Reply #14: Agree that comparing Cowboys to Niners is apples & oranges. [View All]

the 80's and early 90's run for the Niners was impressive. But don't discount the 3 championships in 4 years from '92 to 95, something that the Patriots are about to repeat here in 2005, which is probably even more impressive because we're knee deep in the modern free-agency era.

Also, despite only winning 2 super bowls during the 70's consider the competition during that era coming from the AFC. The 49ers never had to deal with the likes of the Steelers, Raiders or Dolphins teams from that era. Keep in mind that Dallas was the only NFC team to win the Super Bowl during that entire decade.

What the Niners faced in the 80's was pretty weak (and even then the Bengals played them pretty tight twice). To be fair, Dallas' competition (and SF's) in the 90's wasnt' much better. Until the Broncos came along, the AFC was still the doormat conference. Dallas and SF were the class of the NFL for a while there before the Packers cut in on the action later in the decade.

But to those who say the Niners 5 Super Bowl wins in 5 tries is better than 5 wins in 8 tries, I say no way. It's always better to get to the Super Bowl and lose than to not get there at all. :)