The 49ers went 207-72-1 during those 18 years and featured some of the best ever to play the game — names like Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Dwight Clark, and many, many more.
"I'm unimpressed by barking, scowling coaches; give me the genius psychologist, scripting plays and designing new formations practically every week," writes Bryan Knowles of Football Outsiders. "I still believe Joe Montana is the greatest quarterback of all time, and Steve Young had even better numbers. Jerry Rice is the receiver to whom all others are compared.
"Part of the reason I enjoy watching Christian McCaffrey so much today is his receiving chops, and well, Roger Craig was the first running back in history to pull off the 1,000-yard rushing/1,000-yard receiving combo. Call them a finesse team and take a shot from Ronnie Lott, or Ken Norton, or Charles Haley, or watch Merton Hanks chicken-necking his way into the end zone yet again."
Knowles goes on to point out the succession plans that helped the 49ers succeed for so long. They went from Bill Walsh to George Seifert and Montana to Young.
"The team never skipped a beat," Knowles added.
There is also the dynasty's reach across the NFL. The Walsh coaching tree is massive, with branches spanning the league, and then spawning branches of their own.
Why didn't the 49ers rank No. 1 on the list?
"Their stellar 5-0 record in Super Bowls sort of hides the fact that they only made five Super Bowls," explains Knowles. "Yes, I know, 'only,' but we're talking about the top two dynasties of all time here."
He goes on to break down some of the missed opportunities throughout the years that could have led to more Super Bowls. Plays like Roger Craig's fumble against the New York Giants or games that saw the Dallas Cowboys or Green Bay Packers kill the team's Super Bowl hopes.
Adds Knowles: "The 49ers would have been favored in the Super Bowl each time. Flip a couple of those San Francisco's way, and they're probably still on top of this list."
Click here to read the entire feature from Football Outsiders.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers are betting underdogs for the first time this season
The San Francisco 49ers have a challenging task ahead of them. The team is coming off yet another heartbreaking loss, this time a 20-17 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. It marked the third time this season the 49ers have surrendered a fourth-quarter lead of four or more points,... -
McCaffrey leads all NFL RBs in key stat; Other notes from 49ers' 20-17 loss vs. Seahawks
The San Francisco 49ers dropped to 5-5 on the season after a 20-17 Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Below are several statistics and notes from Sunday's game, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff. QB Brock... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan says Deommodore Lenoir "has the confidence to guard anybody" and the CB has videos to prove it
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is a rising star. And this week, the 49ers treated him as such, rewarding Lenoir with a five-year, $92 million extension. The 2021 fifth-round selection will now be paid as one of the league's top cornerbacks, deservedly so. He's... -
Pelissero provides update on Brock Purdy's injury and 49ers-Packers status
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited during Wednesday's practice and refrained from throwing altogether in at least the position of practice that was open to the media. Purdy is dealing with a shoulder injury sustained during Sunday's loss to the Seattle...