2004 San Francisco 49ers season


The 2004 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 55th in the National Football League, the 59th overall and their second and final under head coach Dennis Erickson, as he was fired after the season.
The 49ers attempted to improve on their 7–9 output from the previous season, but the 49ers finished the season at 2–14, both wins coming against division-rival Arizona Cardinals in overtime. The 49ers earned the #1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, where they selected quarterback Alex Smith, who would play for the team for eight seasons.
The season marked changes for the 49ers, who lost three key members of the 2001 team: Quarterback Jeff Garcia was released in the off-season and later signed with the Cleveland Browns, running back Garrison Hearst went to the Denver Broncos, and controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens went to the Philadelphia Eagles, where they lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Offseason

NFL draft

Roster

Schedules

Preseason

Regular season

Game Summaries

Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons

at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point, San Francisco, California
Weather 68 °F
Sunday, September 12, 2004
The 49ers opened the season at home against the Falcons. The game was statistically dominated by the 49ers, but they were required to make a fourth quarter comeback. The 49ers had an opportunity to tie the game, but a two-point conversion pass attempt from Tim Rattay fell harmlessly to the ground. The loss had the 49ers open the season at 0–1.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
ATL- Alge Crumpler 15-yard pass from Michael Vick ATL 7-0
2nd Quarter
ATL- Warrick Dunn 2-yard rush ATL 14-0
SF- Todd Peterson 23-yard field goal ATL 14-3

3rd Quarter
SF- Todd Peterson 32-yard field goal 14-6
4th Quarter
ATL- Warrick Dunn 9-yard rush ATL 21-3
SF- Cedrick Wilson 8-yard pass from Tim Rattay ATL 21-13
SF- Eric Johnson 16-yard pass from Tim Rattay ATL 21-19

Week 2: at New Orleans Saints

at Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, September 19, 2004
In a high-scoring battle, in which both teams scored during all four quarters, the Saints bested the 49ers by a three-point differential. The 49ers took an early lead with a 30-yard field goal by Todd Peterson, but after the Saints scored, the 49ers played catch-up the rest of the game. With this close loss, the 49ers dropped to 0–2 on the season.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Todd Peterson 30-yard field goal SF 3-0
NO- Joe Horn 8-yard pass from Aaron Brooks NO 7-3
NO- John Carney 32-yard field goal NO 10-3
2nd Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow 10-yard rush TIED 10-10
NO- Jerome Pathon 37-yard pass from Aaron Brooks NO 17-10
NO- John Carney 36-yard field goal NO 20-10
SF- Kevan Barlow 1-yard rush NO 20-17
3rd Quarter
NO- John Carney 37-yard field goal NO 23-17
SF- Todd Peterson 33-yard field goal NO 23-20
4th Quarter
SF- Jamal Robertson 1-yard rush SF 27-23
NO- Donté Stallworth 16-yard pass from Aaron Brooks NO 30-27

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks

At Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington
Sunday, September 26, 2004
The 49ers suffered a 34–0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in week 3. It was the first shutout of a 49ers team since the Atlanta Falcons handed them a 7–0 loss in week 4 of the 1977 NFL Season. This remains the longest such streak in the NFL. While the Seahawks scored several field goals and touchdowns, the 49ers could only manage nine first downs and turned the ball over four times. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 0–3.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter
SEA – Josh Brown 35-yard field goal SEA 3-0
SEA – Shaun Alexander 1-yard rush SEA 10-0
SEA – Shaun Alexander 3-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck 17-0
2nd Quarter
SEA – Shaun Alexander 1-yard rush 24-0
3rd Quarter
SEA – Itula Mili 1-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck 31-0
SEA – Josh Brown 28-yard field goal SEA 34-0

Week 4: vs. St. Louis Rams

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California
Weather 62 °F
Sunday, October 3, 2004
Again the 49ers struggled, not putting any points on the board until the fourth quarter. Despite Tim Rattay throwing for 299 yards and the team gaining more first downs than the Rams, St. Louis' defense held fast, preventing the 49ers from scoring until the fourth quarter. The loss meant the 49ers started the season at 0–4.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
STL- Joey Goodspeed 2-yard rush STL 7-0
STL- Shaun McDonald 6-yard pass from Marc Bulger STL 14-0
2nd Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins 20-yard field goal STL 17-0
STL- Steven Jackson 2-yard rush 24-0
4th Quarter
SF- Curtis Conway 9-yard pass from Tim Rattay STL 24-7
SF- Rashaun Woods 18-yard pass from Tim Rattay STL 24-14

