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?