Instant analysis of 49ers’ loss at Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS – Errors mounted from one quarter to the following, from the 49ers’ particular groups to their cross protection to an offense missing punch with out Christian McCaffrey.

For his or her eighth straight go to, the 49ers misplaced to the host Minnesota Vikings, a 23-17 determination that got here after a flirtatious fourth-quarter comeback try.

“It was too sloppy on our half,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “Two turnovers on offense, struggling on third down on offense and protection, particular groups with a blocked punt is sort of a turnover. It was disappointing.”

The 49ers final received right here in 1992, when Steve Younger was at quarterback. Now, they’re 1-1 for the fourth time in coach Kyle Shanahan’s eight seasons, unable to match the 2-0 begins that propelled their Tremendous Bowl seasons in 2019 and ’23.

The 49ers play their first NFC West opponent subsequent Sunday after they go to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, the place the 49ers have a a lot better historical past; the 49ers have received all 4 regular-season visits since SoFi opened in 2020, though they did lose the 2021 season’s NFC Championship Recreation.

Minnesota merely made extra large performs this sport than the 49ers – in all three phases.

All-Professional linebacker Fred Warner made a bevy of performs to at the very least maintain the 49ers shut, from grabbing a first-half interception to forcing a goal-line fumble, in addition to a sort out for loss, a third-down cross breakup and a fumble-forcing sack.

“That’s what gave us an opportunity,” Shanahan stated of Warner’s two takeaways.

Warner didn’t bathe in teammates’ reward of his efforts, as a substitute summing up their outing by saying: “Too many ‘My bads,’ too many ‘I’ll be higher subsequent time.’ Me included. We now have to play extra collectively as a workforce, play smarter soccer. The remainder will care for itself.”

Shanahan lamented the 49ers’ woes on third downs. Their offense transformed 2-of-10 third-down performs, and 1-of-3 on fourth down. Defensively, the 49ers allowed the Vikings to transform on 7-of-12 third-down alternatives.

A day after placing McCaffrey on injured reserve due to Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers bought stable manufacturing for a second straight begin from Jordan Mason, however their offense clammed up too typically and Brock Purdy dedicated a pair of second-half turnovers.

The 49ers’ closing quarter made issues fascinating regardless of some questionable decisions. On third-and-1 from the 4-yard line, moderately than name for a carry from 100-yard rusher Jordan Mason, the 49ers tried a cross that was practically intercepted earlier than Deebo Samuel snagged the bobbling ball and allowed for a brief subject aim with 1:12 remaining.

After Jake Moody’s subject aim, although, the Vikings recovered an onside kick and iced the sport.

A fourth-and-goal throw from the 2-yard line within the first quarter backfired much more. That ended a scoreless 93-yard drive as Purdy’s was tipped on the line and fell in need of Jauan Jennings’ grasp. Minnesota took that momentum and ran away towards a home-opening win.

“We felt we may have scored. I beloved the aggressiveness by Kyle going for it,” Purdy stated. “They’d a blitz. One man got here free and, in our cross safety, that’s simply how it’s, and he tipped the ball. I used to be attempting to present JJ a shot. That’s the place the ball is meant to go in man (protection). Thought I had it.”

Two performs later, that soccer soared by the air for 50 yards on the fly as Sam Darnold unleashed a cross from his personal finish zone and hit Justin Jefferson for a 97-yard landing previous safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum to make it 10-0.

Darnold, Purdy’s backup final season, unleashed a second landing cross for a 20-7 lead within the third quarter. That 10-yard lob to Jalen Nailor got here on a protection snafu between Charvarius Ward and Brown. On the previous snap, Purdy threw his first interception of the season.

The Vikings practically made it a three-score ballgame till Warner rushed to the rescue, punching the ball from Aaron Jones’ grasp on the 2-yard line, with Isaac Yiadom recovering on the 1. A landing run by Mason capped the following 12-play, 99-yard drive with 10:16 remaining.

Minnesota responded with a 14-play drive that took 6:46 off the clock and ended with a subject aim to make it a two-score sport.

The 49ers’ particular groups had two horrible performs, beginning with a blocked punt on their second collection that led to a subject aim and a 3-0 deficit. The 49ers escaped one other turnover when rookie punt returner Jacob Cowing botched a good catch on the 10-yard line earlier than Yiadom recovered.

Mason completed with 100 yards on 20 carries for a powerful encore from his beginning debut in Monday’s season-opening win over the Jets. However the 49ers bought no dashing assist elsewhere, other than Purdy’s 12 yards on two scrambles; Samuel misplaced 10 yards on two carries, and rookie Isaac Guerendo was stopped for no acquire on his first and solely profession carry.