2024-09-16 01:10:03
It’s time to find out just how legitimate the 2024 Minnesota Vikings are.
A season-opening blowout over the Giants was impressive, but the level of difficulty skyrockets today in the home opener against the 49ers. San Francisco has been to four of the last five NFC title games, nearly won the Super Bowl this February, and opened up its season with a convincing win over a good Jets team.
If the Vikings can pull off the upset over the 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium for a second consecutive year, their season would suddenly be extremely interesting. It would be a statement victory for a team that came into this season with very low external expectations. All along, the Vikings have believed that they have a special group on their hands. Today, they get a chance to show that.
If the Vikings can’t win, they’ll still have a chance to bounce back next week against the Texans and get off to a strong start to their season. But they’re not thinking that way. They want to put this one in the win column today.
The 49ers haven’t won in Minneapolis since 1992. They’ll look to do so without Christian McCaffrey, who was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. The Vikings will be without Jordan Addison, but they mostly got good injury news on Sunday morning.
This game figures to come down to Sam Darnold’s performance and whether or not Brian Flores’ defense can force Brock Purdy to make a couple mistakes. No matter what happens, we should learn a lot about Kevin O’Connell’s team.
Follow along below for live updates throughout the afternoon. Hit refresh to see the latest news.
Vikings 20, 49ers 14
10:16 — Jordan Mason gets into for a touchdown to cut this back to a six-point game. The Vikings are also without Justin Jefferson, who is in the locker room with a quad injury.
0:00 — Unreal. Aaron Jones just fumbled right before the goal line. Fred Warner punched it out. That was so close to a 20-point lead for Minnesota. 49ers recovered and now have the ball deep in their own territory.
Vikings 20, 49ers 7
6:49 — That’s a massive swing for the Vikings. Josh Metellus gets a deflected interception against Brock Purdy and, one play later, Sam Darnold hits Jalen Nailor for a touchdown. Vikings up 13.
10:19 — After the Vikings went three and out to open the half, their defense just came up with a big sack courtesy of Pat Jones II to force a 49ers punt.
Halftime: Vikings 13, 49ers 7
0:00 — Will Reichard hits a 39-yard field goal as time expires to put the Vikings up six points at the break. That was quite the half.
Vikings 10, 49ers 7
1:53 — The 49ers, as good teams do, capitalize on the takeaway and turn it into seven points on a George Kittle touchdown reception. This is back to a three-point game.
4:38 — There’s the first ugly throw of the season for Darnold. He didn’t see Fred Warner and threw a rough interception in the red zone.
Vikings 10, 49ers 0
9:35 — Oh my goodness. Sam Darnold just hit Justin Jefferson for a 97-yard touchdown. That’s unreal. Jefferson got past two defenders, Darnold hit him in stride, and Jefferson cut it back for the score.
10:27 — What a stand from the Vikings’ defense. The 49ers had a first and goal at the 5 and wound up with 4th and goal at the 1. Andrew Van Ginkel tipped Brock Purdy’s pass at the line of scrimmage and Harrison Smith got it to the ground.
0:00 — As the opening quarter comes to an end, the 49ers are near midfield and looking to tie this game or take the lead.
Vikings 3, 49ers 0
4:45 — The Vikings are on the board first. A C.J. Ham blocked punt set them up with great field position, but they had to settle for a short field goal after failing to convert in the red zone.
9:31 — Both teams have punted to start this game. The 49ers went three and out and the Vikings punted from near midfield after a strange backward pass fumble resulted in a 13-yard loss.
