The Minnesota Vikings defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 22-17 in a thrilling game on Monday night. The Vikings improved their record to 3-4, while the 49ers fell to 5-2.
Key Players
- Kirk Cousins: The Vikings quarterback had a standout performance, throwing for 378 yards and two touchdowns. He also avoided being sacked by the 49ers’ defense, thanks to his offensive line. He connected with rookie receiver Jordan Addison for both of his scores, including a 60-yard bomb just before halftime.
- Jordan Addison: The rookie wideout had a career game, catching seven passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He showed his speed and route-running skills, beating the 49ers’ secondary on several occasions. He also made a spectacular catch in the first quarter, ripping the ball away from Charvarius Ward after Ward had intercepted Cousins.
- Cam Bynum: The Vikings safety was the hero of the game, making two interceptions in the fourth quarter to seal the win for Minnesota. He picked off Brock Purdy on the 49ers’ final drive, with 25 seconds left on the clock. He also intercepted Purdy earlier in the quarter, setting up a field goal for the Vikings.
Key Moments
- First Quarter: The game started with a turnover on each side, as Ward intercepted Cousins on the third play of the game, but Christian McCaffrey fumbled on the next play, giving the ball back to the Vikings. The Vikings then drove 89 yards and scored on a 20-yard pass from Cousins to Addison. The 49ers missed a field goal on their next possession, and the Vikings led 7-0 at the end of the quarter.
- Second Quarter: The 49ers responded with a long drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by McCaffrey, who set an NFL record with a touchdown in his 16th consecutive game. The Vikings then went on another long drive that ate up more than seven minutes of the clock but settled for a field goal after failing to score from the 2-yard line. The Vikings extended their lead to 10 points with seven seconds left in the half, when Cousins hit Addison for a 60-yard touchdown. The score was 17-7 at halftime.
- Third Quarter: The 49ers came out strong in the second half, scoring on their first two drives. Purdy threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel, and Moody made a 43-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17. The Vikings went three-and-out on their next two possessions, and the quarter ended with no change in the score.
- Fourth Quarter: The Vikings regained the lead with a 37-yard field goal by Joseph after Bynum intercepted Purdy near midfield. The 49ers had a chance to take the lead or tie the game on their next drive, but they turned the ball over on downs at the Vikings’ 40-yard line. The Vikings then ran down the clock and attempted a 50-yard field goal to make it an eight-point game, but Joseph missed it wide left. That gave the 49ers one last opportunity to score and force overtime, but Bynum picked off Purdy again to end the game.
Final Thoughts
The Vikings pulled off an impressive upset over the 49ers, who were favored by seven points before the game. The Vikings showed their resilience and toughness, overcoming an early turnover and holding off a late comeback by the 49ers. The Vikings also proved that they can win in primetime games, as Cousins improved his record on Monday Night Football to 3-10 lifetime. The Vikings are now back in contention for a playoff spot in the NFC North.
The 49ers suffered their second straight loss, after starting the season with five wins in a row. The 49ers were hampered by injuries and mistakes, as they lost several key players during the game and committed three turnovers. The 49ers also struggled to contain Cousins and Addison, who exposed their weaknesses in pass defense. The 49ers are still in first place in the NFC West, but they will need to bounce back quickly to avoid losing ground in the competitive division.