The 1980 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 31st season in the National Football League and their 35th overall. This was the second year with the team for both head coach Bill Walsh and quarterback Joe Montana, who became the starter in week seven, replacing Steve DeBerg.
The 49ers looked to improve on their previous output of 2âÂÂ14 (both of the two previous seasons); despite succeeding in improving their record, having posted a 6âÂÂ10 record, they failed to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
On December 7, 1980, the 49ers rallied from down 35âÂÂ7, scoring 31 unanswered points to defeat the winless New Orleans Saints in overtime. This was the last full season (excluding the strike shortened 1982 season) until 1999 that the 49ers finished with fewer than ten wins.
The 49ers fought back from a 28-point deficit in the second half to win in overtime 38âÂÂ35. The game was named as #8 on NFL Top 10 on Top Ten Comebacks.