On September 15, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers traveled to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 2 matchup of the 2024 NFL season. The game ended with the Vikings securing a narrow 23-17 victory, marking a significant upset as the 49ers were favored to win. This article provides a comprehensive and unique analysis of the player stats from this game, highlighting key performances, strategic insights, and areas for improvement for both teams. This content is based on the latest information from reliable sources.
🏈 Game Summary: 49ers vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats
- 🏈 Sport:American Football
- 🏆 League: NFL (National Football League) Season: 2024 NFL Regular Season – Week 2
- 📅 Date: September 15, 2024 (Sunday)
- 📍 Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 🏠 Home Team: San Francisco 49ers
- 🆚 Away Team: Minnesota Vikings
- ✅ Winner: Minnesota Vikings
- 🔢 Final Score: Minnesota Vikings: 23 San Francisco 49ers: 17
Game Context and Background
The 49ers, coming off a disappointing Week 1 loss, were eager to bounce back against a Vikings team that had started the season with a win. However, the Vikings proved to be a formidable opponent, leveraging their home-field advantage and capitalizing on key opportunities. The game was a battle of offenses, with both teams showcasing strong passing games, but the Vikings’ defense held firm in critical moments to secure the win.
The final score was 23-17, with the Vikings pulling ahead in the fourth quarter thanks to a field goal by Will Reichard. The 49ers fought back with a late field goal but ran out of time to mount a comeback. This game highlighted the Vikings’ resilience and the 49ers’ struggles to capitalize on their offensive potential.
Detailed Player Stats Analysis
The game statistics reveal a tale of two teams: one dominant in key moments and the other struggling to find rhythm. Below, I break down the key offensive and defensive performers for both teams, based on detailed box scores from Pro-Football-Reference.com and supplemented by ESPN.
San Francisco 49ers’ Performance
The 49ers’ offense was heavily reliant on the passing game, generating 396 total yards, with 294 passing and 102 rushing. Their passing game was led by Brock Purdy, who completed 28 of 36 passes for 319 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, earning a passer rating of 101.3. Purdy also contributed 12 rushing yards on 2 attempts, showing his mobility. His touchdown pass was a 7-yard throw to George Kittle in the second quarter, but his interception in the third quarter gave the Vikings excellent field position, proving costly.
The rushing game was led by Jordan Mason, who gained 100 yards on 20 attempts with 1 touchdown, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, with a long run of 22 yards. His performance was a bright spot, but the overall rushing attack totaled just 102 yards on 25 attempts, indicating struggles against the Vikings’ front seven. Deebo Samuel had 2 rushing attempts for -10 yards, reflecting the 49ers’ difficulty establishing the run game. Isaac Guerendo had 1 carry for 0 yards, and Purdy’s 12 rushing yards were modest.
In the receiving game, Deebo Samuel was the top target, catching 8 passes for 110 yards on 10 targets, averaging 13.8 yards per catch, with a long reception of 28 yards. George Kittle was a reliable option, hauling in 7 receptions for 76 yards on 8 targets, averaging 10.9 yards per catch, with a long of 25 yards, and scoring 1 touchdown. Brandon Aiyuk contributed with 4 catches for 43 yards on 5 targets, averaging 10.8 yards per catch, with a long of 22 yards. Jauan Jennings had 2 receptions for 37 yards on 4 targets, averaging 18.5 yards per catch, with a long of 25 yards. Eric Saubert caught 2 passes for 26 yards on 2 targets, averaging 13.0 yards per catch, with a long of 14 yards. Kyle Juszczyk had 3 catches for 19 yards on 5 targets, averaging 6.3 yards per catch, with a long of 8 yards. Chris Conley and Jordan Mason each had 1 reception for 4 yards on 1 target, averaging 4.0 yards per catch.
Defensively, the 49ers recorded 6 sacks, with Nick Bosa leading the way with 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits, and Fred Warner contributing with 9 combined tackles, 1 sack, and 2 passes defended. Ji’Ayir Brown had 5 combined tackles, while Isaac Yiadom and De’Vondre Campbell Sr. each had 3 and 5 combined tackles, respectively. The defense struggled to contain the Vikings’ passing attack, particularly Justin Jefferson, who torched them for 133 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings’ Dominance
The Vikings’ offense was balanced, generating 403 total yards, with 257 passing and 146 rushing. Their passing game was led by Sam Darnold, who completed 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, earning a passer rating of 109.1. Darnold also rushed for 32 yards on 5 attempts, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, with a long run of 18 yards. His touchdowns were a 97-yard pass to Justin Jefferson and a 10-yard pass to Jalen Nailor, but his interception in the fourth quarter gave the 49ers a chance to rally.
