The 49ers (2-0) host the New Orleans Saints (0-2) at Candlestick Park on Sun September 16, 1984.
Joe Montana continues. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler share the backfield. The Saints start Dave Wilson at quarterback with George Rogers at running back.
New Orleans is 0-2 and the NFC South's struggling team. The 49ers have outscored opponents 67-47 through two weeks.[1][2][3]
The Saints at 0-2 are the right opponent for the 49ers' third week of execution work. Dave Wilson has the arm; the surrounding cast has not found consistency through two games. George Rogers remains the Saints' most reliable weapon.
Montana threw for 381 yards on Monday night. The 49ers' offense comes in with momentum. The risk at this point in the schedule is complacency — Walsh will have the team sharp after two competitive games.
Week three has the 49ers in sole possession of the NFC West lead at 2-0. The Saints at 0-2 are the day's road underdog. The Rams (1-1) and Falcons (1-1) are the West's other contenders. The AFC's Dolphins lead at 3-0. The NFC's other 2-0 teams are the Cowboys and Redskins. The 49ers' Sunday divisional home game is the West's key result and the conference's first look at a Walsh team building on a Monday night win.
Through two games the 49ers are 2-0 with a plus 20 differential. The Saints are 0-2 with a minus 22. Montana is 40 of 65, 569 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions. Wilson is 31 of 60, 327 yards, two touchdowns, six interceptions. Rogers has 45 carries for 195 yards. Craig has 23 carries for 87 yards and a rushing score.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1-1 | W1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0-2 | L2 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0-2 | L2 |
| Houston Oilers | 0-2 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 2-0 | W2 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1-1 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 1-1 | L1 |
| New York Jets | 1-1 | L1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0-2 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2-0 | W2 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 2-0 | W2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2-0 | W2 |
| Denver Broncos | 1-1 | L1 |
| San Diego Chargers | 1-1 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 2-0 | W2 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1-1 | L1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1-1 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1-1 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 2-0 | W2 |
| Detroit Lions | 1-1 | W1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1-1 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 0-2 | L2 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0-2 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 2-0 | W2 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1-1 | L1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1-1 | W1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 1-1 | W1 |
| Washington Redskins | 0-2 | L2 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Freddie Solomon 32 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 0-7 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 31 yard field goal | 0-10 |
| 49ers | Wendell Tyler 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 0-17 |
| Saints | Eugene Goodlow 8 yard pass from Ken Stabler (Morten Andersen kick) | 7-17 |
| Saints | Morten Andersen 32 yard field goal | 10-17 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Saints | Hoby Brenner 26 yard pass from Ken Stabler (Morten Andersen kick) | 17-17 |
| Saints | Morten Andersen 41 yard field goal | 20-17 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Earl Cooper 23 yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (Ray Wersching kick) | 20-24 |
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 22 yard field goal | 20-27 |
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 40 yard field goal | 20-30 |
Joe Montana threw two touchdown passes and the 49ers' defense intercepted Dave Wilson five times in a 30-20 home win over the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park. Montana finished 13 of 26 for 179 yards and also threw one interception. Roger Craig caught three passes for 45 yards. Wendell Tyler rushed for 90 yards. The 49ers improved to 3-0.[1][2][3]
The 49ers won 30-20 behind five defensive interceptions of Dave Wilson. Montana managed efficiently with 179 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was the story — five Wilson picks converted directly into field position and points.
Tyler ran for 90 yards on 18 carries to lead the running game. Craig caught three passes for 45 yards as the receiving outlet from the backfield. Montana's 13-of-26 day was modest but the defense's production in the secondary made up for the offense's efficiency dip.
Wilson attempted 34 passes and turned the ball over five times. George Rogers ran 24 times for 81 yards but the Saints' passing game could not sustain drives. The 49ers' 3-0 start established them as the NFC's conference leader through three weeks.
49ers 30, Saints 20. Margin: plus 10. Record: 3-0.
A 30-20 home win over the New Orleans Saints. The 49ers move to 3-0 and lead the NFC West.
How it unfolded
The 49ers scored first and built a 17-7 halftime lead on two Montana touchdown passes. The Saints cut it in the third quarter. The defense's fifth interception in the fourth sealed it with a score.
The turning point
The defense's five Wilson interceptions. Each turnover shifted field position and most converted directly into scoring opportunities. Wilson's 34 attempts produced five turnovers, the game's decisive statistic.
By the numbers
Montana 13 of 26 at 6.9 per attempt, two touchdowns, one interception. Tyler 90 on 18 carries. The defense's five interceptions were the year's most in a single game. The 49ers' 30 points came on offense and off turnovers.
What it means
3-0 heading to Philadelphia. The defense's dominant performance against Wilson supplements the offense's week-to-week consistency.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 20 | 19 |
| Total Yards | 268 | 307 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 1 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 16/34 | 13/26 |
| Pass yards | 162 | 179 |
| Pass TD | 2 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 5 | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 2 | 3 |
| Sack yards lost | 13 | 20 |
| Net pass yards | 149 | 159 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 31 | 32 |
| Rush yards | 119 | 148 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 1 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 0 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 4 | 6 |
| Penalty yards | 47 | 54 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 10/17 | 128 | 1 | 1 | 77.6 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 3/8 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 99.5 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| NOR | |||||
| Ken Stabler | 14/27 | 157 | 2 | 2 | 63.3 |
| Richard Todd | 2/7 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 18 | 82 | 1 | 15 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 10 | 47 | 0 | 11 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Derrick Harmon | 2 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 1 | -4 | 0 | -4 |
| NOR | ||||
| George Rogers | 23 | 88 | 0 | 11 |
| Wayne Wilson | 7 | 25 | 0 | 7 |
| Richard Todd | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 3 | 72 | 1 | 32 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 2 | 37 | 1 | 23 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 13 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 12 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Carl Monroe | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| NOR | ||||
| Eugene Goodlow | 6 | 62 | 1 | 17 |
| Tyrone Young | 2 | 35 | 0 | 24 |
| Hoby Brenner | 2 | 33 | 1 | 26 |
| Jeff Groth | 2 | 16 | 0 | 11 |
| Lindsay Scott | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| George Rogers | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Hokie Gajan | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
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