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What a performance from the defensive line
You couldn’t script a better start to the game for the San Francisco 49ers. The defense forced a three-and-out after Arik Armstead, and DeForest Buckner both made plays. An eight-play followed that 61-yard touchdown drive capped off by a Kendrick Bourne touchdown catch. It was a methodical drive for the offense. Jimmy Garoppolo went five of six for 57 yards.
The Vikings had moved the ball on the next drive, thanks to a pass interference on Ahkello Witherspoon. He gave up a slant on a couple of plays later, then Stefon Diggs beat him down the field for a touchdown. That tied the game at seven, and you were just wondering how long Witherspoon would play. The question was answered when Emmanuel Moseley came into the game on the next drive.
The 49ers needed to answer with a score on the next drive, and they were faced with a third and long. Bourne made a tremendous play to work back to the ball, then dive and make the catch. That kept the drive alive. A false start and a sack by Mike McGlinchey forced the 49ers to punt. The 49ers looked much better the next time they had the ball. They were physical and were finishing runs. Tevin Coleman ended the drive with a touchdown. It was a 10-play, 53-yard drive that took five minutes off the clock. That felt like “49ers football.”
The 49ers had a chance to score before the half, but Garoppolo threw a costly interception. He didn’t see Eric Kendricks underneath, and that is how the Vikings got on the board again in the first half. The defense did an excellent job of holding Minnesota to a field goal to make it 14-10 at the half. The Niners answered with a field goal out of the half to make it 17-10, but Jimmy had Juice wide open off play-action but missed him. It was a nice design by Shanahan on third and short, but pressure likely forced Garoppolo away from Kyle Juszczyk.
It felt like we were due for a turnover from Cousins, and he did not disappoint. Richard Sherman intercepted Cousins after Nick Bosa made back-to-back plays. You could sense the pressure was starting to get to Cousins, and it did on the drive. The turnover put San Francisco in great field position. The 49ers ran the ball eight straight times on the next drive for a score. Talk about a demoralizing drive. It was evident that Minnesota had no answer for the ground game. That made it 24-10.
Through three quarters, the Vikings had four first downs, were averaging 3.3 yards per play, and had more return yardage than they did offensive yardage. Simply an outstanding day from the defense.
The 49ers recovered a muffed punt from the Vikings, which gave them a short field. The Niners had to settle for a field goal after a couple of passes to Kittle didn’t work. That made it 27-10. There was a scare on defense as Bosa sacked Cousins, thanks to Sherman running Thielen’s route for him, but Bosa stayed down on the field. The fans were chanting, “Bosa! Bosa! Bosa!” About five seconds later, Bosa jumped to his feet and signaled to everyone he was okay. What a hilarious turn of events.
The pass rush did not let up as the game went along, and that was the difference in the game. Buckner sacked Cousins, and that gave every member of the “big four” a sack. Just an unreal performance from the front four. They dominated from the very first snap and never let up.
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