By Alec Lewis, Matt Barrows and Mark Puleo
Sam Darnold has started 58 games across seven years with four teams. Only one of those teams, the 2019 New York Jets, won more than four of the games Darnold started. The 2024 Minnesota Vikings are already halfway there.
In Sunday’s 23-17 win over the stunned San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings rode Darnold’s gunslinging arm to their first 2-0 start since 2016. That arm was on full display in the second quarter as Darnold connected with star receiver Justin Jefferson on a 97-yard touchdown pass, the longest NFL play since 2022. Darnold finished the win without Jefferson, who exited in the second half with a quad injury, or receiver Jordan Addison who was ruled out before the game.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Against the reigning NFC champs’ stout defense, Darnold repeatedly capitalized on cover lapses and timely Minnesota defensive takeaways to move the Vikings a key win closer to their second winning season since 2020.
Jefferson’s health is paramount
While this Vikings win is organizationally massive, and critical in terms of the Vikings’ place in NFC, Jefferson exited with a quad injury. With fewer than a minute remaining in the third quarter, Jefferson tumbled to the turf after colliding with 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. Jefferson limped off with the help of trainers, visited the medical tent and then was ushered to the locker room.
The Vikings termed the injury a “quad injury,” and Jefferson did not return. Last year, Jefferson missed nearly half the season with a hamstring strain. He spoke frequently this offseason about preparing his body for the duration of the season, and really, until last season, injuries had not affected his career. The Vikings’ schedule does not get easier with the Texans, Packers and Jets forthcoming, and although Minnesota has faith in Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield Sr. and Trishton Jackson, it is still without Addison and T.J. Hockenson, who are rehabbing ankle and knee injuries, respectively. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Minnesota defense looking legitimate
The Vikings’ defense stood the test Sunday against a vaunted 49ers offense. Minnesota does not win the game if not for a group of unheralded players such as Blake Cashman, Patrick Jones II, Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward and Ivan Pace Jr. impacting the game, and making it mayhem for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said earlier this week that it would not get tougher the San Francisco’s offense, and that his defense would have to play physically and violently to win the game. The Vikings did that, limiting the 49ers to 17 points, sacking Purdy five times and forcing a critical interception deep in San Francisco’s territory. — Lewis
49ers couldn’t contain Jefferson
The 49ers looked silly in trying to cover Jefferson with a pair of safeties, neither of whom is known for his speed, in the second quarter. The play ended in a 97-yard touchdown that’s bound to be the most replayed play of the week. But it wasn’t the only time the 49ers had trouble in the secondary on Sunday.
They had a hard time figuring out the Vikings’ bunch formations throughout the afternoon as one receiver from the bunch invariably broke open for an easy catch. Cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Ji’Ayir Brown obviously weren’t on the same page on Jalen Nailor’s 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter on which there were no 49ers even close to the receiver. For two series after the Jefferson touchdown, the 49ers removed starting safety George Odum and replaced him with rookie Malik Mustapha. The result of all that tumult? A strong – and sometimes easy – outing for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who finished 17 of 26 for 268 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. — Matt Barrows, 49ers beat writer
San Francisco pass game not in top form
The 49ers had a well-designed touchdown throw to George Kittle in the second quarter in which Kittle started out as a blocker. But that easy throw was the exception for Purdy.
Nearly every other attempt was contested as Purdy finished with 319 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one attempt in which he lost the grip on the football and it landed in the lap of a Vikings defender. Part of the problem is that his favorite target, Brandon Aiyuk, is still rounding into form after missing all of spring and summer practices due to a contract dispute.
While the Vikings’ top receiver, Jefferson, had 133 receiving yards at halftime, Aiyuk had 2 receiving yards. He warmed up a bit in the second half and finished with 43 receiving yards but clearly is still trying to rediscover his 2023 connection with Purdy. The other problem was the Vikings defense, which for the second straight season tough on Purdy. He threw two interceptions against them in last year’s loss, too. — Barrows
Required reading
(Photo: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)
