Two San Fran what-ifs (’88/’89, and early-’90s)

[7DnBrnc53]

Out of curiosity, other than Buffalo and Cincinnati, did anyone else really do a “no huddle” offense back then?

Honestly, I don't think so.

[Brian wolf]

Youre right, 74_75_78_79, the 49ers had an awesome defense and might have dominated even with Steve Young, but we all know that Joe was a surgeon-like passer who could demoralize an opponent while firing up his own team and defense. Was Young at that level yet? Not quite ... he still tended to take off and run, which could infuriate both Walsh and Holmgren but he was in full grasp of the offense by 1991; unfortunately, the team defense tailed off and Young had no room for error in the postseason, which Joe might have had.*

Like I speculated, Young might have won those early big games in the postseason, which could have given him his chance at numerous championships but it really was a while before he won a playoff game in dominating fashion, starting with the dismantling of the Giants in the 1993-94 postseason before having a tough game against the Cowboys in Texas Stadium. Once the team defense improved, then he had his chance to finally hoist the trophy but another hungry team, with his former offensive coach and a young up-and-coming QB --were just around the corner.

*Yes, Steve Young would go on to be a great QB, but when I watched he and Montana play in games back then--87-90--it seemed like the team was just off with Young at QB compared to Joe. The team had more a swagger but like you said, with superior coaching and defense, Young might have acclimated more quickly and gotten the same results.

[Brian wolf]

It would be fun to do a thread about teams with HOF QBs facing off against each other in championship games--conference, league and SBs--just to show how close certain QBs and teams get to one, or more championships.

Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers are great examples. They are both champions but have missed out on multiple championships, due to team and game circumstances. Young and the 49ers lost three championship games to Aikman and Favre, fellow HOFs, while Young also beat Aikman, preventing the Cowboys from a possible SB three-peat.

Rodgers like Young, won his only SB appearance, against Roethlisberger's Steelers but lost championship games to Wilson?, Ryan? and Brady*

*Wilson, Ryan ... HOF?

[CSKreager]

With the 88 49ers, my what-if is different:

They were two miracle plays (Hail Jerry, Young's crazy run) from 4-7

What if they lose those Giants/Vikings games? Even at 8-8/9-7, they'd have missed out entirely

How differently do the 88 playoffs play out with no SF?

[Brian wolf]

That Giants game is an example of why I feel Young would have been different leading the team in the playoffs compared to Montana. Young struggled and found out quickly that he needed more experience rather than just pure athleticism to help beat the Giants. As soon as Joe enters the game, the team responds and the Giants simply underestimated his arm strength, which was a perfect TD pass. Maybe the team responds to Young against Philly, Minn or the Bears and wins but with Montana they dominate.

That win over the Vikes was incredible as well, with the Niners somewhat, getting revenge for the playoff loss but I still feel that Walsh messed up by not letting Joe finish that game in Candlestick in the 87' playoffs. Joe knew that Walsh wouldnt hesitate to go to Steve in 1988.

Had the 49ers not gone to the playoffs, I believe the Vikings and Bears would have had a slugfest for the NFC championship. Could Anthony Carter or Jimmy Mac had been the difference?

[7DnBrnc53]

With the 88 49ers, my what-if is different:

They were two miracle plays (Hail Jerry, Young's crazy run) from 4-7

What if they lose those Giants/Vikings games? Even at 8-8/9-7, they'd have missed out entirely

How differently do the 88 playoffs play out with no SF?

if they lost those games, they would have been 8-7 going into week 16, with nothing to play for except being the spoiler. The week before, they hurt NO's season, and now they would have tried to knock the 9-6 Rams out of the playoffs, and get momentum going for 1989. I think they are successful, and they beat the Rams on a Mike Cofer FG with 30 seconds left, ending LA's season.

Since the Giants and Vikings beat SF, they win their respective divisions. 12-4 Minnesota is the 1-seed, 11-5 NY Giants the 2, and 10-6 New Orleans the three-seed, with the Eagles at Chicago for the Wild Card.

Since they are playing in a non-foggy environment, I think the Eagles beat the Bears, and go on to Minnesota, while the Giants host the Saints.

I like the Vikings and Giants at home, and I like the Vikings to beat the Giants. It would be their first SB berth in twelve years.