Amici’s Contest – What’s your favorite 49ers playoff memory?

I've only been to a handful of Niners games, but a favorite memory of mine came against the Raiders on Monday night 1994 to start the Niners last Super Bowl winning season. A friend scored us great seats for my birthday. Napolean Kaufman suffered a horrific knee injury which soured the games a bit, but in the fourth quarter, Jerry Rice broke the TD record and the place went absolutely bonkers on the way to thrashing the Raiders 44-14. It was an incredible night and a fantastic start to an awesome season.

My favorite moment in 49ers playoff history occurred during the playoffs in 1984. I remember watching these games with my family and remember how terrific the Niners defense was during a three game stretch against the Giants, Bears, and Dolphins. Over the course of those three games, the defense had 18 sacks, 5 INTs, and allowed only 1 TD while playing against offenses that included Walter Payton, Joe Morris (remember him?), and (of course) Dan Marino and one of the greatest offenses to ever take the field. Although there have been so many great 49er playoff performances, I think that the 1984 defense stands out as my greatest memory. Thanks for the opportunity to share!

As great as it was last year getting drunk in the City and watching that unbelievable Niners win vs the Saints, that is only my 3rd favorite 49ers memory. The 2nd is the T.O. catch is the final few seconds vs the Pack in '98 because I loathed Brett Favre and Antonio Freeman! But as sweet an awesome as that victory was, the single best memory of the 49ers I have is still us beating the Cowboys in '94. We had just lost 2 straight NFC title games to them, which were de facto Super Bowls at the time since the AFC was so pathetic. So everyone knew that if we could get over the hurdle and beat them, our 5th Super Bowl title was an UBER lock. I still remember us bursting out to a quick 21-0 lead less than 8 minutes into the game and being in complete and utter disbelief (very similar to the start vs the Saints last yr in the divisional round with all the points off of turnovers and what not). But the best play of that game was the soul crushing 30 yd TD pass from Young to Rice just seconds before halftime to put us up 31-14. I knew we were heading to the Super Bowl and was as happy as an 11 yr old kid could be! It's funny you mentioned that your favorite Niners memory was that Bears NFC title game in 1988, that honestly is my first vivid Niners game memory I have (I was at the tender age of about 6). I still remember thinking at the time that Jerry jumped about 20 feet into the air like there was no gravity, ripped the ball out of the air, came down with it, and proceeded to make a quick shake on the corner and safety, and took it to the house to give us a lead that we would never relinquish! The 2 touchdown catches by Jerry that day in freezing temps are just another reason why he's the best ever and still my favorite athlete of all time! Definitely in my top 10 game/memory for sure BASG!

No need to wait for free pizza--I just ordered one online through BASG.

Rich Gannon - Tim Brown - Lincoln Kennedy - Jerry Rice thumping the Titans in the AFC Championship Game 2002

OWENS OWENS OWENS

Hard to choose one but my favorite was probably Super Bowl XXIII with Montana hitting JT for the winning TD. I remember watching that winning drive with my Dad. We were nervous, yet confident, that the 49ers would get it done.

That 1988 team is an interesting pick BASG. In fact didn't they finish 10 and 6? I too was under the impression they would have a quick exit in the playoffs. But they fooled a lot us to win it all. But my favorite playoff memory is still the 1981 season team. Beat NY, beat Dallas and then beat the Bengals in Pontiac.

When Scutaro stood in the rain with his arms out.

Actually this is pretty easy...even for an old guy like me. 1981 goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals, the 3rd down play in particular. A short out to RB Charles Alexander (?) who was immediately hit and dropped by Dan Bunz ONE FOOT short of a touch down. Awesome play by Bunz.! Then it was 4th down and a foot to go. Ken Anderson hands the ball off to big Pete Johnson who gets STUFFED by Hacksaw Reynolds, Dan Bunz and Ronnie Lott. This not only kept the Bengals from scoring but it saved a 2-score for the niners going in to the 4th quarter against a good offensive team. We talk about how good the Niners D is now...and it is the best in my lifetime. But this 1981 defense...man... just look at the names. Fred Dean, Jim Stuckey, Archie Reese, Dwaine Board, Willie Harper, Bunz, Hacksaw Reynolds, Keena Turner, Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Wiliams, Dwight Hicks... incredible D. I was 10 year old and because of THAT goal line stand I played linebacker in Pop Warner and high school.

