One of the main catalysts for San Francisco's return to relevance in 2011 was the team's dominant defense—specifically against the run. The 49ers yielded the fewest rushing yards in the league (1,236), average yards per rush (3.5), and set an NFL record for fewest rushing touchdowns surrendered in a 16-game regular season (3).[1][2] The team did not allow a single 100 yard rusher nor a rushing touchdown through the first 14 weeks, and only three of their opponents gained over 100 total yards on the ground. In addition to their dominance against the run, San Francisco's defense finished second in points allowed (229, or 14.3/g),[2] fourth in yards allowed (308.1/g)[2] second in team interceptions (23),[2] and third in Pro Football Outsiders Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) power rankings.[3]
Despite their most successful season in years, the 49ers were 31st in the league in third-down conversion percentage in the regular season (29.1) and were 17.9 percent in the playoffs and ranked 26th in total offense.[4]
Owner Jed York announced that he would hire a general manager and the new GM would make a decision on the new head coach to replace Mike Singletary after the 49ers' loss to the St. Louis Rams on December 26, 2010, that eliminated the team from the postseason.[5] On January 5, the 49ers promoted the vice president of player personnel, Trent Baalke, to the position of general manager.[6] On January 7, the 49ers hired Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh to be the 18th head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
With the hiring of a new head coach, many of the assistant coaches were replaced. Of the coordinators and position coaches from the previous season, only running backs coach Tom Rathman, defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, and offensive line coach Mike Solari were retained. The coaching staff featured Greg Roman as the new offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as the new defensive coordinator, both previously assistant coaches under Harbaugh at Stanford. Former Cleveland Browns assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Brad Seely was hired for the same roles with the 49ers. Geep Chryst was the new quarterbacks coach, Reggie Davis was the new tight ends coach. John Morton was the new wide receivers coach, and Tim Drevno was a new offensive line coach to help out Mike Solari. Jim Leavitt was the new linebackers coach and Ed Donatell was the new secondary coach. The staff also featured defensive assistants Peter Hansen and Ejiro Evero, offensive assistant Bobby Engram, and special assistant to the head coach Bill Nayes.
^[a] The 49ers acquired this fourth-round selection from the San Diego Chargers along with a 2010 third-round selection (#91 overall; used to select LBNaVorro Bowman) and a 2010 sixth-round selection (#173 overall; used to select RBAnthony Dixon) in exchange for a 2010 third-round selection (#79 overall).[7]
^[e] The 49ers acquired this second-round selection from the Denver Broncos in exchange for their second-round selection (#45 overall), a fourth-round selection (#108 overall), and a fifth-round selection (#141 overall).
^[f] The 49ers acquired this third-round selection (#80 overall) and this sixth-round selection (#180 overall) from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for their third-round selection (#76 overall).
^[g] The 49ers acquired this fifth-round selection (#163 overall) from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for their sixth-round selection (#174 overall) and a seventh-round selection (#231 overall).
The preseason game against the Raiders was marked by brawls in the stands and a major beating in a restroom at Candlestick Park. Because of this, the NFL officially canceled all future preseason games between the two teams. They now only meet in the regular season every four years when the NFC West plays the AFC West, or in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco trailed early in the first quarter as Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff got a 39-yard field goal, yet the 49ers answered with a 45-yard field goal from kicker David Akers. Baltimore struck back in the second quarter with Cundiff making a 23-yard field goal.
San Francisco began the third quarter with a 52-yard field goal from Akers, but the Ravens opened the fourth quarter with quarterback Joe Flacco completing an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dennis Pitta, followed by Cundiff nailing a 39-yard field goal. The Niners tried to rally, but Baltimore's defense held on to preserve the win.
With the loss, the 49ers fell to 9–2.
These two teams would meet again a year later in Super Bowl XLVII with the 49ers falling short 34–31.
SF – Michael Crabtree – 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
STL – Craig Dehl – 11 tackles, 2 assists
SF – NaVarro Bowman – 6 tackles
With the shutout win, not only did the 49ers improve to 10–2, but they also clinched 1st place in the NFC West for their first playoff berth since the 2002 season.
