49ers vs Falcons 1998 NFC Divisional 

POV: you're looking for the Garrison Hearst injury after watching the history of the Atlanta Falcons by Jon Bois

This was really the end of an era for the 49ers. Tough way to go out with Hearst.

That lateral fumble is just one of many plays that justified bringing back instant replay.

This game would’ve been so much different without the Hearst injury but that call on the backwards pass did almost as much to level the playing field for the 49ers that I’m not sure it would’ve changed the result

This marked -The first playoff win for the Falcons since 1991 -The first home playoff win for the Atlanta Falcons since 1978 -The first ever divisional round playoff win in Atlanta Falcons history -The final career playoff game for Steve Young -The final playoff game for Jerry Rice as a 49er -The first playoff win for Dan Reeves as head coach since 1993

I was at this game - the Georgia Dome could get pretty damn loud back in the day.

I hate how this Falcons team gets disrespected in hindsight. They were 14-2 that year, the same record as the Broncos, and they beat the--at that time--greatest offense ever to exist, Vikings or not. But with hindsight, they would have you believe they were some 10-6 or 11-5 team that got lucky. The Vikings had several chances to win that game, not just with Gary Anderson's missed kick, but they didn't. Jamal Anderson led the NFC in rushing that year and would have led the league had it not been for TD's 2k season. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my opinion. Have a Happy New Year.

This was painful to watch due to Garrison's toe got stuck on the turf

I remember this game. So many memories. Wife went to Florida to see a dying friend and her family who are originally from Atlanta. My family are long suffering Falcon fans. I was already feeling tears coming when Talley made that stop. Then that INT to seal it. Wife called and she was in tears and the friends too. SF, hate it Hearst got hurt, but we had that game.

here from history of the atlanta falcons.

I remember that injury like it was yesterday. Worst feeling in a game I've had until last year when Brock Purdy got injured. I believe both games would have turned out differently if not for those injuries.

Damn the Falcons are 0-2 in the SB.

Such an exciting year. My mother and I enjoyed this season. #ATL #AFN

I always liked Tim Dwight!...I also always thought Dan Reeves didn't get the respect he deserved....he lost 4 Super Bowls yet so did Marv Levy and he's in the HOF.

I was up north in the day room watching this game .. Memories boy

Remember that game on a Saturday! Great memories!!

Steve Young with another playoff game making critical mistakes. For as great as he was he just wasn’t a good playoff QB (aside from the super bowl vs chargers).

Game was decided on the 1st play. Hearst had 2100 all purpose yards in 98 & was the engine of that offense. 49ers would've missed the playoffs without him.

Falcons had some ballers on defense Corneilious Bennett, Chuck Smith, Ray Buchanan and Eugene Robinson

Forgot about this one

Man Garrison Hearst getting hurt really messed us up this game

That was a gruesome injury to Hearst

Hearst don't get injured we win the superbowl...

Wild watching refs blow calls all the time in these old games

The year I fell in love with Falcons football! I’ve had my share of disappointment but I wouldn’t trade it!

21 Years Ago

With the exception of the delightful player and human being Warrick Dunn, Jamal Anderson influenced me always preferring the bruising back that can break tackles over a small elusive back. I absolutely loved having Michael Turner bulldoze players in Atlanta for several years.

Steve Young really shit the bed

Injuries are part of the game....back ups are there for a reason.

we shouldve went to the superbowl that year!

I'm here because of Jon Bois, oh god the Hearst injury really is that bad.

Kirby did have possession and he was down. I’m not sure what the controversy was about. Maybe because the officials made two different rulings on the same play. I’ve never seen that before.

Steve young cost them this game 2 bad ints but they wouldn’t of won Super Bowl without Hearst

If only we won the SB that year

These teams played three times that season, with the Falcons scoring 71 points and the 49ers scoring 68 points. Can't get a whole lot more evenly matched than that in 180 minutes of football.

I remember this game we lost then they lost to elway

the firts madden curse

Said it in a couple of replies, but BOY there's a good reason the Secret Base crew decided to omit the clip of that injury from their documentary. I mean, *Jesus*. It almost looks like his foot's getting sheared off. I'm not quite seeing what Alex was talking about w/r/t Hearst's other foot getting "stuck" in the turf, though. It more looks like the turf was slick and he landed at an awful angle while trying to correct.

If Garrison Hearst doesn’t get hurt, niners would’ve won unfortunately that was a huge injury 😭

First recorded case of the madden curse.

Beginning of the end of that 49er core

I'm surprise Pat Summerall & John Madden didn't commentary this game

Would have been so much fun if that 49ers team faced the Vikings the following week

*shows replay of Garrison Hearst breaking his leg* Announcer: oh god don't show that again Other announcer: y'know he pulled his hamstring two weeks ago

SF would have won it all this year if Garrison wasn’t hurt. I remember this game like it was yesterday. That 49ers team was special.

Back when all the refs were senior citizens

That butchered kickoff and bad punt return lost that game

Falcons lose......had Hearst not gotten hurt.

GB would of killed Atlanta

plasticity ..?