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Headed into Monday Night Football’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, the two teams were viewed in different ways. The Niners came in as leaders of the NFC and Super Bowl favorites for their conference. Minnesota came in as a struggling franchise that was failing to capture its potential this year. The Vikings ultimately were able to prove the doubters wrong for a night on primetime television.
The Vikings (3-4) defeated the 49ers (5-2) 22-17 at home Monday night. The Minnesota defense held firm against the 49ers’ attempts at a comeback to take a much-needed conference victory.
How It Happened
CAM CALLED GAME
📺: @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/3bU5oPMFPb
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2023
Both teams got the game started with a pair of turnovers. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins opened his drive with a turnover, which wouldn’t reflect his final stat line of 378 yards and two touchdowns on 35 completions. San Francisco responded right away on the next drive and was haunted by turnovers late in the game.
Minnesota struck first with a touchdown and a field goal while the 49ers failed to put points on the board. They eventually found the endzone and Minnesota responded with its second and final touchdown of the game to make it 16-10 at halftime.
In the second half, the Vikings played the field goal game as it attempted to dispel Brock Purdy and the Niners offense. Purdy finished with 272 yards, a touchdown and two picks on 21 completions. A second-half touchdown plus a field goal made it 22-17 in the Vikings’ advantage, but a late Minnesota punt with under five minutes left put the lead in danger.
That’s when Purdy tossed his first interception to Minnesota DB Camryn Bynum.
The Vikings drove down the field to put the game on ice. They missed the field goal to give San Francisco another chance. Purdy dropped back with 29 seconds left — and found Bynum for another pick to seal his team’s fate. Minnesota walked away with the crucial conference win in clutch fashion.
What’s Next
https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1716661455032893948
Minnesota takes on its division rival, the Green Bay Packers, Sunday at 1 p.m. The 49ers look to bounce back against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
