49ers @ Vikings Week 7 Live Blog

This is the live blog for the 49ers' Week 7 road game against the Minnesota Vikings. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from my living room.

3:40 The way I see it, this game comes down to the 49ers offense, because the defense should play extremely well. It's facing Kirk Cousins, who's a deer in the headlights, especially on Monday Night Football, plus he doesn't have his No. 1 receiver, Justin Jefferson, or a run game. The 49ers defense has all the advantages. But the 49ers offense is shorthanded. It won't have Deebo Samuel and it probably won't have Trent Williams. In addition, Christian McCaffrey will play, but he has a slight oblique tear and might not be able to take over the game like he typically does. Which means the game could come down to Brock Purdy. Can he find a way to move the ball without the full supporting cast? He hasn't had to play without multiple All Pro teammates much in the past -- he's been able to lean on those elite veterans. Today, he needs to play like an elite veteran. Meaning not like he played last week against the Browns, when he threw one pass that was intercepted and another two that should have been intercepted. Purdy has to make quick decisions against the blitz and not put the ball in harm's way. Because if anyone is going to lose this game for the 49ers, Purdy is the most likely one to do it. For the record, I expect the 49ers to win 23-13.

4:13 Here are the 49ers' inactives: Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, Kalia Davis, Ty Davis-Price, Jalen Graham, Brayden Willis, Brandon Allen.

5:16 The Vikings get the ball first.

FIRST QUARTER

5:19 On 2nd and 10 from the Vikings 44, Kirk Cousins stares down his wide receiver and gets intercepted by Charvarius Ward. Great man-to-man coverwage by the 49ers' top cornerback.

5:23 On 1st and 10 from the Vikings 15, Christian McCaffrey fumbles for the second time this season and the Vikings recover. The 49ers give it right back and the Vikings take over at their 11.

5:34 On 3rd and 2 from the 49ers 20, Dre Greenlaw gives up a touchdown pass to Jordan Addison. That was an incredibly easy drive by the Vikings who committed a delay of game. So far, they're averaging 7 yards per carry. This is a team that can't run the ball, and it's gashing the 49ers' defense.

49ers 0, Vikings 7.

SECOND QUARTER

5:47 On 3rd and 6 from the Vikings 22, Jauan Jennings slips and drops a pass that was thrown behind him. Then Jake Moody misses a 40-yard field goal wide right. Uh oh. The 49ers officially have a problem.

6:03 On 2nd and goal from the 3, Kirk Cousins misses a wide open Jordan Addison in the back left corner of the end zone. The Vikings kick a field goal two plays later. I'm shocked at how poorly the 49ers defense has played so far.

49ers 0, Vikings 10.

6:21 On 2nd and goal from the 3, Christian McCaffrey plows into the end zone for the touchdown. He's averaging only 3.2 yards per carry and he lost a fumble in the red zone earlier, but he also has the 49ers' first points. Keep in mind, the 49ers will get the ball to start the second half.

49ers 7, Vikings 10.

6:28 On 3rd and 6 from the Vikings 40, Kirk Cousins throws a pass right to Charvarius Ward, but he lets the ball hit him in the chest and it bounces to Jordan Addison who catches it and runs for a 60-yard touchdown. Should have been a turnover. Instead, it's a touchdown with seven seconds left in the half. The 49ers defense has been so bad in this game.

49ers 7, Vikings 16.

THIRD QUARTER

6:51 On 2nd and 13 from the 49ers 33, Danielle Hunter beats Colton McKivitz to the inside and sacks Brock Purdy for a 12-yard loss. Next play, Purdy's pass gets tipped at the line of scrimmage, and then the 49ers punt. The Vikings will start at their 21.

7:04 On 2nd and 10 from the 49ers 18, Deommodore Lenoir commits a pass interference penalty in the end zone. But the 49ers make a goal line stand and force a field goal. The defense has been terrible but it has made two clutch goal line stands that are keeping the 49ers in the game.

49ers 7, Vikings 19.

7:09 On 1st and 10 from the Vikings 35, Purdy throws a swing pass to Christian McCaffrey who breaks one tackle and scores a touchdown. Great call against an all-out blitz. That was a three-play drive. And just like that, the 49ers are back in the game.

49ers 14, Vikings 19.

10:23 On 3rd and 12 from the 49ers 43, Cousins checks down for seven yards. Then the Vikings make a 54-yard field goal. They also lost Jordan Addison to a foot injury during the drive. So it's a one-score game, but the 49ers can't take the lead on the upcoming drive. They merely can tie the game, and those two-point conversions are tough.

49ers 14, Vikings 22.

FOURTH QUARTER

7:36 On 3rd and 6 from the Vikings 37, Purdy throws a one-hopper to Brandon Aiyuk. Then Jake Moody makes a 55-yard field goal. He just saved his job.

49ers 17, Vikings 22.

7:48 On 3rd and 4 from the 49ers 42, K.J. Osborn drops a deep pass from Cousins, and then the Vikings punt the ball into the end zone. The 49ers will start from their 20. The 49ers defense has sacked Cousins a grand total of zero times.

7:53 On 1st and 10 from the Vikings 49, Purdy throws an interception over the middle right to safety Cam Bynum. The intended receiver, Jauan Jennings, may have slipped.

8:08 The Vikings miss a 51-yard field goal attempt wide right with 1:11. The 49ers have the ball at their 40 with no timeouts.

8:11 On 2nd and 10 from the Vikings 40, Purdy steps up in the pocket and throws his second pick of the night. The pass was intended for Ray Ray McCloud. Reckless throw. Stay tuned for the 49ers grades.