Vikings vs. 49ers Live Score Updates, Discussion
The Vikings and 49ers are all set to kick off the weekend of NFL divisional playoff games. With a spot in the NFC championship game on the line, Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo (and the rest of the two teams) will face off at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
This should be a fascinating game across the board. There are countless storylines, narratives, individual player matchups, and coaching matchups that should make for an entertaining, competitive game.
For the Vikings, the big news of the morning is that wide receiver Adam Thielen is active. Thielen suffered a nasty cut on his ankle on Wednesday, but it would take more than that to keep him out of this one.
Here's everything you need to get ready for the game:
- Feature: the Vikings aren't satisfied with just one playoff win
- Defending 49ers tight end George Kittle will be a major challenge for the Vikings
- Opponent Q&A with Jose Sanchez of 49erMaven, for some excellent insight on the home team
- Game predictions from the national media, which is split on who will win but pretty unanimously expects a close game
- Three keys to a Vikings victory, with detailed discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams
For the record, my prediction is Vikings 27, 49ers 24. I don't exactly like that I'm feeling somewhat confident in the Vikings for this game, but I am. I think they match up very well with the 49ers, and have a few game-changing players in Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, and Anthony Harris. Thielen being active helps a lot. I would be shocked if this one doesn't come down to the wire. Dan Bailey wins it with a last-second field goal and the Vikings advance to the final four.
Join us in the comment section below as the game unfolds. Make sure to refresh the page for live updates. To comment, you'll need to create an account, which you can do for free by going to the VikingMaven homepage and clicking follow on the top-right of the screen.
Fourth Quarter
49ers 27, Vikings 10
14:17 Robbie Gould kicks a short field goal.
Third Quarter
1:14 Marcus Sherels just muffed a punt, and the 49ers are going to go up by three scores. A disastrous error.
3:44 Vikings go three and out once again. Their offense has been an utter mess, outside of one touchdown drive in the first half.
49ers 24, Vikings 10
4:57 Tevin Coleman gets into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day. The Vikings simply cannot stop the 49ers' running game right now.
9:56 Awful interception by Kirk Cousins. He throws it right to Richard Sherman, and the 49ers get the ball back. Right tackle Brian O'Neill was injured on the play, and has gone to the locker room. He's being evaluated with a concussion.
49ers 17, Vikings 10
10:47 Vikings hold the 49ers to a field goal on the opening possession of the second half.
Second Quarter
49ers 14, Vikings 10
0:36 Vikings forced to settle for a Dan Bailey field goal. Cousins was sacked on third and long. Missed a wide open Diggs on second down.
2:45 Eric Kendricks comes through with a huge interception. Poor throw by Garoppolo, but that's a massive play before halftime. Vikings already in field goal range.
4:54 Vikings forced to punt after another three and out, but they at least pin the 49ers deep.
49ers 14, Vikings 7
7:12 Tevin Coleman goes in for a one-yard touchdown. Ten-play, 53-yard drive for the 49ers, who retake the lead. They converted on 3rd and 12, then avoided what looked to be a fumble after it was overturned upon review.
12:57 Arik Armstead went right through Brian O'Neill for a sack on first down, and the Vikings couldn't recover. They punt from deep in their own territory, giving the 49ers great field position.
First Quarter
0:30 49ers' second offensive possession doesn't go as well as their first. Danielle Hunter picked up a big sack of Garoppolo, and Stephen Weatherly was credited with a sack on third and very long. Eric Kendricks nearly had a pick. Vikings get the ball back.
49ers 7, Vikings 7
5:30 Heck of a response by the Vikings. Cousins finds Stefon Diggs for 41 yards and a touchdown to complete a seven-play, 79-yard drive. That was the second of two big third-down conversions by Cousins on the drive.
49ers 7, Vikings 0
9:33 The 49ers get on the board first, and it was easy. After a Vikings three and out, SF marched down the field on just eight plays and capped it off with a touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Kendrick Bourne. Garoppolo was 5 of 6 for 57 yards. Great playcalling from Kyle Shanahan. Concerning start for Mike Zimmer and the Vikings.