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California
Weather 74 °F
Sunday, October 10, 2004
The 49ers finally won their first game of the season in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. After a scoreless first quarter, the Cardinals took a 16-point lead 28–12. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers scored 16 unanswered points to tie the game as regulation ended. In the overtime period, the 49ers' kicker Todd Peterson sent a 32-yard kick through the uprights, giving the 49ers their first victory of the season. Now in the win column, the 49ers were 1–4.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
AZ- Freddie Jones 16-yard pass from Josh McCown AZ 7-0
SF- Todd Peterson 37-yard field goal AZ 7-3
AZ- Troy Hambrick 2-yard pass from Josh McCown AZ 14-3
SF- Todd Peterson 42-yard field goal AZ 14-6
3rd Quarter
SF- Arnaz Battle 71-yard punt return AZ 14-12
4th Quarter
AZ- Emmitt Smith 10-yard rush AZ 21-12
AZ- Larry Fitzgerald 24-yard pass from Josh McCown AZ 28-12
SF- Eric Johnson 6-yard pass from Tim Rattay AZ 28-20
SF- Brandon Lloyd 23-yard pass from Tim Rattay TIED 28-28
Overtime
SF- Todd Peterson 32-yard field goal SF 31-28

Week 6: at New York Jets

At Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Sunday, October 17, 2004
It seemed the 49ers would have their second straight victory when they secured a 14-point lead before halftime. However, the 49ers' defense fell apart after the half and the Jets scored 22 unanswered points and forced two turnovers to secure the win. With the 49ers' loss, they fell to 1–5 heading into their bye week.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Brandon Lloyd 33-yard pass from Tim Rattay SF 7-0
2nd Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow 2-yard rush SF 14-0
NYJ- Doug Brien 43-yard field goal SF 14-3
3rd Quarter
NYJ- LaMont Jordan 17-yard rush SF 14-9
4th Quarter
NYJ- Curtis Martin 1-yard rush NYJ 15-14
NYJ- Curtis Martin 9-yard rush NYJ 22-14

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

At Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Coming out of their bye, the 49ers took an early lead, this time 10–7, however, they were shut out in the second half. Despite three turnovers, the Bears came away with the victory. Between the two teams, five field goals were scored, including two from longer than 50 yards. The loss dropped the 49ers to 1–6 on the season.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter
CHI- Bernard Berrian 49-yard pass from Craig Krenzel CHI 7-0
SF- Dwaine Carpenter 80-yard fumble return TIED 7-7
SF- Todd Peterson 48-yard field goal SF 10-7
2nd Quarter
CHI- Paul Edinger 52-yard field goal TIED 10-10
SF- Todd Peterson 51-yard field goal SF 13-10
CHI- Paul Edinger 45-yard field goal TIED 13-13
4th Quarter
CHI- Paul Edinger 27-yard field goal CHI 16-13
CHI- Nathan Vasher 71-yard interception return CHI 23-13

Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California
Weather 60 °F
Sunday, November 7, 2004
In another high-score affair, the Seahawks clinched a season sweep over the 49ers using their high-powered offense. The game was back-and-forth until the Seahawks a lead at 28–24 that they would not relinquish, beating the 49ers in nearly every statistically category. Their third straight loss dropped the 49ers to 1–7.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow 3-yard rush SF 7-0
SEA- Darrell Jackson 33-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck TIED 7-7
SF- Curtis Conway 28-yard pass from Tim Rattay SF 14-7
2nd Quarter
SEA- Shaun Alexander 1-yard rush TIED 14-14
SEA- Shaun Alexander 4-yard rush SEA 21-14
SF- Todd Peterson 27-yard field goal SEA 21-17
3rd Quarter
SF- Brandon Lloyd 39-yard pass from Tim Rattay SF 24-21
SEA- Koren Robinson 25-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck SEA 28-24
SEA- Darrell Jackson 39-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck SEA 35-24
4th Quarter
SF- Todd Peterson 30-yard field goal SEA 35-27
SEA- Anthony Simmons 23-yard interception return SEA 42-27

