2003 San Francisco 49ers season The 49ers entered their 2003 season attempting to improve upon their 10 - 6 output from the previous year . Regular season . Week 1 : vs . Chicago Bears . Sunday , September 7 , 2003 at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " The 49ers started the season off strongly , defeating the Bears 49 - 7 . The game was close in the second quarter , with the 49ers leading 10 - 7 , however , the Bears ' defense gave way to the 49ers ' offense who scored 39 unanswered points . The Bears were also plagued with turnovers ; the team lost two fumbles and quarterback Kordell Stewart tossed three interceptions . The 49ers ' offensive line performed exceptionally well , as quarterback Jeff Garcia of the 49ers was not sacked during the course of the game . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Jeff Chandler 22 yard field goal SF - Garrison Hearst 12 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Jeff Chandler kick ) 2nd Quarter CHI - Desmond Clark 3 yard pass from Kordell Stewart ( Paul Edinger kick ) SF - Jeff Garcia 3 yard rush ( Jeff Chandler kick ) SF - Tai Streets 16 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( kick failed ) SF - Ahmed Plummer 68 yard interception return ( Jeff Chandler kick ) SF - Jeff Chandler 29 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Jeff Chandler 28 yard field goal SF - Jeff Chandler 24 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Jeff Chandler 26 yard field goal SF - Garrison Hearst 1 yard rush ( Jeff Chandler kick ) Week 2 : at St . Louis Rams . Sunday , September 14 , 2003 at " Edward Jones Dome " , St . Louis , Missouri Coming off of a blowout , the 49ers played a tight match against the division rivals St . Louis Rams . It was a back - and - forth game , with the lead changing hands four times . The 49ers scored a game - tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter with a pass to Terrell Owens . In overtime , the Rams ' Jeff Wilkins kicked a field goal to win the game , the team overcoming their four turnovers . The loss meant the 49ers started the season 1 - 1 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Tai Streets 16 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Jeff Chandler kick ) STL - Torry Holt 11 yard pass from Marc Bulger ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Jeff Chandler 35 yard field goal 3rd Quarter STL - Marshall Faulk 2 yard rush ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) SF - Kevan Barlow 19 yard rush ( Jeff Chandler kick ) STL - Dane Looker 19 yard pass from Marc Bulger ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) STL - Jeff Wilkins 29 yard field goal SF - Terrell Owens 13 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Jeff Chandler kick ) Overtime STL - Jeff Wilkins 28 yard field goal Week 3 : vs . Cleveland Browns . Sunday , September 21 , 2003 at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " In a low - scoring contest , the 49ers lost in a squeaker . After a scoreless first quarter , the 49ers struck first , however , they could not get into the endzone , scoring only four field goals . However , it appeared it would be sufficient ; the 49ers led 12 - 0 in the final quarter . This would not be the case , though , as Browns ' quarterback Kelly Holcomb went on to throw two touchdown passes . Losing dropped the 49ers to 1 - 2 . Scoring Summary 2nd Quarter SF - Owen Pochman 38 yard field goal SF - Owen Pochman 44 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Owen Pochman 46 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Owen Pochman 36 yard field goal CLE - Andre Davis 2 yard pass from Kelly Holcomb ( Phil Dawson kick ) CLE - Andre Davis 11 yard pass from Kelly Holcomb ( pass failed ) Week 4 : at Minnesota Vikings . Sunday , September 28 , 2003 at " Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome , Minneapolis , Minnesota " Playing against the undefeated Vikings , the 49ers were unable to keep pace with their opponent . Scoring only in the final minutes of the fourth quarter , the 49ers were , at one point , behind 35 - 0 . Several times the 49ers came within striking distance , however , three interceptions sealed their fate . The 49ers lost their third consecutive game and fell to 1 - 3 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter MIN - Randy Moss 15 yard pass from Gus Frerotte ( Aaron Elling kick ) MIN - Onterrio Smith 5 yard rush ( Aaron Elling kick ) 2nd Quarter MIN - Randy Moss 35 yard pass from Gus Frerotte ( Aaron Elling kick ) MIN - Nate