49ers dominate and eliminate Vikings in divisional round
After a dominant regular season, could the San Francisco 49ers back it up in the playoffs? After a powerful 27-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, they’ve shown they’re the team to beat in the NFC.
The San Francisco 49ers had as good of a start as you could have wanted in this game. After forcing Minnesota into a quick punt, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo methodically threw the 49ers down the field before a quick strike to receiver Kendrick Bourne gave the 49ers a 7-0 lead early.
Minnesota responded. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins started picking on struggling cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, and drove down the field to throw a lofted pass to Stefon Diggs to make it 7-7.
After that, the defenses for both teams dug in. The 49ers had a drive stall at midfield, while the Vikings were unable to get anything going after an Arik Armstead sack put them almost to their own endzone.
The Niners threatened again, but an apparent Deebo Samuel fumble halted what was another promising drive. However the play was overturned when it was apparent his knee was down. The 49ers proceeded to promptly drive down the field before a Tevin Coleman plunge made the score 14-7.
The Vikings had the last say for the half. Garoppolo was picked off when he didn’t see a linebacker fall back into coverage. The defense limited the damage, but the Vikings kicked the field goal to cut it to 14-10 at the half.
The 49ers came out with a good drive in the second half, getting down the field before stalling short of the endzone. Robbie Gould made the kick, and the ball went through to middle to make it 17-10.
The defense came out firing too. Cousins fired the ball right to Richard Sherman, who picked the ball off at midfield. The offense took full advantage, running the ball on every play before Coleman scored his second touchdown of the day to make it 24-10.
The game was effectively put to rest in the closing stages of the third quarter. The Vikings muffed a punt, which Raheem Mostert promptly recovered in field goal range. The 49ers didn’t get the touchdown, but the resulting chip shot field goal made it 27-10.
Next. Do the San Francisco 49ers have an easier path to the Super Bowl?. dark
The defenses took over after that. Cousins couldn’t get going, with the 49ers defensive line having their way after that. Meanwhile the 49ers bled the clock with constant runs in the second half.
The Niners are now in the NFC Championship, and will await the winner of Green Bay-Seattle for the right to get into the Super Bowl.