Week 10: vs. Carolina Panthers

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California
Weather 63 °F
Sunday, November 14, 2004
It appeared the 49ers would snap their three-game losing streak when they took at 17–0 lead, however, the Panthers were able to slowly creep back into the game. Several field goals and touchdowns later, the game was tied at 27 and the Panthers scored a final field goal to come away with the win, 30–27. The loss dropped the 49ers to 1–8 and completed their second four-game losing streak of the season.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow 1-yard rush SF 7-0
SF- Todd Peterson 28-yard field goal SF 10-0
2nd Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow 3-yard rush SF 17-0
CAR- John Kasay 37-yard field goal SF 17-3
3rd Quarter
CAR- John Kasay 25-yard field goal SF 17-6
CAR- Brandon Bennett 1-yard rush SF 17-13
CAR- Muhsin Muhammad 40-yard pass from Jake Delhomme CAR 20-17
SF- Todd Peterson 46-yard field goal TIED 20-20
4th Quarter
SF- Brandon Lloyd 30-yard pass from Tim Rattay SF 27-20
CAR- Muhsin Muhammad 4-yard pass from Jake Delhomme TIED 27-27
CAR- Todd Sauerbrun 34-yard field goal CAR 30-27
CAR- Muhsin Muhammad 26-yard pass from Jake Delhomme CAR 37-27

Week 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

At Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Sunday, November 21, 2004
The 49ers didn't have a chance in this lopsided game, falling to the Buccaneers 35–3. With an output of only 197 total yards, the 49ers' lone field goal came off the foot of kicker Todd Peterson from 47 yards out. Their fifth consecutive loss brought the 49ers down to 1–9.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
TB- Michael Pittman 14-yard rush TB 7-0
2nd Quarter
TB- Joe Jurevicius 9-yard pass from Brian Griese TB 14-0
TB- Joe Jurevicius 42-yard pass from Brian Griese TB 21-0
3rd Quarter
TB- Michael Pittman 6-yard rush TB 28-0
SF- Todd Peterson 47-yard field goal TB 28-3
4th Quarter
TB- Torrie Cox 55-yard interception return 35-3

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California
Weather 55 °F
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Looking to snap their five-game losing streak, the 49ers were, statistically, the better team, but three turnovers doomed their chances. The 49ers led at one point, 10–7, but the Dolphins regained the lead in the fourth quarter and the 49ers came away with another loss, 24–17. This loss was their six straight and tenth of the season.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
MIA- Chris Chambers 25-yard pass from A. J. Feeley MIA 7-0
2nd Quarter
SF- Todd Peterson 19-yard field goal MIA 7-3
4th Quarter
SF- Derek Smith 46-yard fumble return SF 10-7
MIA- Randy McMichael 15-yard pass from A. J. Feeley MIA 14-10
MIA- Olindo Mare 50-yard field goal MIA 17-10
MIA- Derrick Pope 1-yard fumble return MIA 24-10
SF- Maurice Hicks 1-yard rush MIA 24-17

Week 13: at St. Louis Rams

At Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
Sunday, December 5, 2004
In a low-scoring contest, the 49ers lost to the division rival Rams by a score of 16–6. The 49ers were limited to only nine first downs in the game and could only manage two field goals, one of which was from 51 yards. This game marked the 49ers' seventh consecutive loss as they fell to 1–11 and they were swept by the Rams for the first time since 2001.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins 29-yard field goal STL 3-0
SF- Todd Peterson 51-yard field goal TIED 3-3
2nd Quarter
STL- Torry Holt 22-yard pass from Chris Chandler STL 10-3
STL- Jeff Wilkins 52-yard field goal STL 13-3
3rd Quarter
SF- Todd Peterson 40-yard field goal STL 13-6
4th Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins 52-yard field goal STL 16-6

Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals

At Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Sunday, December 12, 2004
In an overtime game, the 49ers managed to snap their seven-game losing streak by outdueling the Arizona Cardinals, 31–28. The 49ers seemingly had this game already wrapped up when they took a twenty-one point lead, but the Cardinals fought back and scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. A 31-yard field goal by Todd Peterson sealed the victory for the 49ers. Breaking their seven-game streak, the 49ers improved to 2–11. At this point of the season, the 49ers were 2–0 against the Cardinals and 0–11 against the rest of the league.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Brandon Lloyd 5-yard pass from Ken Dorsey SF 7-0
2nd Quarter
SF- Cedrick Wilson 19-yard pass from Ken Dorsey SF 14-0
SF- Maurice Hicks 1-yard rush SF 21-0
AZ- Neil Rackers 44-yard field goal SF 21-3
3rd Quarter
SF- Cedrick Wilson 27-yard pass from Ken Dorsey SF 28-3
AZ- Obafemi Ayanbadejo 4-yard rush SF 28-10
AZ- Obafemi Ayanbadejo 1-yard rush SF 28-17
AZ- Emmitt Smith 8-yard rush SF 28-25
AZ- Neil Rackers 22-yard field goal TIED 28-28
Overtime
SF- Todd Peterson 31-yard field goal SF 31-28

Week 15: vs. Washington Redskins

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California

Weather, sunny

Saturday, December 18, 2004
The 49ers failed in their attempt to string together two victories, losing this contest 26–16 to the Redskins. The 49ers never led, but they did score a rare safety in the second quarter. Statistically, it was a close game, both teams posting similar yardage and first downs, however, four interceptions by 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey sealed the loss and dropped the team to 2–12.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
WAS- Robert Royal 12-yard pass from Patrick Ramsey WAS 7-0
SF- Brandon Lloyd 17-yard pass from Ken Dorsey TIED 7-7
2nd Quarter
WAS- Jeff Chandler 49-yard field goal WAS 10-7
WAS- Jeff Chandler 25-yard field goal WAS 13-7
WAS- Jeff Chandler 20-yard field goal WAS 16-7
SF- Safety WAS 16-9
WAS- Antonio Pierce 78-yard interception return WAS 23-9
3rd Quarter
WAS- Jeff Chandler 26-yard field goal WAS 26-9
4th Quarter
SF- Curtis Conway 11-yard pass from Ken Dorsey WAS 26-16

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

At Monster Park, San Francisco, California

Weather, rain

Sunday, December 26, 2004
In a blowout, the Bills dominated the 49ers 41–7. While the Bills managed to score in the double-digits in three of the four quarters, the 49ers only managed a single touchdown in the final minutes of the game. This was the second consecutive game in which the 49ers had four turnovers and the Bills were able to roll up over twice as many total yards as the 49ers. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 2–13 going into the final game of the season.
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
BUF- Willis McGahee 3-yard rush
BUF- Rian Lindell 23-yard field goal

BUF- Lee Evans 8-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe
3rd Quarter
BUF- Rian Lindell 31-yard field goal
BUF- Willis McGahee 1-yard rush
4th Quarter
BUF- Lee Evans 33-yard pass from Shane Matthews
BUF- Shaud Williams 27-yard rush
SF- Kevan Barlow 1-yard rush

Week 17: at New England Patriots

At Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Hoping to end their miserable season with a win, the 49ers flew to Gillette Stadium to play a Patriots team that was looking for the second seed in the AFC playoffs. In a game in which one touchdown was scored each quarter, the 49ers lost to the New England Patriots 21–7. The 49ers struck first, but the Patriots defense held them to that single touchdown. Both teams were riddled with mistakes, both turnovers and penalties; however, the Patriots were able to capitalize on the 49ers' errors.
The 49ers closed their season at 2–14 on a three-game losing streak, giving the team the first overall pick in the draft.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Steve Bush 4-yard pass from Ken Dorsey
2nd Quarter
NE- Mike Vrabel 1-yard pass from Tom Brady
3rd Quarter
NE- Deion Branch 8-yard pass from Tom Brady
4th Quarter
NE- Corey Dillon 6-yard rush

Standings