PIT – Shaun Suisham 51-yard field goal, 49ers 6–3.
SF – Vernon Davis 1-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 13–3.
Fourth quarter
SF – Frank Gore 5-yard run (David Akers kick), 49ers 20–3.
Top passers
PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 25/44, 330 yards, 3 interceptions
SF – Alex Smith – 18/31, 187 yards, 1 touchdown
Top rushers
PIT – Rashard Mendenhall – 15 carries, 64 yards
SF – Frank Gore – 18 carries, 65 yards, 1 touchdown
Top receivers
PIT – Jerricho Cotchery – 5 carries, 93 yards
SF – Vernon Davis – 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
PIT – Troy Polamalu – 7 tackles
SF – NaVarro Bowman – 7 tackles, 1 assist
The 49ers traveled home for a game on Monday Night Football against the Steelers. It was delayed due to a power outage in their stadium. The lights went off again in the 2nd quarter when the 49ers were leading 6–0, which eventually became the score at halftime. In the 2nd half the 49ers would go on a 14 to 3 run to make the final score 20–3 and improve their record to 11–3.
With the win, the 49ers improved to 12–3 and swept the Seahawks for the first time since 2006. The 49ers would not win at CenturyLink Field again until 2019.
NO – Marques Colston 25-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 49ers 17–14,Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:04.
Third quarter
SF – David Akers 41-yard field goal, 49ers 20–14,Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:59.
Fourth quarter
NO – John Kasay 48-yard field goal, 49ers 20–17,Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 0:59.
SF – David Akers 37-yard field goal, 49ers 23–17,Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 3:02
NO – Darren Sproles 44-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), Saints 24–23,Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:34.
SF – Alex Smith 28-yard run (2-point conversion failed), 49ers 29–24,Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:51.
NO – Jimmy Graham 66-yard pass from Drew Brees (Drew Brees pass to Darren Sproles for two-point conversion), Saints 32–29,Drive: 4 plays, 88 yards, 0:34.
SF – Vernon Davis 14-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 49ers 36–32,Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 1:28.
Alex Smith's 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis with 9 seconds left gave San Francisco their first playoff win since 2002 at the end of a wild, back and forth final quarter which featured four lead changes in a span of 3:53. Sports writers and 49ers fans have taken to referring Davis' catch as The Catch III, as it occurred four days after the 30th anniversary of The Catch – Joe Montana's famous game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most famous plays in San Francisco 49ers history as it helped propel the 49ers to their first-ever Super Bowl, with both plays occurring with the 49ers trailing with less than a minute to play and facing 3rd down and 3 yards to go.[10] This game was voted the number 1 game of 2011 by NFL.com.[11] (The Catch II refers to Steve Young's game-winning pass to Terrell Owens in the 1998 NFC Divisional Playoff against the Green Bay Packers.) With the win, the 49ers improved to 14–3 and faced the New York Giants at Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game.
For the fifth time in conference championship history and for the third time in five years, overtime decided the game, and as it was in the 2007 NFC Championship Game, a field goal by Lawrence Tynes was the winning score as the Giants defeated the 49ers for their fifth NFC Championship Game victory. The Giants became the third team in NFL history to advance to the Super Bowl with fewer than 10 wins during the regular season, joining the 1979 Los Angeles Rams and the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.
With Ted Ginn Jr. injured, Rookie Kyle Williams started at wide receiver and performed punt returns in the NFC Championship Game. He lost two fumbles returning punts, including one in overtime that preceded the game-winning field goal by the Giants. His other fumble in the fourth quarter was followed by a Giants' touchdown to retake the lead, 17–14. QB Alex Smith defended Williams, saying: "Offensively we weren't good enough today. We didn't get it done .... You can't put it on [Williams]". The 49ers did not make a 3rd down conversion until the 4th quarter. The 49ers' season ended with a 14–4 record.
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