of the G-Men was painful, the 1991 NFC Championship game loss was much more devastating. And just like that turnover-prone game from Kyle Williams, the 1991 version featured yet another costly fumble that turned the tide of the outcome away from the Niners.

Only that time, it was a San Francisco legend, running back Roger Craig, who coughed up the most infamous fumble in franchise history with mere minutes remaining in regulation and the SF 49ers holding firm to a 13-12 lead.

It was a hard-fought game up to that point, with the Niners being the only team to find the end zone that pitiful January afternoon. But despite the defensive showdown, San Francisco had the game won. The Giants weren’t able to get the SF 49ers off the field, and all Craig needed to do was secure possession to chew up the clock.

His fumble led to New York’s game-winning field goal, and the Giants would go on to win in the Super Bowl much like they did in 2012.

But what makes this even more painful is the loss cost San Francisco its chance at NFL history to become the first team ever to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.

It also marked the end of the SF 49ers dynasty from the previous decade.