The 49ers attempted to improve on their 6-8 record from the previous season and make it to the playoffs for the first time in 5 seasons. However, the team lost all of their preseason games, and lost their first 3 games of the season under incumbent coach Red Hickey, who resigned after the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. Under interim (and later incumbent) head coach Jack Christiansen, the team won only 2 of their last 10 games, and finished with a 2-12 record, missing the playoffs for the 6th straight year.
On October 20 against Chicago, Lamar McHan took over as starting quarterback for the Niners, and led them to their first victory since December 2, 1962.