There is a crisis in the bay
After achieving a streak of 15 consecutive victories between this season and the previous one, the San Francisco 49ers lost for the second time: after falling to the Cleveland Browns last week, the Niners lost sight of the Minnesota Vikings (22-17) in Monday Night Football of Week 7.
Kirk Cousins, who came into this game with a 2-10 record in Monday Night games (one of the most important games in prime time), had a memorable performance with the Vikings, completing 35 of 45 passes for 378 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
In the absence of Justin Jefferson due to injury, Cousins found Jordan Addison (seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns) and T.J. Hockerson (11 catches for 86 yards) as the men to move his offense, although they struggled in the red zone and settled for field goals twice.
Brock Purdy had his second consecutive game with interceptions, including two in the last quarter that sealed the fate of the game. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards, with one touchdown.
It seemed like the game was tilting in favor of the Niners, when Charvarius Ward won the matchup against Addison and intercepted Cousins on the third play; however, when San Francisco was on the opponent's 12-yard line, Christian McCaffrey (15 carries for 45 yards) lost the ball after a tackle by Harrison Smith, and Dean Lowry recovered it.
Minnesota moved the ball 89 yards and Cousins opened the scoring with a 20-yard pass to Addison. The 49ers struggled and Jake Moody missed a field goal for the second consecutive game, this time from 40 yards. Greg Joseph, on the other hand, did not fail in the response, with a 21-yard attempt that originated from that offensive drive.
San Francisco started to respond and moved the ball three-quarters of the field, until McCaffrey redeemed himself from his fumble and scored on a three-yard carry. But the Vikings did not let themselves be intimidated at U.S. Bank Stadium and moved the chains the same 75 yards, finishing the drive with a deep pass to the right: the Cousins-Addison connection made a great play of 60 yards, and with seven seconds left to play in the first half, Minnesota was winning 16-7, due to Joseph missing the extra point.
The lead increased with a 20-yard and 54-yard field goal by Joseph, which were separated by a 35-yard pass from Purdy to McCaffrey (three receptions for 51 yards). In the fourth quarter, Moody converted the 55-yard field goal and brought his team closer at 17-22.
But despite getting Minnesota's punt, the interceptions came. When looking for Jauan Jennings on a deep pass, Camryn Bynum read the play well and stole the aerial ball. The Vikings reached San Francisco's 32-yard line, but Joseph missed the 50-yard field goal and left 1:11 for the Niners to seek the touchdown.
San Francisco moved the ball in five plays and 20 yards, but another deep pass from Purdy ended in a turnover: Bynun never took his eyes off the ball and kept an interception intended for Ray-Ray McLoud III. The Vikings won at home and San Francisco suffered another defeat in the year.