The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI. This Super Bowl was the first one played in a traditionally "cold weather in winter" city, in a suburb of Detroit. The game was played in an indoor facility, but icy roads and wind chill that was below zero made getting to the stadium a daunting task. Joe Montana was named the game's MVP as he threw one touchdown pass and ran for another, helping the 49ers secure what was then the largest halftime lead in Super Bowl history, 20-0. The Bengals attempted to make a second half comeback, but the with Cincinnati possessing the ball late in 3rd quarter on 1st-and-goal at the 3-yard line, the Niners posted the greatest goal line stand in Super Bowl annals, preventing the Bengals from scoring on four straight plays. The championship was the first for the 49ers in their 35-year franchise history. Based on percentage of households, this is the most watched Super Bowl ever, and 4th rated program of all-time.

The Bengals won the AFC Central with a 12-4 record, and after defeating Buffalo in the division round of the playoffs, they easily dispatched the San Diego Chargers in an AFC Championship Game that was the coldest wind chill (-35°) for a game in NFL history. The Chargers had to contend with weather that hurt their "Air Coryell" passing attack, but also because they may not have had anything left after a division round win over Miami in double overtime in a game simply known as The Epic in Miami. Facing oppressive heat conditions, Kellen Winslow's 13 receptions for 166 yards and blocked field goal led the Chargers to victory.

The 49ers finished a league best 13-3 and easily won the NFC West, then whipped the New York Giants in the division round of the playoffs. But the greatest challenge for the upstart Niners was in the NFC Title tilt with the veteran Dallas Cowboys. Trailing 27-21 with 58 seconds left, Montana hit Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone for the winning touchdown. The grab by Clark, in which leaped high into the air over Dallas defender Everson Walls, has become known simply as "The Catch".