San Francisco 49ers 1979: A Game-by-Game Guide

Relive the San Francisco 49ers' memorable 1979 season with this guide that explores the entire year game by game, from the opening day near-miss against the Vikings through O.J. Simpson's final game, as told in the newspaper accounts of the day.

New head coach Bill Walsh inherited a mess and he set about turning the downtrodden 49ers into the greatest dynasty the NFL has ever known, starting with a rookie quarterback named Joe Montana. Part of the rebuilding process was the casting off of several veterans, including future Hall of Famer Simpson, who ended his career in '79. There were many highlights along the way, including Montana's first game action; a record-setting campaign for the man Montana would replace, Steve DeBerg; and a shocking upset of the playoff-bound Bucs.

All of the highs and lows from the exciting season are here. A full recap and box score from every game is included, so you can follow the exploits of Walsh's crew as it took its lumps on the road to becoming Super Bowl champs in the '80s.

Whether you are a die-hard 49ers fan or an NFL history buff, you will enjoy this look back at the 1979 San Francisco 49ers.