I might be late with my pick, but I still need to share it. It would be easy to go Montana to Taylor in SB23, but mine is from their Super Bowl before that. I was 8 when they played the Dolphins. During the introductions, Dan Marino came out glossy eyed. He looked a little nervous. My dad screamed at the TV that the game was over and this game was in the bag. And it was. Yes, my favorite moment was the introductions.

It would have to be The Catch, and watching it with my father who was a long suffering 49ers fan who had spent his entire professional career among Raiders fans. It was the beginning of a great run for the team, the fans, and for my father and I getting 'together' each Sunday, even it was over the phone as we discussed the ups and downs of our favorite team.

favorite memory? do memories of the cheerleaders count for this contest?

Diehard fan since 1987. Of course, I have seen all the Super Bowls, and I haven't missed a 49ers home playoff game since Chicago in 1994. So many great games to choose from, but I will still take last year's Saints game. Not only was it such an incredible football game, but the whole day was just amazing, especially the crowd. By far the best I have ever seen at the 'Stick. I guess what made it so special what that it had been so long since they had been there. I would rank the 98 Packers & 2002 Giants Wild Card games a close second (probably because I watched both live), but this one takes the top spot because of the reasons stated above, plus it actually put them one game from the Super Bowl

Favorite playoff memory? Niners against Bengals in Superbowl. Montana's last drive. One long pass to Jerry Rice, and then the slot pass to John Taylor for the touchdown. I was ecstatic for a whole week.

When the Niners went up 21-0 on the Cowboys in the NFC Title Game. That whole game from Rice's TD right before the half and Young taking his victory lap around the Stick.

My favorite Niner moment is when the Niners ran into the Stanford Stadium field during the Super Bowl XIX against the Dolphins and there was so much fog. Now whether it was really fog or just steam rising from all the extra lighting and electronics, I am not sure to this day. However, as I've worked in Palo Alto in the past, I never seen it ever get that foggy in the late afternoon like that. Morning sure, but afternoon, I don't think so. Anyway, the Niners looked like they were in their element, while the Dolphins were like "What the hell is this?" Needless to say, I was pretty confident at that point that we were gonna win it over Marino, Shula, and the rest of the Dolphins.

Montana to Taylor pass with 34 seconds left beating Cincinnati 20-16 Super Bowl 23.

Best memory was watching Alex Smith throw that dart to Vernon to win it last year. It was one of the greatest football games I have ever seen. Such a wild roller coaster.

The drive against cincinatti. Never been as nervous im my life, i was only 9

It's a tie between the catch two and the catch three. I was at both of them, and while the first holds sentimental value (was with my dad who has since passed, Steve Young was my childhood idol), Catch three is fresher in my mind. Sorry, I barely remember the 94 Super Bowl. I'm young. Also, I'm made of money.

I agree with you guys about the playoff game against the NY "football" Giants in 2003. That was a great win, and with the way the 49ers came back, showed you how much heart those 49er teams in the early 2000's had. But yes, I think for a lot of us 49er fans who are in our 20's (I'm 26), the comeback playoff win against the Giants, is probably the best 49er playoff memory so far, with the playoff game against the Saints last year as a close 2nd. Any other 49er fan in their 20's agree with me on that? As far as my answer to this question goes, I think I'll go with the Saints game last year. What a win that was! The intensity of that game was awesome, and it had everything you wanted in an NFL playoff game. It was high scoring, both teams went back and forth, there were big defensive plays, and both teams made big offensive plays with Alex Smith's late TD run, and Vernon Davis' TD towards the end of the game, obviously being the biggest plays of that game. The crowd at Candlestick was rockin'! That game really makes you smile as a 49er fan! But yes, the playoff win against the Giants in 2003 was great, but that playoff win against the Saints last year, is definitely up there with that game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iNeuKQyRCY Super Bowl 23 in Miami; Montana brings 49ers from behind on 2 minute drive to end game with victory over Bengals. Another notch in legend making. Watch above!

Beating the Giants at Candlestick after an awesome comeback in 2003. Giants miss the fieldgoal to end the game. Wheres my Amicis?

Watching the 1988 Super Bowl with my dad when I was almost four years old

My favorite playoff moment was niners vs giants (botched snap game) niners wer down big in the first half . Garcia had a great come back. It was hilarious when niners defenders PI the eligible lineman downfield lol

I am actually old enough to recall watching "The Catch" and watch the niners follow that with the first of many Super Bowls.