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2008 San Francisco 49ers season

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2008 San Francisco 49ers season
OwnerJohn York
General managerScot McCloughan
Head coachMike Nolan (fired Week 8, 2–5 record)
Mike Singletary (interim, 5–4 record)
Home fieldCandlestick Park
Results
Record7–9
Division place2nd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersILB Patrick Willis
AP All-ProsILB Patrick Willis (2nd team)
Uniform
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 San Francisco 49ers season.

The 2008 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 59th in the National Football League (NFL), their 63rd overall, and their fourth and final under the head coach Mike Nolan. The team improved on their 5–11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season with a 7–9 record. They failed to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. It was the final season that the 49ers wore their 1996 dark red uniforms. With the 49ers offense struggling the previous season, offensive coordinator Jim Hostler was fired and replaced by Mike Martz. In addition, Scot McCloughan was promoted from vice president of player personnel to general manager. Mike Nolan was terminated after a 29–17 loss to the New York Giants in Week 8.

Signings

Pos. Player Free Agent Type 2007 Team Contract
WR Isaac Bruce Released St. Louis Rams 2 years, $6 million[1]
RB DeShaun Foster Released Carolina Panthers 2 years, $1.8 million[1]
LB Roderick Green UFA San Francisco 49ers 1 year
QB Shaun Hill UFA San Francisco 49ers 3 years, $6 million[2]
WR Bryant Johnson UFA Arizona Cardinals 1 year[3]
QB J. T. O'Sullivan UFA Detroit Lions 1 year, $645,000[1]
CB Allen Rossum Released Pittsburgh Steelers 1 year, $870,000[1]
DE Justin Smith UFA Cincinnati Bengals 6 years, $45 million[4]
DT Isaac Sopoaga UFA San Francisco 49ers 5 years, $20 million[5]
CB Donald Strickland UFA San Francisco 49ers 1 year, $800,000[6]
LB Dontarrious Thomas UFA Minnesota Vikings 2 years[1]

Departures

Pos. Player Free Agent Type 2008 Team Contract
QB Trent Dilfer Retired
DE Marques Douglas UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4 years[7]
T Kwame Harris UFA Oakland Raiders 3 years, $16 million[8]
RB Maurice Hicks UFA Minnesota Vikings 3 years[9]
WR Darrell Jackson Released Denver Broncos 1 year, $1.5 million
G Justin Smiley UFA Miami Dolphins 5 years, $25 million[1]
LB Derek Smith Released San Diego Chargers Undisclosed[10]
DT Bryant Young Retired

UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent

Draft picks

Main article: 2008 NFL Draft
2008 San Francisco 49ers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 29 Kentwan Balmer  DT North Carolina From Indianapolis
2 39 Chilo Rachal  G USC
3 75 Reggie Smith  CB Oklahoma
4 107 Cody Wallace  C Texas A&M Made roster in 2009
6 174 Josh Morgan  WR Virginia Tech
7 214 Larry Grant  LB Ohio State
      Made roster  

[11]

