‘Greatest Comeback’ Preceded 49ers’ NFC West Dominance

It was the greatest one-game, regular-season comeback in NFL history.

Nineteen years ago today, the New Orleans Saints held a 35-7 halftime lead over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers scored four consecutive touchdowns in the second half, sent the game into overtime and won it on a 36-yard field goal by Ray Wersching, 38-35.

It was a stunning comeback, considering how New Orleans quarterback Archie Manning had dominated the 49ers in the first half. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

The Saints had out-gained the 49ers, 324 yards to 21. The Saints had a 21-0 lead before the 49ers had a first down.

San Francisco’s Freddie Solomon scored on a 57-yard punt return, but the Saints got two more touchdowns before halftime.

According to 49er players, Coach Bill Walsh urged his team to finish the game in “respectable” fashion. Only lineman Archie Reese stood up and said he believed the 49ers could win the game.

Four minutes into the second half, second-year quarterback Joe Montana dived into the end zone to finish an 88-yard drive. Then he threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Dwight Clark, making it 35-21.

Three San Francisco drives fizzled, but in the fourth quarter, Montana drove his team 83 yards, finishing with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Solomon.

On the 49ers’ next possession, starting with 5:12 to play, they went 78 yards in three plays, Lenvil Elliott--who gained 91 of the 49ers’ 161 yards in the fourth quarter--scoring on a seven-yard run. The conversion made it 35-35.

The Saints punted on their first overtime possession and eight plays later, Wersching--who had beaten the Saints three times in three years--made it four times in four years.

The 49ers finished 6-10 in 1980, but won 13 NFC West championships--and five Super Bowls--over the next 18 seasons.

Also on this date: In 1969, Francis “Lefty” O’Doul died in San Francisco at 72. He batted .349 over an 11-year career and won two National League batting championships.