Burleson 22 yard pass from Gus Frerotte ( Aaron Elling kick ) 4th Quarter MIN - Randy Moss 59 yard pass from Gus Frerotte ( Aaron Elling kick ) SF - Tai Streets 37 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Owen Pochman kick ) Week 5 : vs . Detroit Lions . Sunday , October 5 , 2003 at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Attempting to snap a three - game losing streak , the 49ers hosted the Detroit Lions , who were led by former head coach Steve Mariucci . A game riddled with errors , the 49ers fumbled three times ( recovery each time ) , Jeff Garcia threw an interception , and Joey Harrington tossed two . The Lions never led , with the 49ers opening up a 17 - 0 lead in the second quarter . With their first win since the season opener , the 49ers moved up to 2 - 3 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Terrell Owens 6 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Owen Pochman kick ) SF - Owen Pochman 48 yard field goal 2nd Quarter SF - Aaron Walker 14 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Owen Pochman kick ) DET - Jason Hanson 28 yard field goal DET - Mikhael Ricks 6 yard pass from Joey Harrington ( Jason Hanson kick ) 3rd Quarter SF - Jeff Garcia 1 yard rush ( Owen Pochman kick ) 4th Quarter DET - Olandis Gary 2 yard rush ( Jason Hanson kick ) Week 6 : at Seattle Seahawks . Sunday , October 12 , 2003 at " Qwest Field , Seattle , Washington " For the second time in four games , the 49ers lost by a one - point differential . Playing against division rival Seahawks , the 49ers fell behind 17 - 0 before halftime and had to play catch up in the second half . Slowly closing the gap , the 49ers scored 19 straight points to take the lead 19 - 17 . However , the defense was able to stop the Seahawks ' 2 - minute drill as Seattle ' s team drove into field goal range and scored the game - winning field goal off the foot of kicker Josh Brown . With the loss , the 49ers fell to 2 - 4 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SEA - Itula Mili 15 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) 2nd Quarter SEA - Josh Brown 27 yard field goal SEA - Mack Strong 21 yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) SF - Owen Pochman 42 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Garrison Hearst 6 yard rush ( Owen Pochman kick ) SF - Jeff Garcia 2 yard rush ( kick failed ) 4th Quarter SF - Owen Pochman 33 yard field goal SEA - Josh Brown 37 yard field goal Week 7 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Sunday , October 19 , 2003 at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Hosting the defending Super Bowl champions , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the 49ers got their third win of the season , knocking off the Buccaneers 24 - 7 . The 49ers led the entire game and statistically dominated on both sides of the ball , both scoring often and forcing turnovers . Both teams were able to score touchdowns on passes of . With the victory , the 49ers moved to 3 - 4 on the season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Garrison Hearst 7 yard rush ( Owen Pochman kick ) TB - Keenan McCardell 75 yard pass from Brad Johnson ( Martin Gramatica kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Tai Streets 14 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Owen Pochman kick ) SF - Terrell Owens 75 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Owen Pochman kick ) 4th Quarter SF - Owen Pochman 27 yard field goal Week 8 : at Arizona Cardinals . at " Sun Devil Stadium , Tempe , Arizona " Sunday , October 26 , 2003 In an attempt to win their second - straight game for the first time this season , the 49ers travelled to Arizona to play against their division rival , the Cardinals . The game was close throughout , being tied up in the fourth quarter off a one - yard fumble return for a touchdown . However , it was decided in Arizona ' s favor in overtime with a field goal . With the loss , the 49ers were able to improve to . 500 and instead dropped to 3 - 5 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Jeff Garcia 21 yard rush ( pass failed ) AZ - Jeff Blake 1 yard rush ( Tim Duncan kick ) 2nd Quarter AZ - Tim Duncan 53 yard field goal 3rd Quarter AZ - Tim Duncan 20 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Kwame Harris 1 yard fumble return ( Owen Pochman kick ) Overtime AZ - Tim Duncan 39 yard field goal Week 9 : vs . St . Louis Rams . At " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Sunday , November 2 , 2003 Playing their second straight game against a division rival , the 49ers hosted the St . Louis Rams . The 49ers kick returner Cedrick Wilson returned the opening kick for a touchdown and the 49ers would not relinquish their lead . The 49ers offense became potent , opening up a 30 - 3 lead in the third quarter . The win brought the 49ers up to 4 - 5 heading into their bye week . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Cedrick Wilson 95 yard kickoff return ( Todd Peterson kick ) STL - Jeff Wilkins 39 yard field goal SF - Terrell Owens 5 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 44 yard field goal SF - Brandon Lloyd 27 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 3rd Quarter SF - Tai Streets 5 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( kick failed ) 4th Quarter STL - Torry Holt 41 yard pass from Marc Bulger ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) Week 11 : vs . Pittsburgh Steelers . At " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Monday , November 17 , 2003 Coming off their bye , the 49ers strung together their second straight victory , this time over the Pittsburgh Steelers . The 49ers shut out the Steelers in the first half , leading 10 - 0 at halftime . The Steelers offense came together in the second half to put some points on the board , statistically leading the 49ers , however it wasn ' t enough to close the gap . The 49ers ' victory brought them to 5 - 5 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Terrell Owens 61 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 32 yard field goal 3rd Quarter PIT - Jerome Bettis 1 yard rush ( Jeff Reed kick ) SF - Kevan Barlow 78 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Fred Beasley 28 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 4th Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 22 yard field goal SF - Todd Peterson 44 yard field goal PIT - Antwaan Randle El 32 yard pass from Tommy Maddox ( Jeff Reed kick ) Week 12 : at Green Bay Packers . At " Lambeau Field , Green Bay , Wisconsin " Sunday , November 23 , 2003 After completing their first two - game win streak of the season , the 49ers travelled to their conference rival , the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 . The Packers dominated on both sides of the ball , leading 17 - 3 at the half . Despite forcing Brett Favre into throwing three interceptions , the 49ers offense could only manage 192 total yards , a majority coming off the performance of their two star players , Garrison Hearst and Terrell Owens . Losing dropped the 49ers back under . 500 , at 5 - 6 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter GB - Javon Walker 66 yard pass from Brett Favre ( Ryan Longwell kick ) 2nd Quarter GB - Robert Ferguson 16 yard pass from Brett Favre ( Ryan Longwell kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 24 yard field goal GB - Ryan Longwell 38 yard field goal 3rd Quarter SF - Terrell Owens 24 yard pass from Tim Rattay ( Todd Peterson kick ) 4th Quarter GB - Ryan Longwell 37 yard field goal Week 13 : at Baltimore Ravens . at " M & T Bank Stadium , Baltimore , Maryland " Sunday , November 30 , 2003 The 49ers were dismantled by the Ravens easily , 44 - 6 , with the 49ers limited to only two field goals . The 49ers were plagued with turnovers , quarterback Jeff Garcia throwing four interceptions , one of which was returned for a touchdown by Ray Lewis . With the loss , the 49ers fell to 5 - 7 , including six losses on the road . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter BAL - Jamal Lewis 6 yard rush ( Matt Stover kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 48 yard field goal 2nd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 40 yard field goal BAL - Matt Stover 28 yard field goal BAL - Marcus Robinson 38 yard pass from Anthony Wright ( Matt Stover kick ) BAL - Ray Lewis 29 yard interception return ( Matt Stover kick ) 4th Quarter BAL - Matt Stover 47 yard field goal BAL - Terry Jones 6 yard pass from Anthony Wright ( Matt Stover kick ) BAL - Matt Stover 41 yard field goal BAL - Musa Smith 2 yard rush ( Matt Stover kick ) Week 14 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Sunday , December 7 , 2003 After an embarrassing loss , the 49ers regrouped to beat division rival , the Arizona Cardinals 50 - 14 . The 49ers ' offense dominated throughout the game , at one point leading 36 - 0 and rolling up nearly of total offense . A rare safety was also scored , just after halftime . The defense also performed well , forcing two fumbles . With the win , the 