| 2021 San Francisco 49ers season | |
|---|---|
 49ers 75th anniversary logo | |
| Owner | Jed York |
| General manager | John Lynch |
| Head coach | Kyle Shanahan |
| Home field | Levi's Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–7 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC West |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Cowboys) 23–17 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Packers) 13–10 Lost NFC Championship (at Rams) 17–20 |
| Pro Bowlers | |
| AP All-Pros | WR Deebo Samuel (1st team) LT Trent Williams (1st team) |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The 2021 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 76th overall and their fifth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the team's founding in 1946, the 49ers introduced a commemorative logo to be used during this season.[1]
They improved from their 6–10 record from the previous year and they returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Despite starting 2–0, they would lose 4 consecutive games. After an embarrassing Week 9 loss to an injury depleted Arizona Cardinals, [2] the 49ers had a disappointing 3–5 record. But they would rebound and end the season winning 7 of their last 9 games, including a dramatic Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams in which the 49ers fought back from a 17–0 deficit to win 27–24 in overtime, thus allowing them to sneak into the playoffs.[3] During the season, the 49ers showcased a well rounded team, finishing top 10 in both total offense and total defense. The offense averaged 376 yards a game, good for 8th in the league, while averaging 25.1 points a game. The defense was even better, giving up just 310 yards a game, good for 3rd overall. This included the 6th best pass defense and 7th best rush defense. The defense also generated 48 sacks during the season, 5th best in the league.[4]
In the wild-card round, the 49ers upset the Dallas Cowboys 23–17.[5] They would then upset the #1 seeded Green Bay Packers 13–10 in the divisional round, thus advancing to the NFC Championship for the second time in 3 years.[6] However, they lost to their division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams 20-17.
- ^ "49ers reveal 75th anniversary logo to be worn during draft, in season". nfl.com. April 26, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "49ers put on Pathetic Performance in 31-17 Loss to Cardinals". si.com. November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Jimmy Garoppolo leads San Francisco 49ers' comeback from 17 down to stun Los Angeles Rams in OT, clinch NFC playoff spot". nfl.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Regular Season Stats". espn.com.
- ^ "49ers add to rivalry lore, eke out 'wild' playoff win". ESPN.com. January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Alper, Josh (January 22, 2022). "49ers knock off Packers in 13-10 win at Lambeau Field". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2022.