2004 San Francisco 49ers season The San Francisco 49ers started their 2004 season hoping to improve upon their disappointing 7 - 9 output from the previous season . However , the season was a complete disaster , as the 49ers were the worst team in football in 2004 . The 49ers managed only two victories , both coming against division - rival Arizona Cardinals in overtime . Dennis Erickson was fired after the season . Regular season . Week 1 : vs . Atlanta Falcons . at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Sunday , September 12 , 2004 The 49ers opened the season at home against the Falcons . The game was statistically dominated by the 49ers , but they were required to make a fourth quarter comeback to make the game interesting . The 49ers had an opportunity to tie the game , but a two - point conversion pass attempt from Tim Rattay fell harmlessly to the ground . The loss had the 49ers open the season at 0 - 1 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter ATL - Alge Crumpler 15 yard pass from Michael Vick ( Jay Feely kick ) 2nd Quarter ATL - Warrick Dunn 2 yard rush ( Jay Feely kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 23 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 32 yard field goal 4th Quarter ATL - Warrick Dunn 9 yard rush ( Jay Feely kick ) SF - Cedrick Wilson 8 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Eric Johnson 16 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( pass failed ) Week 2 : at New Orleans Saints . at Superdome , New Orleans , Louisiana Sunday , September 19 , 2004 In a high - scoring battle , in which both teams scored during all four quarters , the Saints bested the 49ers by a three point differential . The 49ers took an early lead with a 30 - yard field goal by Todd Peterson , but after the Saints scored , the 49ers played catch - up the rest of the game . With this close loss , the 49ers dropped to 0 - 2 on the season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 30 yard field goal NO - Joe Horn 8 yard pass from Aaron Brooks ( John Carney kick ) NO - John Carney 32 yard field goal 2nd Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 10 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) NO - Jerome Pathon 37 yard pass from Aaron Brooks ( John Carney kick ) NO - John Carney 36 yard field goal SF - Kevan Barlow 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) 3rd Quarter NO - John Carney 37 yard field goal SF - Todd Peterson 33 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Jamal Robertson 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) NO - Donte Stallworth 16 yard pass from Aaron Brooks ( John Carney kick ) Week 3 : at Seattle Seahawks . At " Qwest Field , Seattle , Washington " Sunday , September 26 , 2004 The 49ers suffered a 34 – 0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in week 3 . It was the first shutout of a 49ers team since the Atlanta Falcons handed them a 7 – 0 loss in week 4 of the 1977 NFL Season ( they were also shut out in week 1 that season by the Pittsburgh Steelers ) . This remains the longest such streak in the NFL . . While the Seahawks scored several field goals and touchdowns , the 49ers could only manage nine first downs and turned the ball over four times ( two interceptions and two lost fumbles ) . With the loss , the 49ers fell to 0 - 3 . Scoring summary 1st Quarter SEA - Josh Brown 35 - yard field goal SEA - Shaun Alexander 1 - yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Shaun Alexander 3 - yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) 2nd Quarter SEA - Shaun Alexander 1 - yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) 3rd Quarter SEA - Itula Mili 1 - yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Josh Brown 28 - yard field goal Week 4 : vs . St . Louis Rams . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , October 3 , 2004 Again the 49ers struggled , not putting any points on the board until the fourth quarter . Despite Tim Rattay throwing for 299 yards and the team gaining more first downs than the Rams , St . Louis ' defense held fast , preventing the 49ers from scoring until the fourth quarter . The loss meant the 49ers started the season at 0 - 4 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter STL - Joey Goodspeed 2 yard rush ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) STL - Shaun McDonald 6 yard pass from Marc Bulger ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) 2nd Quarter STL - Jeff Wilkins 20 yard field goal STL - Steven Jackson 2 yard rush ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) 4th Quarter SF - Curtis Conway 9 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( pass failed ) SF - Rashaun Woods 18 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Curtis Conway pass from Tim Rattay ) Week 5 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , October 10 , 2004 The 49ers finally won their first game of the season in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals . After a scoreless first quarter , the Cardinals took a 16 point lead 28 - 12 . In the fourth quarter , the 49ers scored 16 unanswered points ( two touchdowns with two accompanying two - point conversions ) to tie the game as regulation ended . In the overtime period , the 49ers ' kicker Todd Peterson sent a 32 - yard kick through the uprights , giving the 49ers their first victory of the season . Now in the win column , the 49ers were 1 - 4 . Scoring Summary 2nd Quarter AZ - Freddie Jones 16 yard pass from Josh McCown ( Neil Rackers kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 37 yard field goal AZ - Troy Hambrick 2 yard pass from Josh McCown ( Neil Rackers kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 42 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Arnaz Battle 71 yard punt return ( pass failed ) 4th Quarter AZ - Emmitt Smith 10 yard rush ( Neil Rackers kick ) AZ - Larry Fitzgerald 24 yard pass from Josh McCown ( Neil Rackers kick ) SF - Eric Johnson 6 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Tim Rattay run ) SF - Brandon Lloyd 23 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Brandon Lloyd pass from Tim Rattay ) Overtime SF - Todd Peterson 32 yard field goal Week 6 : at New York Jets . At " Giants Stadium , East Rutherford , New Jersey " Sunday , October 17 , 2004 It seemed the 49ers would have their second straight victory when they secured a 14 point lead before halftime . However , the 49ers ' defense fell apart after the half and the Jets scored 22 unanswered points and forced two turnovers to secure the win . With the 49ers ' loss , they fell to 1 - 5 heading into their bye week . