The 49ers advanced to their third NFC championship game in
as many years with a 44-15 pounding of the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional
playoff game Saturday at Candlestick Park.
The 49ers fell behind, 3-0, when Chicago kicked a first-quarter field goal
— then scored 37 unanswered points to put the game away. Rookie fullback
William Floyd rushed for three touchdowns to pace a balanced 49ers offense.
The 49ers will play the winner of today’s Dallas-Green Bay playoff game
next Sunday Jan. 15 at Candlestick. The winner of that game will advance to
Super Bowl XXIX in Miami on Jan. 29.
”Obviously we’re very pleased with our first step, but we know we have to
crank it up for our next game,” 49ers coach George Seifert said. ”Our
offense played awfully well and our defense did also, but we know we have to
turn it up a notch next week.”
Quarterback Steve Young, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player last
week, completed 16 of 22 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown — much of it in
the rain — before heading to the bench for a rest midway through the third
quarter with the game well in hand.
The 49ers defense held ground-oriented Chicago to just 39 yards rushing and
defensive backs Merton Hanks and Eric Davis each made first-half interceptions
that led to 49ers scores.
”It doesn’t matter who comes in here next week,” Young said. ”The field
is lined and ready to go. We’ll be here.”
