San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis has claimed that his side must win the Super Bowl in the upcoming campaign.

Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have won more Super Bowl championships in the history of the NFL than the 49ers, but they haven't tasted success since 1994 despite numerous close calls.

They have reached the NFC championship game in each of the last three years, losing twice and going on to be beaten by the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl in 2012, and Davis urged his side to go one step further next season.

"We must win a Super Bowl title. You play this game, that's what you play this game for. You play the game to go to the Super Bowl and that's the only reason why we play to win and make it to the Super Bowl. So anything short of that would not be acceptable and I think my teammates know that as well," Davis told Pro Football Talk.

"I mean, we've had multiple opportunities to make it and to win it. When we were playing back in New Orleans we played the Ravens we had a great opportunity in front of us but we just didn't seize the moment but you know what the unique thing about it is we get another chance.

"We still have the same chemistry, the same guys that are back in the locker room but we have another chance to do it again."

The 49ers lost to eventual Super Bowl winners the Seattle Seahawks in last year's NFC championship game.