Staff

2008 San Francisco 49ers staff

Front office {{{front_office}}}

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


Roster

2008 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 7 reserve, 7 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 8 at Oakland Raiders L 6–18 0–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap
2 August 16 Green Bay Packers W 34–6 1–1 Candlestick Park Recap
3 August 21 at Chicago Bears W 37–30 2–1 Soldier Field Recap
4 August 29 San Diego Chargers L 17–20 2–2 Candlestick Park Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 Arizona Cardinals L 13–23 0–1 Candlestick Park Recap
2 September 14 at Seattle Seahawks W 33–30 (OT) 1–1 Qwest Field Recap
3 September 21 Detroit Lions W 31–13 2–1 Candlestick Park Recap
4 September 28 at New Orleans Saints L 17–31 2–2 Louisiana Superdome Recap
5 October 5 New England Patriots L 21–30 2–3 Candlestick Park Recap
6 October 12 Philadelphia Eagles L 26–40 2–4 Candlestick Park Recap
7 October 19 at New York Giants L 17–29 2–5 Giants Stadium Recap
8 October 26 Seattle Seahawks L 13–34 2–6 Candlestick Park Recap
9 Bye
10 November 10 at Arizona Cardinals L 24–29 2–7 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
11 November 16 St. Louis Rams W 35–16 3–7 Candlestick Park Recap
12 November 23 at Dallas Cowboys L 22–35 3–8 Texas Stadium Recap
13 November 30 at Buffalo Bills W 10–3 4–8 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
14 December 7 New York Jets W 24–14 5–8 Candlestick Park Recap
15 December 14 at Miami Dolphins L 9–14 5–9 Dolphin Stadium Recap
16 December 21 at St. Louis Rams W 17–16 6–9 Edward Jones Dome Recap
17 December 28 Washington Redskins W 27–24 7–9 Candlestick Park Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Arizona Cardinals 9 7 0 .563 6–0 7–5 427 426 W1
San Francisco 49ers 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 339 381 W2
Seattle Seahawks 4 12 0 .250 3–3 3–9 294 392 L1
St. Louis Rams 2 14 0 .125 0–6 2–10 232 465 L10

Regular season results

Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 7 10323
49ers 7 3 3013

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

The 49ers began their 2008 campaign at home against their NFC West foe, the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers got a 25-yard field goal. San Francisco responded with RB Frank Gore getting a 41-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Arizona regained the lead with QB Kurt Warner completing a 1-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald. San Francisco tied the game with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 39-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Cardinals began to fly away as Rackers nailed a 31-yard field goal, along with RB Tim Hightower getting a 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Niners tried to respond as Nedney got a 30-yard field goal. However, Arizona pulled away with Rackers' 30-yard field goal.

With the loss, the 49ers began their season at 0–1.

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
49ers 3 10 143333
Seahawks 14 6 010030

at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington

Hoping to bounce back from their divisional home loss to the Cardinals, the 49ers flew to Qwest Field for an NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Seahawks RB Julius Jones got a 27-yard TD run, along with DT Craig Terrill returning a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco responded with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 26-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the 49ers continued to close in on Seattle as Nedney kicked a 28-yard field goal. The Seahawks responded with kicker Olindo Mare getting a 51-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Niners chopped at Seattle's lead with QB J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson. The Seahawks closed out the half with Mare's 38-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, San Francisco took the lead with LB Patrick Willis returning an interception 86 yards for a touchdown and RB Frank Gore getting a 2-yard TD run. However, in the fourth quarter, Seattle regained its lead with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 1-yard TD run and Mare getting a 32-yard field goal. The Niners tied the game with Nedney's 28-yard field goal. Afterwards, in overtime, San Francisco completed its upset as Nedney nailed the game-winning 40-yard field goal.

With the win, the 49ers improved to 1–1.

WR Isaac Bruce (4 receptions for 153 yards) became the first 49ers wideout to have a 100-yard receiving game since Antonio Bryant during Week 2 in 2006.

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 3 3713
49ers 7 14 01031

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Coming off their thrilling overtime divisional road win over the Seahawks, the 49ers went home for a Week 3 duel with the Detroit Lions. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with RB Frank Gore getting a 4-yard TD run. Striking again, Delanie Walker caught a touchdown pass shortly before half-time. The Lions responded with a 44-yard field goal by kicker Jason Hanson, yet the 49ers replied in the fourth quarter with CB Allen Rossum getting a 1-yard TD run. Detroit tried to rally as QB Jon Kitna completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Rudi Johnson, but San Francisco sealed their victory with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 25-yard field goal.

With the win, the 49ers improved to 2–1.

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 3 3 3817
Saints 0 21 01031

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Coming off their home win over the Lions, the 49ers flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 4 duel with the New Orleans Saints. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 47-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Saints took the lead with QB Drew Brees completing a 5-yard and a 33-yard TD pass to WR Lance Moore. San Francisco answered with Nedney's 49-yard field goal, yet New Orleans replied with Brees' 47-yard TD pass to WR Robert Meachem.

In the third quarter, the 49ers tried to rally as Nedney kicked a 38-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Saints continued to pull away as RB Deuce McAllister got a 1-yard TD run. The Niners tried to rally as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce, yet New Orleans sealed the win with kicker Martín Gramática nailing a 31-yard field goal.

