The 49ers (7-5-1) host the New York Jets (9-4) at Candlestick Park on Sun December 7, 1986.
Joe Montana continues. Roger Craig leads the backfield. The Jets start Ken O'Brien at quarterback with Freeman McNeil at running back.
New York is 9-4 and the AFC's wild card leader. The 49ers must win their final three games. Each loss eliminates the path.[1][2][3]
Ken O'Brien is the AFC's most accurate passer in 1986, high completion rate, low interceptions. Freeman McNeil is the Jets' ground game anchor. The 49ers come in at 7-5-1 needing three straight wins.
Montana has been inconsistent in big games. The home crowd against a Jets team already in the playoffs provides stakes-free atmosphere where efficient performances come more easily. Walsh typically builds the run game into elimination-game situations to control the clock and protect the quarterback.
Week fourteen is the home elimination game. The 49ers (7-5-1) must win their final three games to make the playoffs. The Jets (9-4) have already clinched the AFC playoffs. The Giants (12-1) have clinched the NFC East. The Rams (10-4) have clinched the NFC West. The 49ers' Sunday home game against New York is the first of three must-win games — lose and the season ends.
Through thirteen games the 49ers are 7-5-1 with a plus 98 differential. The Jets are 9-4. Ken O'Brien is 279 of 448, 3,312 yards, twenty-four touchdowns, five interceptions through thirteen games. McNeil has 218 carries for 982 yards. Joe Montana is 111 of 188, 1,570 yards, nine touchdowns, seven interceptions in six post-surgery starts. Craig has 381 carries for 1,431 yards. Rice has 67 catches for 977 yards and thirteen touchdowns.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 9-4 | W2 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 8-5 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4-9 | L2 |
| Houston Oilers | 3-10 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 10-3 | W7 |
| New York Jets | 10-3 | L2 |
| Miami Dolphins | 6-7 | L1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 4-9 | W1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0-13 | L13 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 10-3 | W1 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 8-5 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 7-6 | L3 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7-6 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 3-10 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 9-4 | W2 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 7-5-1 | L1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 6-6-1 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 6-7 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 11-2 | W4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7-6 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 5-8 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3-10 | W1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2-11 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 11-2 | W6 |
| Washington Redskins | 11-2 | W5 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 7-6 | L2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4-9 | W1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 3-10 | L1 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| No scoring this quarter. | ||
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Roger Craig 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 0-7 |
| Jets | Pat Leahy 22 yard field goal | 3-7 |
| 49ers | Roger Craig 5 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Tom Rathman 29 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-21 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jets | Freeman McNeil 10 yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick) | 10-21 |
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 33 yard field goal | 10-24 |
The 49ers rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns as San Francisco beat the New York Jets 24-10 at Candlestick Park. Joe Montana finished 23 of 37 for 245 yards with one interception. The defense intercepted O'Brien three times. Freeman McNeil was held to 38 yards on 13 carries. The 49ers moved to 8-5-1.[1][2][3]
The 49ers beat the Jets 24-10 on the run game's 198 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 41 carries. Montana managed 245 yards with no passing touchdowns — Walsh's game plan was ball control, keep O'Brien off the field, win with the run. The defense's three O'Brien interceptions produced the field position the run game converted.
McNeil was held to 38 yards on 13 carries — the Jets' most productive offensive weapon neutralized by the 49ers' front seven. O'Brien went 20 of 44 for 198 yards and zero touchdowns. The defensive performance matched the offensive production.
The 24-10 win started the three-game closing run. Patriots next, then the Rams to close.
49ers 24, Jets 10. Margin: plus 14. Record: 8-5-1.
A 24-10 home win over the New York Jets. The run game's 198 yards and three touchdowns carry the result.
How it unfolded
The 49ers' first rushing touchdown came in the second quarter. The defense's O'Brien interceptions stopped the Jets' two most dangerous drives. Two more rushing touchdowns in the third and fourth extended the lead.
The turning point
The run game's three touchdowns on 41 carries. Walsh's ball-control approach kept O'Brien off the field. The 49ers scored on four of their first five possessions.
By the numbers
Run game 41 carries for 198 yards, three touchdowns. Montana 23 of 37, zero passing touchdowns. O'Brien held to zero touchdowns on 44 attempts. McNeil held to 38 yards.
What it means
8-5-1 with two games left. At New England, then home against the Rams. Win both and the 49ers make the playoffs.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 16 | 27 |
| Total Yards | 199 | 432 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 20/44 | 23/37 |
| Pass yards | 198 | 245 |
| Pass TD | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions | 3 | 1 |
| Sacks taken | 4 | 2 |
| Sack yards lost | 37 | 11 |
| Net pass yards | 161 | 234 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 13 | 41 |
| Rush yards | 38 | 198 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 3 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 2 | 4 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 6 | 6 |
| Penalty yards | 41 | 67 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 23/37 | 245 | 0 | 1 | 70.2 |
| NYJ | |||||
| Ken O'Brien | 20/44 | 198 | 1 | 3 | 37.9 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 17 | 85 | 2 | 24 |
| Tom Rathman #44 | 10 | 55 | 1 | 29 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 9 | 27 | 0 | 10 |
| Joe Cribbs | 3 | 24 | 0 | 16 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
| NYJ | ||||
| Freeman McNeil | 12 | 35 | 0 | 15 |
| Tony Paige | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Jerry Rice #80 | 5 | 97 | 0 | 42 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 4 | 49 | 0 | 21 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 7 | 43 | 0 | 11 |
| Tom Rathman #44 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 14 |
| Joe Cribbs | 3 | 21 | 0 | 15 |
| Ken Margerum | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| NYJ | ||||
| Al Toon | 4 | 57 | 0 | 22 |
| Mickey Shuler | 5 | 49 | 0 | 12 |
| Freeman McNeil | 6 | 44 | 1 | 10 |
| Wesley Walker | 2 | 26 | 0 | 17 |
| Rocky Klever | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Kurt Sohn | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Tony Paige | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
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