1. 1981: San Fran. 28 Dallas 27
The 49ers trailed 27-21 with the ball at the Dallas 6-yard line. Joe Montana rolled right and, with the Dallas pass rush in hot pursuit, threw the ball high into the end zone. It looked as though Montana were throwing it away, but Dwight Clark soared high and came down with “the Catch” with 51 seconds to play and the 49ers won.
2. 1998: Atlanta 30 Minnesota 27
Trailing 27-20 late in the game, Atlanta’s hopes came down to hoping for something that hadn’t happened all year–for Gary Anderson to miss a kick. But Anderson misfired, setting the Falcons up for two drives to destiny and an overtime win.
3. 1990: N.Y. Giants 15 San Francisco 13
It was 6-6 at half, and 13-9 49ers after three quarters. With Montana out (broken hand and concussion), the Niners led 13-12 with 2:36 to go, but RB Roger Craig fumbled. Giants LB Lawrence Taylor recovered and New York won on a 42-yard Matt Bahr field goal on the last play.
4. 1999: St. Louis 11, Tampa Bay 6
Kurt Warner’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl with 4:44 left was the game’s only TD as the league’s highest-scoring team overcame a tremendous defensive effort by the Bucs.
5. 1985: Bears 24, L.A. Rams 0
Bears became first NFL team to score consecutive playoff shutouts (after 21-0 win vs. N.Y. Giants). Jim McMahon scored one TD and threw for another to Willie Gault while the defense stuffed Eric Dickerson.
6. 1995: San Fran. 38, Dallas 28
After three Dallas turnovers led to a 49ers 21-0 first-quarter lead, it was a tug-of-war in the mud that the Cowboys lost by boneheaded decisions. The topper: After a non-pass interference call, Cowboys coach Barry Switzer childishly barged onto the field and bumped head linesman Sid Semon, ending Dallas’ comeback.