With the loss, the 49ers fell to 2–2.

Week 5: vs. New England Patriots

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 10 7630
49ers 14 0 0721

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Saints, the 49ers went home for a Week 5 interconference duel with the New England Patriots. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 16-yard TD pass to RB Frank Gore. The Patriots responded with QB Matt Cassel completing a 66-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss, yet San Francisco answered with O'Sullivan completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, New England took the lead as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 35-yard field goal, along with RB Kevin Faulk getting a 2-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, the Patriots increased their lead with Faulk getting another 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, New England added on to its lead with Gostkowski kicking a 40-yard field goal. The Niners tried to come back as O'Sullivan completed a 5-yard TD pass to Bruce, but the Patriots pulled away with Gostkowski nailing a 49-yard field goal.

With the loss, San Francisco fell to 2–3.

During the halftime ceremony, the 49ers retired former QB Steve Young's #8 uniform.

Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 10 02340
49ers 6 10 10026

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

McNabb throws a pass

Hoping to snap a two-game losing skid, the 49ers stayed at home for a Week 6 duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 32-yard field goal. The Eagles took the lead as RB Correll Buckhalter got a 1-yard TD run. San Francisco responded with a 37-yard field goal by Nedney. In the second quarter, Philadelphia increased their lead as QB Donovan McNabb completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Hank Baskett, along with kicker David Akers getting a 19-yard field goal. The 49ers closed out the half with Nedney making a 53-yard field goal, along with DB Donald Strickland returning a blocked field goal attempt 41 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, the Niners took the lead as RB Frank Gore got a 6-yard TD run, along with Nedney getting a 29-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Eagles rallied as McNabb completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE L.J. Smith, Akers nailing a 38-yard, a 25-yard, & a 28-yard field goal, and DE Juqua Parker returning an interception 55 yards for a touchdown.

With their third-straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–4.

Week 7: at New York Giants

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 3 7 7017
Giants 7 10 7529

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Trying to snap a three-game losing skid, the 49ers flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 7 duel with the New York Giants. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs got a 26-yard TD run. San Francisco responded with a 40-yard field goal by kicker Joe Nedney. In the second quarter, New York answered with Jacobs getting a 2-yard TD run. The 49ers responded with QB J.T. O'Sullivan completing a 30-yard TD pass to rookie WR Josh Morgan. The Giants ended the half with kicker John Carney nailing a 21-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with QB Eli Manning completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. The Niners struck back as CB Nate Clements returned a block field goal 74 yards for a touchdown. However, in the fourth quarter, the Giants pulled away as Carney got a 48-yard field goal, while DE Justin Tuck forced O'Sullivan into a fumble, causing the ball to roll into San Francisco's endzone, and Morgan kicking it out of the back of the endzone, giving New York a safety.

With the fourth-straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–5.

On Monday, October 20, the day after the game, the 49ers fired coach Mike Nolan and replaced him with Mike Singletary.

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 6 14 7734
49ers 0 3 3713

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Giants, the 49ers went home for a Week 8 NFC West rematch with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, the Niners trailed early as Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare got a 43-yard and a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Seattle increased its lead with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 1-yard TD run. San Francisco got on the board with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 42-yard field goal, but the Seahawks continued its beatdown as CB Josh Wilson returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown.

In the third quarter, the 49ers replied with Nedney making a 40-yard field goal, yet Seattle continued to pull away as QB Seneca Wallace completed a 43-yard TD pass to FB Leonard Weaver. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco tried to rally as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to rookie WR Jason Hill. However, the Seahawks pulled away as Wallace hooked up with Weaver again on a 62-yard TD pass.

During the game, Vernon Davis committed a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct which prompted Singletary's now infamous "I want winners" tirade during the post-game press conference: "I'd rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else rather than play with 11 when I know that right now that person is not sold out to be a part of this team. It is more about them than it is about the team. Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win."[12]

With the loss, the 49ers enter into their bye week at 2–6.

Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 14 3024
Cardinals 3 10 7929

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Coming off their bye week, the 49ers flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 10 NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. Due to J.T. O'Sullivan's inconsistency, QB Shaun Hill was named the starter for the game.

In the first quarter, the Niners immediately struck first as CB Allen Rossum returned the game's opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. The Cardinals answered with a 28-yard field goal by kicker Neil Rackers. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased their lead as Hill completed a 31-yard TD pass to rookie WR Josh Morgan. Arizona responded with QB Kurt Warner completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin, along with Rackers making a 33-yard field goal. The Niners closed out the first half scoring with Hill completing an 18-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis.

In the third quarter, the Cardinals tried to catch up as Warner completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald, yet the 49ers answered with kicker Joe Nedney getting a 41-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Arizona took the lead as Racker nailed a 23-yard field goal, along with Warner hooking with Boldin again on a 4-yard TD pass (with a failed 2-point conversion). San Francisco did manage to get a late-game drive. However, the Cardinals' defense made a goal-line stand to end the game.

With their sixth straight loss, the 49ers fell to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. St. Louis Rams

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 3 6716
49ers 7 28 0035

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Hill takes a snap

Trying to snap a six-game losing streak, the 49ers went home for a Week 11 NFC West duel with their hated rival, the St. Louis Rams. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as RB Frank Gore got a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 24-yard field goal. Afterwards, San Francisco unleashed its frustrations as QB Shaun Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis, Gore got a 1-yard TD run, Hill got a 1-yard TD run, and Hill completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson.

In the third quarter, St. Louis got a 48-yard and a 44-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter QB Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker. The 49ers had deployed most of the second string roster for the 4th quarter.

Shaun Hill had a perfect passer rating in the first half and a career-high 47-yard completion. Hill also won NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

With their six-game losing streak snapped, the 49ers improved to 3–7.

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 6 0 31322
Cowboys 0 22 7635

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Coming off their divisional home win over the Rams, the 49ers flew to Texas Stadium for a Week 12 game with the throwback-clad Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as kicker Joe Nedney got a 23-yard and a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Cowboys took the lead as QB Tony Romo completed a 75-yard TD pass to former 49ers WR Terrell Owens. Dallas continued its domination as LB Carlos Polk blocked punter Andy Lee's punt into the back of the endzone for a safety. The Cowboys closed out its period of power as kicker Nick Folk got a 48-yard and a 41-yard field goal, along with Romo completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Martellus Bennett.

In the third quarter, Dallas increased its lead with Romo completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton. San Francisco tried to rally as Nedney got a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys answered with Folk getting a 47-yard field goal. The 49ers tried to come back as QB Shaun Hill completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce, but Dallas replied with Folk nailing a 42-yard field goal. The Niners tried to rally as Hill completed a 9-yard TD pass to RB DeShaun Foster, but that was as close as San Francisco's comeback got.

With the loss, the 49ers fell to 3–8.

Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 3 0010
Bills 0 0 303

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Cowboys, the 49ers flew to Ralph Wilson Stadium for a Week 13 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first as QB Shaun Hill completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased their lead as kicker Joe Nedney got a 50-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Bills tried to rally as kicker Rian Lindell nailed a 22-yard field goal. The Niners' defense held Buffalo's offense scoreless for the remainder of the game.

With the win, not only did the 49ers improve to 4–8, but they finally gave the West Coast its first East Coast win.

Week 14: vs. New York Jets

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 7 7014
49ers 7 7 01024

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Returning to Candlestick Park, the 49ers geared up for a rematch against Brett Favre and his new team. The game started when the 49ers attempted an onside kick, recovered by the Jets. Later, the 49ers went up first as Shaun Hill completed a pass to Jason Hill that was fumbled at the goal line and recovered by offensive tackle Joe Staley for the touchdown. Then, Brett Favre ran for a 2-yard touchdown. The 49ers retook the lead as Shaun Hill completed a touchdown screen pass to Frank Gore. After half-time, Thomas Jones plowed through the 49ers secondary to get a 17-yard score.

