:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66086292/1198923594.jpg.0.jpg)
After a quick three-and-out by the Vikings, the 49ers took their first possession for an eight-play, 61-yard scoring drive. Minnesota quickly matched them with a Kirk Cousins to Stephon Diggs 41-yard touchdown to tie things up. That touchdown drive gave the Vikings three first downs and got 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon benched. After that touchdown the Vikings had four first downs and scored three more points.
The 49ers absolutely dominated after the Diggs touchdown, as they completely owned the line on both sides of the ball, pressuring Cousins and forcing their will in the run game. The 49ers sacked Cousins six times and pressured him on nearly every drop back.
San Francisco had 186 yards rushing to the Vikings 21 yards. The Vikings ineptitude on the ground comes after Dalvin Cook looked great against a tough 49ers run defense. Cook ended up getting nine carries for 18 yards and catching 6-of-8 targets for eight yards! Cook never had a chance on the ground or through the air against a rested 49ers defense.
Tevin Coleman was thee star on the ground, which came as a surprise after Raheem Mostert had been the lead back to end the season. Coleman rushed 22 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns while Mostert was also good but had 12 attempts for 58 yards.
Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t asked to do much after his touchdown pass on their first drive to Kendrick Bourne, as he ended up completing 11-of-19 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. This game was won in the trenches, as San Francisco pushed the Vikings around all game.