Week 3: "Montana's Finest Hour"

Joe Montana’s extraordinary ability, physical courage, and poise under pressure were all demonstrated one Sunday afternoon in September 1989. At Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champion 49ers traveled to play the Eagles in a matchup of 2-0 teams. Despite a 68-yard Montana-to-Jerry Rice touchdown pass in the opening quarter, the Eagles controlled the action most of the way, leading by 11 in the fourth quarter and disrupting Montana, who was sacked eight times. But in that final period, Montana raised his game to another level: He threw four touchdown passes in the quarter, including a 70-yard throw to John Taylor and a 33-yard one to Jerry Rice, as the 49ers won 38-28. Overall, Montana completed 25 of 34 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns; he’d go on to win his 2nd straight league’s MVP as the 49ers repeated as Super Bowl champions. ― NFL 100

Box Score: Football Reference

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