The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) have not won in Minnesota in 32 years, and though it felt like that could mean they were due on Sunday, it was not to be. They played a sloppy game in all three phases, and lost, 23-17, to former teammate Sam Darnold and the Vikings.
“The two turnovers on offense, struggling on third down on both offense and defense, the special teams with the blocked punt – it’s the same as a turnover to us,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. It was disappointing…but I tip my hats off to [the Vikings]. They were part of the reason.”
Third downs were a mess for San Francisco. They were 2-of-10 in converting them, while the Vikings were 7-of-12. The 49ers were not able to stay on the field on offense and were not able to get off the field on defense.
“We was pretty mad, we know we’ve got to play better on defense, get off the field on third down,” said cornerback Charvarius Ward. “They had some great play calls on third down…but we’ve got to overcome that and try to get off the field. We didn’t do a good job of that today or last week.”
The 49ers were also 1-of-3 on fourth down, and the fact that they even went for it on fourth down that many times says a lot.
Brock Purdy had two turnovers and the 49ers allowed six sacks. Even with all that, the 49ers still had a chance in the fourth quarter, but the defense could not stop a drive that ended in a field goal that was the nail in the coffin.
It has to be said that the 49ers do miss running back Christian McCaffrey, who was put on Injured Reserve Saturday, meaning he will miss at least four games. Jordan Mason is filling extremely well as RB1, but McCaffrey is just different and his presence, or lack thereof, changes was he 49ers can do.
The Christian McCaffrey Effect as explained by George Kittle #49ers pic.twitter.com/OCIuK1eKs8
— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) September 15, 2024
It was an ominous sign when Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt was blocked in the first quarter. That led to a Vikings field goal. The 49ers responded with a 15-play drive that lasted over nine minutes, spanned 88-yards and resulted in zero points when they couldn’t convert on 4th-and-goal. Two plays later the Vikings scored on what even George Kittle had to say was “a sick play” when Minnesota Darnold threw a long pass to Justin Jefferson. Jefferson got behind safeties George Odum and Ji’Ayir Brown and ended up with a 97-yard touchdown.
We're really about to put an active player in Canton.@JJettas2
📺: @NFLonCBs pic.twitter.com/cephalTst9
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2024
It really was a no good, very bad day for the 49ers.
All that being said, there was a bright spot for San Francisco in the form of linebacker Fred Warner.
“He’s playing at an even higher level than he has in the past, which is saying a lot,” said defensive end Nick Bosa. “It’s fun to play with him. He’s like my security blanket out there, just knowing that he’s there is huge…He doesn’t get too high when things are going good or too low when things are going bad, which is what you want from a leader.”
Warner had an interception, forced a fumble and did everything he could to keep the 49ers in the game. And it almost worked.
“I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself,” said Warner. “I have the utmost confidence in my abilities…It’s just about me trying to do my job, and when the play’s there, it’s about just me making it.”
Next week, the 49ers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. They won’t be coming off a short week and they won’t be traveling as far, but they do have a lot to clean up.