Sam Darnold & Vikings get last laugh in 23-17 win over 49ers

Sep 15, 2024, 1:02 PM | Updated: 1:52 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings slides for first down against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The 49ers entered Minnesota Sunday looking for revenge from last season. Instead, the Vikings came out and did what they do best: Beat San Francisco at home for an eighth-consecutive time.

The San Francisco 49ers dropped their first game of the 2024 regular season Sunday, losing, 23-17, to the Minnesota Vikings. Despite looking like an offensive juggernaut six days prior, the Red & Gold came out flat. On the other side, former 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold had his way, going for 268 passing yards and two touchdowns. In total, the 49ers’ defense gave up 403 total yards to the Vikings, the most since doing so to The Purple People Eaters Week 7 last season.

The 49ers’ most-recent loss marks the eighth-straight defeat to the Vikings in Minnesota, a streak dating back to 1992. SF is now 1-1 one the 2024 season.

The 49ers haven’t won in Minnesota since 1992. pic.twitter.com/Q7J37r5WUl
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 15, 2024

In a game of halves, the 49ers never seemed to get rhythm on offense. The offense as a whole scored only one touchdown in the first half, and a mere 10 points more thereafter. SF was shutout in both the first and third quarters Sunday. Their low point on the day was a 15-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter, resulting in zero points. Despite going for it on fourth down twice, it wasn’t enough to punch it in, with Purdy’s pass being deflected at the goal-line.

49ers QB Brock Purdy never got going, facing third down on every single drive against the Vikings. He was sacked four times as well, with the 49ers’ offensive line struggling against defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitzing defense.

Purdy was a little reckless with the ball on top of that, giving the Vikings the ball on two occasions. He finished 28/36, 319 passing yards with one TD, one INT and one fumble in Week 2. His best drive of the game came in the fourth quarter. A 12-play, 99-yard drive end with a 10-yard rushing score by running back Jordan Mason, cutting the deficit to 20-14.

The Red & Gold’s defense struggled to contain the Vikings, allowing them to get loose on multiple occasions. The biggest play of the game came in the second quarter, as Darnold found star wide receiver Justin Jefferson a play-action deep post route. Vikings Jefferson ran past 49ers safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum, using the help of some downfield blocking to cruise to the undone for the 97-yard TD strike.

Additionally, Minnesota’s run game got it going, amassing 146 yards on the ground. Backup RB TY Chandler led the way with 10 carries for 82 rushing yards.

The biggest blunder go the day for the 49ers came on special teams, giving the Vikings golden opportunities to capitalize. That began in the first quarter when punter Mitch Wishnowksy saw his punt blocked C.J. Ham. Minnesota would have the ball at SF’s 24-yard-line.

The 49ers’ special teams almost coughed up the rock again on a muffed punt. In the third quarter, rookie WR Jacob Cowing fumbled the catch, with a mad scramble for the football ensuing inside the 49ers’ redzone. Cornerback Isaac Yiadom somehow recovered the football at the 49ers’ 13-yard-line.

One of the lone bright spots of the day was All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. The BYU alum was a man possessed Sunday, forcing two fumbles with his significant punch-out technique. He singlehandedly kept the 49ers in the game, forcing a fumble by RB Aaron Jones at the one-yard-line to give SF the ball back. he also picked off Darnold on a acrobatic INT. Warner would finish with nine combined tackles, one sack, one INT, two pass break-ups and the two FFs.

But all that matters in the end is the result, with the 49ers dropping to 1-1 on the new league year in a relatively poor showing against the Vikings.

“Give them a lot of credit, they played real well, but it’s too sloppy in our part,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said postgame. “The two turnovers on offense, struggling on third down on both offense and defense. The special teams with the block punt, that might as well [be] a turnover to us. It was disappointing, we can play a lot better than that, but tip my hats off to them.”

The 49ers will look to get back on track in Week 3, heading to Los Angeles for a showdown with the Rams at SoFi Stadium.