The unit had 51 sacks and 25 interceptions, assuring that if their high-powered offense could overwhelm opponents mostly without having to outscore them in a shootout. The secondary was stout, with Ronnie Lott making like a Mel Blount for the 80s, alongside other defensive stars such as Erik Wright and Fred Dean. The defense for the pride of California also had a champion's pedigree. With 4.6 yards per rush, both elements of the West Coast were working in machine-like precision. While they may have been remembered for Montana's ability to make the aerial passing game seem artistic, the 49ers had great balance on offense, running more often than passing at a nearly even ratio. Dwight Clark became a legend in making "The Catch" against the Cowboys a few years earlier en route to the championship, and other playmakers included Earl Cooper, Russell Francis and Wendell Taylor. Many fans associate Jerry Rice and John Taylor's heroics with the San Francisco dynasty, but the offensive weapons on their earlier champions included neither All-Pro. And, frankly, no team could beat a defense in more ways than San Francisco, whose moving pocket and array of attack options made them completely unpredictable and often indefensible. While many labeled the approach as a "short" passing game, an observation stemming from the concept of "long handoffs" or "using the pass to 'run' the ball," Montana's passes were seamless beams that found various targets everywhere on the field.įew teams could boast the 49ers' average yards per pass attempt (8.2 YPA). Refining the offensive system, Walsh implanted the perfect quarterback to exact his vision with Joe Montana.Ĭrisp, efficient passes riddled defenses. The West Coast offense has become a fancy part of football lingo when Bill Walsh adopted the philosophy from his coordinating days with the Cincinnati Bengals. The San Francisco 49ers were revolutionizing the passing game. Making Pittsburgh's disruption of history more impressive was the quality of the opponent. The emotionally charged contest is an accomplishment not recalled nearly often enough in western Pennsylvania. Their only blemish came against the Men of Steel. The 49ers, eventual champions, would end Super Bowl Sunday with an 18-1 mark. San Francisco could have easily joined the fraternity, if not finished undefeated, if not for Pittsburgh. The 1985 Bears, who traveled to Miami with a 13-0 record, were rarities. Unlike today, teams didn't go deep into December unblemished in the 80s. In 2009, both the Saints and Colts (who are 0-13 in 2011, ironically) didn't lose until the final month.ĭespite some great teams' best efforts, only one team has still accomplished the goal of winning every game. Teams finish anywhere from 14-2 to the once unthinkable 16-0, at least one team vying for an undefeated campaign late into December almost annually. In today's game, deep undefeated stretches seem common.
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