"Before the 49ers' divisional-playoff game against the Saints, Jim Harbaugh told his team about walking off the field at Three Rivers Stadium after the Colts lost in the 1996 AFC Championship Game.

We'll be back, Harbaugh thought. As it turned out, it was as close as Harbaugh ever came to reaching the Super Bowl as a player.

Sixteen years later, Harbaugh's message to the Niners was clear: Don't assume you'll have other chances after this season."