One of those meetings occurred during the strike-shortened 1982 season.
Despite their 3-5 record entering the Jan. 2, 1983, season finale against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park, the 49ers needed just one victory over their rival to qualify for the playoffs a year after winning their first Super Bowl title.
It was Joe Montana vs. Vince Ferragamo.
It was Wendell Tyler against the 49ers' defense.
The Whiners grabbed a 20-7 halftime lead after Montana hit Renaldo Nehemiah for a 29-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.
But Ray Wersching missed the extra point, which seem rather inconsequential at the time.
The 49ers were rolling and they were certain they were playoff-bound.
But the Rams weren't about to give in.
In a bitterly contested second half, the Rams' defense shut down Montana, who was 20-of-38 for 200 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception.
But Montana couldn't work his magic in the second half.
Tyler, who would end up being traded to the 49ers in the off-season, pulled the Rams within 20-14 on a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Ferragamo then threw a touchdown pass to George Farmer that put the Rams ahead 21-20 in the fourth quarter. LISTEN
The 49ers put Wersching in a position atone for his missed extra point, but Ivory Sully slipped through to block the field-goal attempt late in the game, ending the 49ers' dreams of making another Super Bowl run.
And letting Ray Malavasi go out a winner.
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