The 1949 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's fourth season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The 1949 season was the final season before the league folded and comprised only twelve games instead of the previously standard fourteen. The 49ers were unable to improve on the previous season's output of 12âÂÂ2, only posting a record of 9âÂÂ3, however, they were able to make their first playoff appearance. This was due to the league taking a different format, in which the top four teams played a tournament to determine the champion.
The 49ers, with the second seed, played the third-seeded New York Yankees (8âÂÂ4). With their 17âÂÂ7 victory over the Yankees, the 49ers moved on to play the Cleveland Browns in the league championship. The 49ers ended up losing 21âÂÂ7. Until Super Bowl XLVII, it was the only time the 49ers lost a league title game.