On the ensuing 49ers possession, a Shaun Hill touchdown pass to Delanie Walker was called back, and the 49ers settled for a Joe Nedney 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers cemented their lead when Shaun Hill completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to a diving Bryant Johnson. The Jets had enough time to make a late comeback, but a Brett Favre deep pass was intercepted by Walt Harris. The 49ers ran down the clock and punted, and the Jets did not have sufficient time to attempt the comeback. The 49ers fumbled the ball a total of 5 times, although they lost only one.

With the win, the 49ers improved to 5–8. However, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the Arizona Cardinals win against the St. Louis Rams, clinching the NFC West for Arizona.

Week 15: at Miami Dolphins

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 3 0 339
Dolphins 7 7 0014

at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Week 16: at St. Louis Rams

Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 3 0 01417
Rams 0 13 0316

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Dolphins, the 49ers flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 16 NFC West rematch with the awful Rams. In the first quarter, the Niners struck first with a 48-yard field goal from kicker Joe Nedney. The Rams took the lead in the second quarter with kicker Josh Brown's 43-yard field goal, quarterback Marc Bulger's 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keenan Burton, and Brown's 38-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, St. Louis increased its lead in the fourth quarter with Brown nailing a 22-yard field goal. Afterwards, San Francisco took the lead with quarterback Shaun Hill completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaac Bruce and a 48-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Josh Morgan.

With the season-sweep, the 49ers improved to 6–9. This was also the 1st time the 49ers swept the Rams since 2005.

Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins

Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 17 0724
49ers 7 0 71327

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Looking to keep the momentum from their last-minute victory against the Rams, the 49ers closed out their season at home in a Week 17 duel with the Washington Redskins. San Francisco struck first in the first quarter as quarterback Shaun Hill got a 2-yard touchdown run. Washington took the lead in the second quarter as running back Clinton Portis got a 4-yard touchdown run, kicker Shaun Suisham got a 41-yard field goal, and quarterback Jason Campbell completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antwaan Randle El.

The 49ers began to rally in the third quarter as running back DeShaun Foster got a 1-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco took the lead as Hill completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Hill, along with kicker Joe Nedney's 33-yard field goal. The Redskins tied the game as Campbell getting a 2-yard touchdown run, yet the Niners prevailed as Nedney nailed the game-winning 39-yard field goal.

They were 2–5 under Coach Mike Nolan at the beginning of the season, and finished their season 5–4 under interim coach Mike Singletary. With the strong finish to their season, the 49ers ended their season at 7–9, 2 games behind the division leading Arizona who finished 9–7.

San Francisco running back Frank Gore (11 carries for 58 yards) became the first player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Shortly after the game ended, the 49ers announced that the 'interim' label had been removed from head coach Mike Singletary and that he would return next season. New 49ers team president Jed York reportedly signed Singletary to a 4-year deal worth approximately $10 million.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Gay, Nancy (March 1, 2008). "49ers, Bruce agree on deal". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  2. ^ FitzGerald, Tom (February 6, 2008). "QB Hill Signs With 49ers". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  3. ^ "49ers sign WR Bryant Johnson from Cardinals". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  4. ^ Gay, Nancy (March 2, 2008). "49ers spend big on defensive end". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved March 2, 2008.
  5. ^ Crumpacker, John (February 28, 2008). "Nose tackle Sopoaga re-ups with 49ers". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  6. ^ "Strickland is back". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008. [dead link]
  7. ^ "Defensive end signs four-year deal to become Tampa's ninth new addition". ESPN. 2008. Archived from the original on March 15, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  8. ^ Gay, Nancy (March 5, 2008). "Walker, Harris join Raiders". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  9. ^ "Vikings sign ex-49ers RB/KR Maurice Hicks to 3-year contract". Associated Press. 2008. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
  10. ^ "LB Smith agrees with Chargers five days after 49ers released him". Canadian Press. 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "2008 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  12. ^ TSN (December 27, 2010). "Singletary Fired by 49ers After Two Disappointing Seasons".
  13. ^ Crumpacker, John (December 29, 2008). "Singletary named coach after 49ers win". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
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