Vikings top Christian McCaffrey-less 49ers for upset win after dominant showing from Justin Jefferson

Justin Jefferson, who hauled in a wild 97-yard touchdown catch in the first half, left the game early with a quad injury. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers survived just fine without Christian McCaffrey last week to start the season. Week 2, however, was a very different story.

The Minnesota Vikings led the 49ers the entire way on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. They held on late after nearly breaking out a blowout win to secure a 23-17 victory and improve to 2-0 on the year, thanks in large part to a huge day from Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson, after the Vikings kicked a field goal in the first quarter to get the day started, hauled in a ridiculous 97-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It was the longest catch of Jefferson’s career, and it moved him past the 6,000-yard mark. Jefferson matched the fastest pace to reach 6,000 career receiving yards in NFL history, too.

Jefferson left the game late in the third quarter with a quad injury after he awkwardly collided with 49ers star Nick Bosa. He finished with 133 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

Though George Kittle scored his first touchdown of the season on a 7-yard toss from Brock Purdy later in the quarter, the Vikings kicked one last field goal to take a 13-7 lead into the break. Then, after Josh Matellus intercepted Purdy in the third quarter, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold hit Jalen Nailor for a 10-yard score to put them up 20-7.

The 49ers made it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter after Purdy mounted a 12-play, 99-yard touchdown drive that started after Aaron Jones fumbled at the half-yard line. Jordan Mason ran in a 10-yard touchdown on that drive, which pushed him over the 100-yard mark for the game.

But Darnold closed out the game with a long drive that lasted nearly seven minutes before Will Reichard hit his third field goal of the day to all-but seal win for the Vikings. The 49ers marched down the field quick after that and kicked a field…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-15 20:03:24

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