Giants/Niners Playoff History

SI Staff | Jan 19, 2012

Giants/Niners Playoff History

49ers 38, Giants 24

Andy Hayt/SI

Joe Montana, then 25, led San Francisco to victory in his first ever playoff game, passing for 304 yards and two touchdowns with one pick. The 49ers blew things open in the fourth, extending their narrow 24-17 lead to 38-17 before allowing a garbage time touchdown. San Francisco would go on to win the Super Bowl.

49ers 21, Giants 10

George Rose/Getty Images

The 49ers' defense was the difference in this game, leading San Francisco to a relatively easy victory despite Joe Montana's three interceptions. The `Niners defense was strong throughout the playoffs, allowing just 26 total points en route to their Super Bowl XIX crown.

Giants 17, 49ers 3

John Biever/SI

The Giants finally got the best of San Francisco in 1986, getting a strong performance from their defense and an efficient game from quarterback Phil Simms to beat the 49ers 17-3. New York didn't play as well in the NFC Championship, falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Bears 21-0 at Soldier Field.

Giants 49, 49ers 3

Jacqueline Duvoisin/SI

The Giants absolutely steamrolled the 49ers in '87, getting 21 points in both the second- and third-quarters to blowout San Francisco 49-3 en route to a Super Bowl title. Simms threw for four touchdowns, but New York's defense was the true star, holding the `Niners to 184 total yards, forcing four turnovers and scoring an interception TD. Montana went out with a scary injury in the second quarter, losing consciousness and suffering a concussion after being hit by defensive tackle Jim Burt.

Giants 15, 49ers 13

V.J. Lovero, Richard Mackson/SI

New York knocked San Francisco out of the playoffs for the third time in six years in the '91 NFC Championship, recovering 49er running back Roger Craig's fumble with 2 minutes, 36 seconds left to set up kicker Matt Bahr for a game winning field goal -- his fifth successful kick of the game -- as time expired. Montana was knocked out of this game as well, leaving in the fourth quarter after a Leonard Marshall hit left him with a severe concussion and a broken finger, paving the way for Montana's eventual departure to Kansas City.

49ers 44, Giants 3

George Rose/Getty Images; John W. McDonough, Peter Read Miller/SI

The 49ers got a measure of revenge on New York in 1994, dominating the Giants from the start of the 44-3 blowout. It was a horrible way to go out for Giants' star linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms, both of whom retired that offseason.

49ers 39, Giants 38

V.J. Lovero/SI; Bill Kostroun/AP

One of the wildest games in playoff history, this 02' Wild-Card game came down to 41-year-old Giant long snapper Trey Junkin. Junkin, who New York signed out of retirement less than a week before the game, botched two field goal snaps in the final three minutes, allowing the 49ers to complete a remarkable 24-point second half comeback.