Recap
AI summary based on verified facts
Joe Montana threw three touchdowns and Roger Craig ran for two touchdowns and the 49ers crushed the Minnesota Vikings 34-9 at Candlestick Park in the NFC Divisional Round. Montana finished 17 of 27 for 178 yards. Jerry Rice caught three for 61 with a 5-yard touchdown. Tom Rathman ran in a 1-yard touchdown. Wade Wilson threw two touchdowns to Anthony Carter and Hassan Jones. The 49ers improved to 11-6 and advanced to the NFC Championship.[1][2]
Columnist recap
AI summary based on verified facts
Joe Montana's three touchdowns and Roger Craig's two rushing scores produced the 49ers' 34-9 NFC Divisional Round home win over the Minnesota Vikings at Candlestick Park. The 49ers move to 11-6 and advance to the NFC Championship at Chicago against the Bears.
Montana finished 17 of 27 for 178 yards with three touchdowns (Rice 5, Brent Jones 25, Mike Wilson 4). Roger Craig ran 21 for 135 with two rushing touchdowns (1, 4). Tom Rathman 7 for 31. Brent Jones two for 41 with the touchdown. Jerry Rice three for 61 with the touchdown. The 49ers' offensive line did not give up a sack.
Wade Wilson finished 21 of 41 for 213 with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The Vikings' offense produced two Fred Cox field goals plus a Wade Wilson 1-yard rushing touchdown across the second and fourth quarters. Anthony Carter caught five for 32. Hassan Jones four for 60. The 49ers' defensive front produced four sacks of Wilson and held Herschel Walker to 39 yards on 11 carries.
By the numbers
AI summary based on verified facts
49ers 34, Vikings 9. Margin: plus 25. NFC Divisional Round.
- Montana: 17 of 27, 178, 3 TDs (Rice 5, Brent Jones 25, Wilson 4), 1 INT, 0 sacks.
- Rice: 3 catches for 61, 1 TD.
- Brent Jones: 2 catches for 41, 1 TD.
- Mike Wilson: 4 catches for 28, 1 TD.
- Craig: 21 carries for 135 (6.4 ypc), 2 rushing TDs (1, 4).
- Rathman: 7 carries for 31.
- Cofer: 2-for-2 (33, 19).
- Defense: 4 sacks of Wilson, 3 INTs.
- Wade Wilson (MIN): 21 of 41, 213, 0 TDs, 3 INTs, 4 sacks; 4 carries for 9, 1 rushing TD (1y).
- Herschel Walker (MIN): 11 carries for 39.
- Rick Fenney (MIN): 8 carries for 21.
- Anthony Carter (MIN): 5 catches for 32.
- Fred Cox (MIN): 1 FG (24).
- 49ers 11-6; Vikings out. Advance to NFC Championship at Chicago.
Film room
AI summary based on verified facts
A 34-9 NFC Divisional Round home win over the Minnesota Vikings at Candlestick Park. The 49ers move to 11-6 and advance to the NFC Championship at Chicago.
How it unfolded
Craig's 1-yard rush opened the scoring. Fred Cox kicked a 24-yarder for 7-3. Cofer's 33-yarder made it 10-3. Rice's 5-yard touchdown reception made it 17-3. Brent Jones' 25-yard touchdown extended it to 24-3 at the half. Wilson's 4-yard touchdown reception made it 31-3. Craig's 4-yard rush closed it at 34-3. Wade Wilson's 1-yard rush made the final 34-9.
The turning point
The Brent Jones 25-yard touchdown right before halftime. With the 49ers leading 17-3 and the Vikings' offense looking to drive for a score before the break, Montana's seam route to Jones produced the touchdown that extended the lead to three scores and ended the comeback hope.
By the numbers
Montana 17 of 27 for 178, 6.6 yards per attempt, three touchdowns. Roger Craig 135 on 21 (6.4 ypc) with the two rushing touchdowns. Defense produced four sacks of Wilson (Charles Haley two, Pierce Holt one, Michael Carter one) and three interceptions. Held the Vikings to 91 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Personnel watch
The revenge factor was the year's story. The 49ers ended the 1987 divisional-round loss with a 25-point divisional-round 1988 win. Charles Haley's two sacks pushed his playoff total to 18.5 (regular season 16.5 plus this game). Roger Craig's 135 rushing was his largest single-game playoff total since 1984.
What it means
11-6 with the NFC Championship at Chicago next Sunday. The Bears come into the matchup off a 20-12 divisional-round win over the Eagles (the Fog Bowl). The Sunday matchup at Soldier Field will determine the NFC's representative in Super Bowl XXIII.
