The San Francisco 49ers played their first playoff game at Levi’s Stadium with Kyle Shanahan making his career playoff debut as head coach on Saturday afternoon as they faced the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. The 49ers, coming off of a bye week with nearly a completely healthy roster, were favored to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Most predicted it would be a close game, decided in the final plays of the game, but it was decided pretty early San Francisco would advance.
The game started with Minnesota receiving the ball and the Vikings went three-and-out in the opening drive. San Francisco converted their opening drive into the first touchdown of the game after Jimmy Garoppolo connected with Kendrick Bourne for the three-yard touchdown catch. Robbie Gould kicked the extra point and the 49ers had the first points on the board, 7-0.
🕺@BournePoly11 getting the party started#BeLegendary pic.twitter.com/s9gDl2bGx0
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2020
The Vikings answered in their next drive after Kirk Cousins threw a deep 41-yard pass to Stefon Diggs who took it for the touchdown and tied the game at 7-7 with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. San Francisco went 10 plays in their next drive in which the first quarter ended and the second quarter began, yet they were unable to put any points up and the score remained tied at the end of the first quarter.
Minnesota went three-and-out in their first possession of the second quarter and just like in the first quarter, San Francisco opened with a touchdown in their opening drive. This time, Tevin Coleman rushed the ball one yard and Gould kicked the extra point to take the lead, 14-7, with five-and-a-half minutes on the clock.
The Vikings again went three-and-out, but in the following 49ers possession, Eric Kendricks intercepted Garoppolo’s pass, resulting in the takeaway for the Vikings. Minnesota capitalized on the interception when Dan Bailey kicked a field goal from 39 yards out and closed the lead to only four points, 14-10; this would remain the score at halftime.
The 49ers had possession of the ball to start the second half of the game and ended the drive with a 35-yard field goal kick by Gould, extending the lead to 17-10. In Minnesota’s opening drive, Richard Sherman intercepted a pass Cousins intended for Thielen and the 49ers’ offense returned to the field less than a minute after they exited.
That's what happens when you throw at @RSherman_25 😏#WPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/uiLO6gwnvC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2020
San Francisco capitalized on the turnover with another rushing touchdown by Coleman, this time from two yards out, and the lead was extended to 14 points, 24-10.
Anotha one!!
That's how you capitalize @Teco_Raww 💨#MINvsSF pic.twitter.com/lfVjQ0x4gX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2020
Both teams went three-and-out in their next possession, which would have been the first time for San Francisco, but on the punt, Marcus Sherels fumbled the catch, Raheem Mostert recovered the ball at the Minnesota ten-yard line, and San Francisco retained the ball and another possession. The third quarter ended within a minute and the 49ers kept the lead and possession of the ball going into the final quarter, 24-10.
San Francisco started the fourth quarter with a third-and-goal play but couldn’t score on the next play, so Gould came out onto the field and put the ball through the posts for another field goal from 21 yards out and the lead was extended by another three points, 27-10. The Vikings went three-and-out yet again in their next drive after Nick Bosa sacked Cousins on third down for a loss of seven. Bosa was slow to rise following the play, but he did get up and reassured the fans he was fine as they roared and chanted “Bosa” in relief.
BOSAAAAAAAAAAA ‼️ @nbsmallerbear takes down Cousins in legendary fashion. pic.twitter.com/SkdYScjvUm
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 11, 2020
Both teams exchanged downs for the next several drives, one of which was San Francisco’s true first three-and-out. The score was the same at the two-minute warning and in the final San Francisco possession, Matt Breida fumbled the ball and Minnesota recovered it, giving them one more chance to put points on the board. However, they were unable to capitalize on the extra possession and the San Francisco 49ers won the game, 27-10.
The 49ers won the home-field advantage for next week’s game as well as an extra day of rest and will face the winner of the Seattle Seahawks versus Green Bay Packers.
Legendary start to the Playoffs ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ainbRmlmfi
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 12, 2020
