Faithful Flashbacks #44: Alex Smith Stuns Saints

Faithful Flashbacks revisits Alex Smith, Vernon Davis and the 49ers’ dramatic playoff win over the Saints.

Jul 13, 2026, 11:10 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 the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the 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. 44 on our ‘Faithful Flashbacks’ countdown of the 80 best moments in franchise history is Alex Smith and Vernon Davis delivering one of the 49ers’ more memorable playoff finishes.

The 2011 season had already changed how Smith was viewed in San Francisco. After years of coaching changes, injuries, uneven offensive situations, and constant debate over whether he could be the long-term answer, Smith finally found stability under Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers were no longer just trying to get through another frustrating season. They went 13-3, won the NFC West, and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The defense was one of the best in the league, the team had a clear identity again, and Smith had gone from being a constant question to a quarterback trusted to manage winning football.

The divisional matchup against the Saints still felt like a different kind of challenge. New Orleans had Drew Brees, one of the league’s most dangerous offenses and the kind of passing attack that could make even a great defense feel uncomfortable. For the 49ers, this was a chance to prove the regular-season turnaround could hold up against one of the NFC’s best teams.

San Francisco forced five New Orleans turnovers, which gave the 49ers a real chance to control the game. But the part everyone remembers came late, when the final few minutes turned into one of the wildest stretches in franchise playoff history.

Smith scored on a late quarterback run to put the 49ers ahead, only for Brees and the Saints to answer with a long touchdown that looked like it could end San Francisco’s season. With little time left, Smith led the offense back down the field and found Vernon Davis for the 14-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining.

Davis held on through contact, celebrated through tears, and gave the 49ers a 36-32 win that immediately joined the franchise’s long list of famous postseason moments.

The 49ers’ season ended the next week against the Giants, but this game remains the defining moment of that Harbaugh-Smith run. After everything Smith had gone through in San Francisco, he delivered the playoff moment that brought the 49ers back to the NFC Championship Game.

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Late July 2026 – NFL Training Camps open
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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