The 1948 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's third season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The 49ers, hoped to improve upon their 8–4–2 output from the previous season. They began the season 10–0, and finished 12–2,1948 San Francisco 49ers both losses coming to eventual season champions, the Cleveland Browns.

The 49ers' offense was historically prolific: they scored 495 points1948 AAFC Standings in 1948 (averaging over 35 points per game), which was more than 100 points more than the next best output (389 points by the Browns). Despite their 12–2 record, the 49ers did not qualify for the playoffs, due to the Browns 14–0 record.

The 1948 49ers had a record-setting rushing attack: the team rushed for a staggering 3,663 yards in only fourteen games, a professional football record that still stands.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending Rushing Yds as of 2011 season The next-highest total, set in a 16-game schedule by the 1978 Patriots, is 488 yards short of the record. The next-highest total in a 14-game schedule, set by the 1973 Bills, is 565 yards shy.

The team's statistical leaders included Frankie Albert with 1,990 passing yards, Johnny Strzykalski with 915 rushing yards, and Alyn Beals with 591 receiving yards and 84 points scored.

As of 2025, the 49ers +247 point differential remains the most by any team missing the playoffs

Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 at Los Angeles Dons W 42–24 1–0 Rose Bowl 58,207 2 August 22 Baltimore Colts W 42–14 2–0 Kezar Stadium 35,139

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Source 1 August 29 Buffalo Bills W 35–14 1–0 Kezar Stadium 33,946 Kenneth R. Crippen and Matt Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference: Players, Coaches, Records, Games, and Awards, 1946–1949. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2018; pp. 119–120. 2 September 5 Brooklyn Dodgers W 36–20 2–0 Kezar Stadium 32,606 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 120. 3 September 12 New York Yankees W 41–0 3–0 Kezar Stadium 60,927 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 121–122. 4 September 19 Los Angeles Dons W 36–14 4–0 Kezar Stadium 45,420 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 122. 5 September 26 at Buffalo Bills W 38–28 5–0 Civic Stadium 31,103 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 123. 6 at Chicago Rockets W 31–14 6–0 Soldier Field 14,553 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, pp. 123–124. 7 October 10 at Baltimore Colts W 56–14 7–0 Memorial Stadium 22,359 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 124. 8 October 17 at New York Yankees W 21–7 8–0 Yankee Stadium 29,743 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 126. 9 October 24 Baltimore Colts W 21–10 9–0 Kezar Stadium 27,978 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 126. 10 Bye 11 November 7 Chicago Rockets W 44–21 10–0 Kezar Stadium 25,308 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 128. 12 November 14 at Cleveland Browns L 7–14 10–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 82,769 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 129–130. 13 November 21 at Brooklyn Dodgers W 63–40 11–1 Ebbets Field 9,336 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 130. 14 November 28 Cleveland Browns L 28–31 11–2 Kezar Stadium 59,785 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 132. 15 December 5 at Los Angeles Dons W 38–21 12–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 51,460 Crippen and Reaser (eds.), The All-America Football Conference, p. 133. Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Roster 1948 San Francisco 49ers final roster Quarterbacks P/S

Receivers

Linemen/Linebackers G/MG T/DT G/MG T/DT G/MG C/LB G/MG C/LB MLB G/MG T/DT T/DT C/LB T/DTBacks CB/RB S/RB CB/RB CB/RB RB FB/LB FB/LB FB/LB RB/CB RB/CB RB/CB/K

rookies in italics

References