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Brandon Lloyd 33 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 2 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) NYJ - Doug Brien 43 yard field goal 3rd Quarter NYJ - LaMont Jordan 17 yard rush 4th Quarter NYJ - Curtis Martin 1 yard rush ( pass failed ) NYJ - Curtis Martin 9 yard rush ( Doug Brien kick ) Week 8 : at Chicago Bears . At " Soldier Field , Chicago , Illinois " Sunday , October 31 , 2004 Coming out of their bye , the 49ers took an early lead , this time 10 – 7 , however , they were shut out in the second half . Despite three turnovers , the Bears came away with the victory . Between the two teams , five field goals were scored , including two from longer than 50 yards . The loss dropped the 49ers to 1 – 6 on the season . Scoring summary 1st Quarter CHI - Bernard Berrian 49 yard pass from Craig Krenzel ( Paul Edinger kick ) SF - Dwaine Carpenter 80 yard fumble return ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 48 yard field goal 2nd Quarter CHI - Paul Edinger 52 yard field goal SF - Todd Peterson 51 yard field goal CHI - Paul Edinger 45 yard field goal 4th Quarter CHI - Paul Edinger 27 yard field goal CHI - Nathan Vasher 71 yard interception return ( Paul Edinger kick ) Week 9 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , November 7 , 2004 In another high - score affair , the Seahawks clinched a season sweep over the 49ers using their high - powered offense . The game was back - and - forth until the Seahawks a lead at 28 - 24 that they would not relinquish , beating the 49ers in nearly every statistically category . Their third straight loss dropped the 49ers to 1 - 7 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 3 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) SEA - Darrell Jackson 33 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) SF - Curtis Conway 28 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SEA - Shaun Alexander 1 yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Shaun Alexander 4 yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 27 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Brandon Lloyd 39 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) SEA - Koren Robinson 25 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Darrell Jackson 39 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) 4th Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 30 yard field goal SEA - Anthony Simmons 23 yard interception return ( Josh Brown kick ) Week 10 : vs . Carolina Panthers . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , November 14 , 2004 It appeared the 49ers would snap their three - game losing streak when they took at 17 - 0 lead , however , the Panthers were able to slowly creep back into the game . Several field goals and touchdowns later , the game was tied at 27 and the Panthers scored a final field goal to come away with the win , 30 - 27 . The loss dropped the 49ers to 1 - 8 and completed their second four - game losing streak of the season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 28 yard field goal 2nd Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 3 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) CAR - John Kasay 37 yard field goal 3rd Quarter CAR - John Kasay 25 yard field goal CAR - Brandon Bennett 1 yard rush ( Todd Sauerbrun kick ) CAR - Muhsin Muhammad 40 yard pass from Jake Delhomme ( Todd Sauerbrun kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 46 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Brandon Lloyd 30 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) CAR - Muhsin Muhammad 4 yard pass from Jake Delhomme ( Todd Sauerbrun kick ) CAR - Todd Sauerbrun 34 yard field goal CAR - Muhsin Muhammad 26 yard pass from Jake Delhomme ( Todd Sauerbrun kick ) Week 11 : at Tampa Bay Buccaneers . At " Raymond James Stadium , Tampa , Florida " Sunday , November 21 , 2004 The 49ers didn ' t have a chance in this lopsided game , falling to the Buccaneers 35 - 3 . With an output of only 197 total yards , the 49ers ' lone field goal came off the foot of kicker Todd Peterson from 47 yards out . Their fifth consecutive loss brought the 49ers down to 1 - 9 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter TB - Michael Pittman 14 yard rush ( Martin Gramatica kick ) 2nd Quarter TB - Joe Jurevicius 9 yard pass from Brian Griese ( Martin Gramatica kick ) TB - Joe Jurevicius 42 yard pass from Brian Griese ( Martin Gramatica kick ) 3rd Quarter TB - Michael Pittman 6 yard rush ( Martin Gramatica kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 47 yard field goal 4th Quarter TB - Torrie Cox 55 yard interception return ( Martin Gramatica kick ) Week 12 : vs . Miami Dolphins . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , November 28 , 2004 Looking to snap their five game losing streak , the 49ers were , statistically , the better team , but three turnovers doomed their chances . The 49ers led at one point , 10 - 7 , but the Dolphins regained the lead in the fourth quarter and the 49ers came away with another loss , 24 - 17 . This loss was their six straight and tenth of the season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter MIA - Chris Chambers 25 yard pass from A . J . Feeley ( Olindo Mare kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 19 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Derek Smith 46 yard fumble return ( Todd Peterson kick ) MIA - Randy McMichael 15 yard pass from A . J . Feeley ( Olindo Mare kick ) MIA - Olindo Mare 50 yard field goal MIA - Derrick Pope 1 yard fumble return ( Olindo Mare kick ) SF - Maurice Hicks 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) Week 13 : at St . Louis Rams . At Edward Jones Dome , St . Louis , Missouri Sunday , December 5 , 2004 In a low - scoring contest , the 49ers lost to the division rival Rams by a score of 16 - 6 . The 49ers were limited to only nine first downs in the game and could only manage two field goals , one of which was from 51 yards . This game marked the 49ers ' seventh consecutive loss as they fell to 1 - 11 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter STL - Jeff Wilkins 29 yard field goal SF - Todd Peterson 51 yard field goal 2nd Quarter STL - Torry Holt 22 yard pass from Chris Chandler ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) STL - Jeff Wilkins 52 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 40 yard field goal 4th Quarter STL - Jeff Wilkins 52 yard field goal Week 14 : at Arizona Cardinals . At " Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe , Arizona " Sunday , December 12 , 2004 In an overtime game , the 49ers managed to snap their seven - game losing streak by outdueling the Arizona Cardinals , 31 - 28 . The 49ers seemingly had this game already wrapped up when they took a twenty - one point lead , but the Cardinals fought back and scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime . A 31 - yard field goal by Todd Peterson sealed the victory for the 49ers . Breaking their seven - game streak , the 49ers improved to 2 - 11 . Interestingly , the 49ers were now 2 - 0 against the Cardinals and 0 - 11 against the rest of the league . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Brandon Lloyd 5 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Cedrick Wilson 19 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Maurice Hicks 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) AZ - Neil Rackers 44 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Cedrick Wilson 27 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) AZ - Obafemi Ayanbadejo 4 yard rush ( Neil Rackers kick ) AZ - Obafemi Ayanbadejo 1 yard rush ( Neil Rackers kick ) AZ - Emmitt Smith 8 yard rush ( Josh McCown run ) AZ - Neil Rackers 22 yard field goal Overtime SF - Todd Peterson 31 yard field goal Week 15 : vs . Washington Redskins . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Saturday , December 18 , 2004 The 49ers failed in their attempt to string together two victories , losing this contest 26 - 16 to the Redskins . The 49ers never led , but they did score a rare safety in the second quarter . Statistically , it was a close game , both teams posting similar yardage and first downs , however , four interceptions by 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey sealed the loss and dropped the team to 2 - 12 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter WAS - Robert Royal 12 yard pass from Patrick Ramsey ( Jeff Chandler kick ) SF - Brandon Lloyd 17 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter WAS - Jeff Chandler 49 yard field goal WAS - Jeff Chandler 25 yard field goal WAS - Jeff Chandler 20 yard field goal SF - Safety WAS - Antonio Pierce 78 yard interception return ( Jeff Chandler kick ) 3rd Quarter WAS - Jeff Chandler 26 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Curtis Conway 11 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) Week 16 : vs . Buffalo Bills . At " Monster Park , San Francisco , California " Sunday , December 26 , 2004 In a blowout , the Bills dominated the 49ers 41 - 7 . While the Bills managed to score in the double - digits in three of the four quarters , the 49ers only managed a single touchdown in the final minutes of the game . This was the second consecutive game in which the 49ers had four turnovers ( this time three interceptions and one fumble ) and the Bills were able to roll up over twice as many total yards as the 49ers . With the loss , the 49ers fell to 2 - 13 going into the final game of the season . Scoring Summary 2nd Quarter BUF - Willis McGahee 3 yard rush ( Rian Lindell kick ) BUF - Rian Lindell 23 yard field goal BUF - Lee Evans 8 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe ( Rian Lindell kick ) 3rd Quarter BUF - Rian Lindell 31 yard field goal BUF - Willis McGahee 1 yard rush ( Rian Lindell kick ) 4th Quarter BUF - Lee Evans 33 yard pass from Shane Matthews ( Rian Lindell kick ) BUF - Shaud Williams 27 yard rush ( Rian Lindell kick ) SF - Kevan Barlow 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) Week 17 : at New England Patriots . At " Gillette Stadium , Foxborough , Massachusetts " Sunday , January 2 , 2005 Hoping to end their miserable season with a win , the 49ers flew to Gillette Stadium to play the Patriots , a team that was looking for a second seed in the AFC playoffs . In a game in which one touchdown was scored each quarter , the 49ers lost to the New England Patriots 21 - 7 . The 49ers struck first , but the Patriots defense held them to that single touchdown . Both teams were riddled with mistakes , both turnovers and penalties ; however , the Patriots were able to capitalize on the 49ers ' errors . The 49ers closed their season at 2 - 14 on a three - game losing streak , giving the team the first overall pick in the draft . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Steve Bush 4 yard pass from Ken Dorsey ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter NE - Mike Vrabel 1 yard pass from Tom Brady ( Adam Vinatieri kick ) 3rd Quarter NE - Deion Branch 8 yard pass from Tom Brady ( Adam Vinatieri kick ) 4th Quarter NE - Corey Dillon 6 yard rush ( Adam Vinatieri kick )