Faithful Flashbacks #11: The Catch II

Faithful Flashbacks revisits Steve Young finding Terrell Owens for The Catch II, a playoff finish that finally got the 49ers past Green Bay.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Aug 26, 2026, 7:00 AM Updated: 9:36 am

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In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called Faithful Flashbacks.

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from on the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will count down to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

Coming in at No. 11 on our ‘Faithful Flashbacks’ countdown of the 80 best moments in franchise history is “The Catch II.”

By the late 1990s, the 49ers were still one of the league’s better teams, but the Green Bay Packers were threatening in their own right. San Francisco had already been knocked out by Green Bay in three straight postseasons, with Brett Favre and the Packers taking on the role Dallas had held earlier in the decade.

The Wild Card matchup between the two at Candlestick Park felt bigger than a normal first-round playoff game. The 49ers still had Steve Young, Jerry Rice and an emerging, young Terrell Owens. It was enough offensive talent to keep them alive in any game.

The Packers matchup was that type of night, including a controversial late fumble (what appeared to be) by Rice that was not ruled a turnover. But the highlight moment that earned this spot came when the 49ers were trailing late and needed one more drive.

Young had been taking hits throughout the night, but had to keep buying enough time for something to open. With only seconds left, he found Owens over the middle for a 25-yard touchdown. Owens held on through contact, then was overcome by the moment as teammates surrounded him in the end zone.

1/3/1999

Terrell Owens and Steve Young team up to complete The Catch II and stun the Packers in the Wild Card round pic.twitter.com/7U7gONlJ4P

— BGPG (@BleedGreenPGold) January 3, 2026

The touchdown gave the 49ers a 30-27 win with eight seconds remaining. It also gave San Francisco one of its most famous playoff finishes and finally got the 49ers past the Packers after years of postseason frustration.

Calling it “The Catch II” placed it alongside Dwight Clark’s touchdown against Dallas, a comparison that is not handed out lightly in 49ers history. Clark’s catch was an iconic launch to their eventual dynasty. Owens’ catch didn’t lead to a Super Bowl, with San Francisco losing the next week to Atlanta, but the moment still stands on its own as memorable.

For Young, it was an impressive late playoff comeback that added to his postseason progress. It was also the first signature postseason moment of his Owens’ 49ers career. For the franchise, it was the kind of finish that still holds up because of the weight of the moment, postseason pressure, and who was involved.

More Faithful Flashbacks from Sactown Sports

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Preseason

Thursday, August 27th – @ Las Vegas Raiders – 5:00 pm PT

Regular Season

Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT

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