As the offseason drags on, it’s the perfect time to revisit a favorite topic among 49ers fans: What was San Francisco’s best win over the past five years?
With the 2019 season now outside the five-year window, epic games like the wild shootout win over the Saints no longer count. Instead, we’re left looking at recent seasons—though 2024, plagued by injuries and inconsistency, didn’t exactly offer many memorable victories.
That’s why my pick remains the 2023 NFC Championship win over the Detroit Lions. Despite Brock Purdy facing plenty of criticism about his ability to play from behind, he rallied the team from a tough first half in a game where the defense struggled. Purdy’s resilience and mental toughness in that comeback showed exactly why he’s the 49ers’ quarterback of the future.
Some might argue other moments stand out more, like the 2021 victory over the Rams that clinched a playoff berth, or the 2022 win over the Seahawks that secured the division—especially sweet when a rookie quarterback takes down a rival. And of course, beating the Cowboys always deserves a mention.
But for me, Purdy’s performance against the Lions remains the signature win of this era: a defining moment that proved the 49ers could fight back under pressure and a game that hinted at a bright future—hopefully one better than the injury-marred 2024 season.
What’s your pick for the 49ers’ best win in the past five years? Sound off in the comments.
49ers Fans: Which Game Was San Francisco’s Best Win of the Past Half-Decade?
