Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) breaks up a pass that was intended for San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszcyk (44) in second half action at US Bank Field in Minneapolis on Sun Sep 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) came up a touchdown short losing to the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) 23-17 in a game that was not their finest hour. Quarterback Brock Purdy finished with 297 yards, one touchdown and one interception. They did rally in the third quarter but both George Kittle and Nick Bosa were helped off the field during the quarter. They also had three fumbles although two were recovered.

Game recap: The first quarter of this game was all defense. The only scoring in the opening quarter was a Minnesota field goal. Viking kicker Will Reichard kicked a 22 field goal and going into the second quarter Minnesota led 3-0.

The offensive effort got going in earnest in the second quarter by both teams. The Vikings extended their lead five minutes into the quarter when quarterback Sam Darnold connected with Justin Jefferson for 97 yards and the first touchdown of the day. The extra point was good and Minnesota had a 10-0 lead.

The first half was looking like a wash when the 49ers finally scored with 1:53 left on the clock. Quarterback Brock Purdy hit one of his favorite targets George Kittle for seven yards and San Francisco’s first points.

The extra point was good and the 49ers had cut the Minnesota lead to 10-7. The Niners needed to take that score into the locker room at the half but the Vikings drove downfield kicking a second field goal as the clock ran out on the second quarter. A Will Reichard 39 yard field goal gave the Vikings a 13-7 lead at halftime.

Minnesota scored their second touchdown of the day at 6:49 in the third quarter. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had his second touchdown of the day, a 10 yard connection with Jalen Nailor extending their lead 20-7.

San Francisco had a hole to dig out of and they did not start making any noise until the fourth quarter. The Minnesota defense was making life miserable for the 49ers so far in this game and San Francisco had a lot of work to do in the fourth quarter.

The Niners did score twice in the fourth quarter but they came up just short. Running back Jordan Mason scored a touchdown at 10:16 rushing for ten yards. Jake Moody kicked a 31 yard field goal with the clock running down and 1:12 left in the game. The Minnesota Vikings had kicked a 27 yard field goal at 3:30. The final was 23-17 in favor of the Vikings. San Francisco had come up a touchdown short against a very tough Vikings team.

San Francisco really struggled in this game. A collection of fumbles (they had 3 but only lost 1) and a Purdy interception didn’t do much for their cause. San Francisco got some exceptional yardage from Purdy with 291 yards, Jordan Mason’s 100 yards and Deebo Samuel’s 110 receiving yards.

George Kittle had 76 receiving yards. Two San Francisco players were helped off the field in the game. George Kittle went to the locker room in the third quarter but does not appear to be hurt suffering from cramps. It snowballed when Nick Bosa was also helped off the field in the same quarter. It was a frustrating game for San Francisco. On paper the stats were positive but on the field it did not translate.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon, the 49ers traveled to Minnesota to take on Vikings at US Bank Stadium. Christian McCaffrey did not take the field in this game missing his second straight game. It was reported that he will miss four games after being put on injured reserve with calf tightness and achilles tendinitis. Last week Jordan Mason had a terrific game rushing for 140 plus yards and replaced McCaffrey in his absence.

Mason has been doing a bang up job and has been a solid addition to the Niners rushing game. U.S. Bank Stadium was rocking in this game and San Francisco was fighting the Vikings with the deafening noise from the 66,741 fans attending the game today.

The 49ers have a lot to digest as they prepare for their game next Sunday in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium against their rivals, the Rams. Los Angeles was getting stomped by the Cardinals in the first half of their game 24-3 but they were on the Arizona three yard line. The Rams would get their get their heads handed to them in a 41-10 victory on Sunday.

The Niners are favored but they will have to deal with the Stafford/Cupp connection. Despite that, San Francisco has all the weapons needed for a win in this game. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 1:25 PM PT in the Southland.