The rushing game was led by Ty Chandler, who gained 82 yards on 10 attempts, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, with a long run of 25 yards. Aaron Jones Sr. added 32 yards on 9 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, with a long run of 8 yards. Darnold’s 32 rushing yards contributed to the Vikings’ total of 146 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
In the receiving game, Justin Jefferson was the star, catching 4 passes for 133 yards on 7 targets, averaging 33.3 yards per catch, with a long reception of 97 yards and 1 touchdown. Jalen Nailor contributed with 3 receptions for 54 yards on 4 targets, averaging 18.0 yards per catch, with a long of 25 yards and 1 touchdown. Aaron Jones Sr. had 5 catches for 36 yards on 6 targets, averaging 7.2 yards per catch, with a long of 10 yards. Trent Sherfield Sr. caught 1 pass for 17 yards on 2 targets, averaging 17.0 yards per catch, with a long of 17 yards. Brandon Powell had 2 receptions for 16 yards on 2 targets, averaging 8.0 yards per catch, with a long of 9 yards, and Johnny Mundt caught 2 passes for 12 yards on 3 targets, averaging 6.0 yards per catch, with a long of 7 yards.
Defensively, the Vikings were solid, limiting the 49ers to 17 points and forcing 2 turnovers, including Purdy’s interception and a fumble recovery. Blake Cashman led with 13 combined tackles, 1 sack, and 3 passes defended, while Ivan Pace Jr. had 9 combined tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Stephon Gilmore, Joshua Metellus, and Cam Bynum each had 6, 7, and 8 combined tackles, respectively, with Metellus adding 1 pass defended and Bynum contributing to the defensive effort. The Vikings’ defense also recorded 6 sacks, with Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Patrick Jones II each getting 1 sack, and Jones II adding 2 quarterback hits.
Key Moments and Strategic Insights
The game’s momentum was set early, with the Vikings taking a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Will Reichard. The second quarter saw the Vikings extend their lead to 10-0 with a 97-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson, a play that showcased the Vikings’ ability to capitalize on deep passes. The 49ers responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to George Kittle, cutting the deficit to 10-7, but the Vikings answered with a 39-yard field goal by Reichard to lead 13-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Vikings extended their lead to 20-7 with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Jalen Nailor, following a 49ers interception. The 49ers fought back in the fourth quarter, with Jordan Mason scoring on a 10-yard run to make it 20-14, but the Vikings responded with a 27-yard field goal by Reichard to lead 23-14. The 49ers managed a late 31-yard field goal by Jake Moody to make it 23-17, but time ran out, and the Vikings secured the victory.
Strategically, the Vikings’ balanced attack, combining Darnold’s passing with a strong rushing game led by Chandler, overwhelmed the 49ers’ defense. The 49ers, on the other hand, relied heavily on the passing game, with Purdy throwing for 319 yards, but their rushing game struggled, totaling just 102 yards on 25 attempts. This imbalance allowed the Vikings to focus on defending the pass, which led to Purdy’s interception and limited scoring opportunities. The Vikings’ defense, particularly their ability to force turnovers, was a game-changer, as evidenced by the 2 turnovers that led to scoring opportunities.
Additional Player Stats Tables
To provide a deeper analysis, here are additional stats for both teams, focusing on special teams contributions and fumbles:
Special Teams Contributions
| Player | Team | Field Goals Made (Yards) | Extra Points Made | Punts (Avg. Yards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Moody | SF | 31 | 2 | – |
| Will Reichard | MIN | 22, 39, 27 | 2 | – |
| Mitch Wishnowsky | SF | – | – | 3 (50.3) |
| Ryan Wright | MIN | – | – | 3 (50.3) |
Fumbles
| Player | Team | Fumbles | Lost | Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | SF | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jordan Mason | SF | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Sam Darnold | MIN | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Aaron Jones Sr. | MIN | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Implications for Both Teams
For the San Francisco 49ers, the loss dropped them to 1-1, highlighting their need to address their rushing game and reduce turnovers. Purdy showed promise, but his interception and fumble were costly. The defense, while strong in generating sacks, must improve its coverage to prevent big plays like Jefferson’s 97-yard touchdown. As the season progresses, the 49ers will need to find better balance on offense and tighten up their secondary to remain competitive in the NFC West.
For the Minnesota Vikings, the win improved their record to 2-0, solidifying their early-season momentum. Darnold’s performance was a pleasant surprise, and Jefferson’s dominance reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s top receivers. However, the Vikings’ offense must reduce turnovers, as Darnold’s interception could have been costly in a closer game. Defensively, the Vikings showed they can compete with top teams, but they will need to maintain this level of play against tougher opponents.
Conclusion
The San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings game on September 15, 2024, was a thrilling contest that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. The Vikings’ balanced offense and resilient defense secured them a 23-17 victory, while the 49ers’ struggles with turnovers and a lackluster rushing game ultimately cost them the game. Key performances from players like Brock Purdy, Jordan Mason, Justin Jefferson, and Blake Cashman highlighted the game’s intensity and competitiveness.
As the season continues, both teams will look to build on this game. The 49ers must address their offensive inconsistencies and defensive lapses, while the Vikings will aim to sustain their early-season success. For fans and analysts alike, this game serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL and the importance of executing in critical moments.
