In 2004, the winless 49ers trailed the Cardinals by 16 with under five minutes in 4th quarter and seemed headed toward their fifth straight loss before finding the end zone twice and converting both two point attempts to force overtime and eventually win 31-28.
Eric Johnson caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a score, while Tim Rattay eclipsed 400 yards and completed a pair of touchdown passes along with both late two point attempts.
Johnson, a 7th round pick from Yale, nearly went undrafted but Bill Walsh, who served as a front office advisor, advocated for him so loudly that Johnson earned the nickname “Bill’s son” in the 49er predraft war room. He would be the top offensive weapon for the 49ers that year, leading the team in receptions with 82.
The 2004 49ers were a shadow of the playoff contenders from two years prior, losing their starters at every offensive skill position from those teams. They would go 2-14 with both victories coming in OT over Arizona. It was Dennis Erickson’s final year as head coach.
