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Ranking the 5 most important games on 49ers' 2024 schedule

From prime time, to renewing rivalries, to playoff implications, these are the five most important games for the 49ers in 2024.

By Nathan Bannerman

NFC Championship - Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers
NFC Championship - Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers / Michael Zagaris/GettyImages
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No. 2 Minnesota Vikings vs 49ers in Week 2

George Kittle
San Francisco 49ers v Minnesota Vikings / Ryan Kang/GettyImages

In Week 2, the 49ers will take on a Vikings squad without Kirk Cousins for the first time since 2017.

When head coach Kyle Shanahan came to San Francisco, everyone figured Cousins would find his way over. Former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was just average and many media outlets, and potentially Shanahan, thought Cousins could take the 49ers to the promised land.

It never panned out, now the Niners have Purdy and a brighter future.

As previously stated, the Vikings handed the 49ers one of their five losses last season. Minnesota has a seven-game home winning streak vs San Francisco dating back to 1994.

Purdy's old backup Sam Darnold will try his hand at starting for the Vikings. As the second-string in San Francisco, Darnold put up respectable numbers with a 60.9 completion percentage, two touchdowns and one interception. He was expected to steady the ship in case a serious injury happened to Purdy again.