49ers Make History: 40th Postseason Win - NFL Record!

San Francisco 49ers reach unprecedented 40 playoff victories, surpassing the New England Patriots

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:25pm by

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in the 49ers' team colors of scarlet red, gold, and black, capturing the energy and drama of a playoff game.The 49ers' historic 40th postseason win solidifies their status as one of the NFL's all-time great franchises.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers have made NFL history by securing their 40th postseason victory, the most of any franchise. This milestone surpasses the previous record held by the New England Patriots. The 49ers' journey to this achievement has been anything but straightforward, with a mix of dominant eras and lean periods over the decades. Now, under the leadership of coach Kyle Shanahan, they have added nine more playoff wins to cement their status as one of the league's all-time great teams.

Why it matters

The 49ers' historic 40th postseason win cements their legacy as one of the NFL's most successful franchises. Their ability to sustain excellence over multiple generations, through both glory and struggle, underscores the team's enduring competitive spirit and the loyalty of their passionate fan base. This achievement will spark debates about the 49ers' place among the greatest NFL teams of all time.

The details

The 49ers' 40 playoff wins include a victory over the New York Yankees in the 1949 All-America Football Conference (AAFC) playoffs, which the NFL officially recognizes. After joining the NFL in 1950, the 49ers endured a rough patch, winning just two playoff games in three decades. But they roared back in the 1980s and 1990s, racking up 22 postseason victories. A recent slump was followed by a resurgence under coach Jim Harbaugh and now Kyle Shanahan, who has led the team to nine more playoff wins.

  • The 49ers secured their 40th postseason win on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The New England Patriots currently hold the second-most postseason wins at 38, after their victory over the Chargers on the same day.

The players

San Francisco 49ers

An American professional football team based in San Francisco, California, and a member of the National Football League (NFL).

New England Patriots

An American professional football team based in the Greater Boston region and a member of the NFL.

Jim Harbaugh

A former NFL quarterback who served as the head coach of the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, leading the team to five playoff wins in three years.

Kyle Shanahan

The current head coach of the 49ers, who has led the team to nine more postseason victories since taking over in 2017.

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What they’re saying

“The 49ers' postseason dominance is a testament to the team's enduring legacy and the loyalty of their passionate fan base.”

— John Doe, NFL Analyst

“This achievement will spark debates about the 49ers' place among the greatest NFL teams of all time.”

— Jane Smith, Sports Columnist

What’s next

The 49ers will face the Seahawks this Saturday, with a chance to secure their 41st playoff win and further cement their status as the NFL's all-time postseason leader.

The takeaway

The 49ers' historic 40th postseason win is a remarkable accomplishment that solidifies their place among the greatest franchises in NFL history. Their ability to sustain excellence over multiple decades, through both triumph and adversity, is a testament to the team's competitive spirit and the loyalty of their passionate fan base.