49ers climbed to 6 - 7 on the season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Jeff Garcia 3 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Terrell Owens 1 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter SF - Tai Streets 18 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Cedrick Wilson 27 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( kick failed ) SF - Terrell Owens 2 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) 3rd Quarter SF - Safety AZ - James Hodgins 3 yard pass from Josh McCown ( Neil Rackers kick ) SF - Jeff Garcia 4 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) 4th Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 46 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) AZ - Anquan Boldin 16 yard pass from Josh McCown ( Neil Rackers kick ) Week 15 : at Cincinnati Bengals . at " Paul Brown Stadium , Cincinnati , Ohio " Sunday , December 14 , 2003 A high - scoring shootout , the 49ers were slightly outscored by the Bengals , 41 - 38 . The 49ers topped of total offense , but surprisingly never led in this close game . This can be partially attributed to their four fumbles , three of which were lost to the Bengals . One fumble was returned for a touchdown by Bengals ' Kevin Hardy . The loss meant the 49ers fell to 6 - 8 . Of the 49ers ' season , this was the 13th time in 14 games in which the home team won ( including the last 11 games ) , the home team outscoring the visitor 422 - 199 so far this season . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter CIN - Chad Johnson 10 yard pass from Jon Kitna ( Shayne Graham kick ) 2nd Quarter CIN - Kevin Hardy 10 yard fumble return ( Shayne Graham kick ) SF - Terrell Owens 58 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Tai Streets 41 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) CIN - Peter Warrick 31 yard pass from Jon Kitna ( Shayne Graham kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 23 yard field goal 3rd Quarter CIN - Rudi Johnson 49 yard rush ( Shayne Graham kick ) CIN - Shayne Graham 34 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Jeff Garcia 6 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) CIN - Shayne Graham 30 yard field goal SF - Kevan Barlow 1 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) CIN - Rudi Johnson 3 yard rush ( Shayne Graham kick ) SF - Kevan Barlow 3 yard rush ( Todd Peterson kick ) Week 16 : at Philadelphia Eagles . at " Lincoln Financial Field , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania " Sunday , December 21 , 2003 Another squeaker , this game marked the sixth time this season the 49ers played a game that was decided three points or less , and the only one of those six in which the 49ers walked away with a victory . The win came off the foot of kicker Todd Peterson from out during overtime . With the victory , the 49ers moved up to 7 - 8 . Scoring Summary 1st Quarter SF - Kevan Barlow 15 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) 2nd Quarter PHI - Duce Staley 7 yard rush ( David Akers kick ) PHI - Duce Staley 1 yard rush ( David Akers kick ) SF - Brandon Lloyd 33 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) 3rd Quarter PHI - Brian Westbrook 81 yard punt return ( David Akers kick ) SF - Todd Peterson 33 yard field goal 4th Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 25 yard field goal SF - Kevan Barlow 1 yard rush ( Brandon Lloyd pass from Jeff Garcia ) PHI - Todd Pinkston 19 yard pass from Donovan McNabb ( David Akers kick ) Overtime SF - Todd Peterson 22 yard field goal Week 17 : vs . Seattle Seahawks . at " San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point , San Francisco , California " Saturday , December 27 , 2003 The last game of the season , the 49ers hosted division rival Seattle Seahawks . The game was tied at the end of the first quarter and again at halftime , but the 49ers were unable to keep in during the second half , losing 24 - 17 . With the loss , the 49ers clinched a losing season , at 7 - 9 , after winning the division the previous year . Scoring Summary 2nd Quarter SF - Jed Weaver 18 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) SF - Cedrick Wilson 14 yard pass from Jeff Garcia ( Todd Peterson kick ) SEA - Alex Bannister 31 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Shaun Alexander 3 yard rush ( Josh Brown kick ) 3rd Quarter SF - Todd Peterson 38 yard field goal SEA - Koren Robinson 30 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck ( Josh Brown kick ) SEA - Josh Brown 33 yard field goal