49ers vs. Vikings: Highlights, game tracker for Week 1

The San Francisco 49ers faced the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 9 in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season. Here are highlights from the game.

Last season, the San Francisco 49ers finished the year off with a five-game winning streak. They were just 6-10 on the season but 5-0 down the stretch with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Now the starter in Week 1 for the Niners, he takes his team to Minneapolis for a Week 1 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings fared much better than San Francisco last season, finishing with a 13-3 record. They then headed to the NFC Championship game but fell short in their bid to be the first team to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium.

New Minnesota addition Kirk Cousins’ day didn’t get started off the greatest as he felt pressure from San Francisco’s defense early on. However, he was able to lead his new team to an early field goal and subsequent lead. After a big defensive stand, he then found one Stefon Diggs for a touchdown to take a 10-0 lead.

The 49ers managed to get a field goal on the board and, after forcing a fumble from Dalvin Cook, seemed primed to score again as they were driving. Unfortunately, they then registered a costly fumble of their own, which ultimately took them into the half trailing 10-3.

A drive ending in a punt was in order for each team right out of the gate, but then the Vikings defense got a huge play from a rookie. First-round pick Mike Hughes jumped in front of a Jimmy Garoppolo pass and took it to the house to increase Minnesota’s lead. That jump-started some scoring as San Fran hit a field goal, which was answered by a Cousins pass to Kyle Rudolph in the end zone. The Niners responded with a long drive and a score of their own as Jimmy G found Dante Pettis.

Things somewhat stalled for both teams from there, particularly for the 49ers as Garoppolo tossed two late interceptions. That allowed the Vikings to take it home and finish with a season-opening win.

Highlights

Kirk Cousins found Stefon Diggs for his first touchdown as the Vikings quarterback and to take a 10-0 lead.

49ers rookie linebacker Fred Warner reclaimed a big play, punching the ball loose from Dalvin Cook and allowing Richard Sherman to get the recovery.

Just when it looked like San Francisco might tie things up just before halftime, the Minnesota defense came up huge to force and recover a fumble.

Rookie Mike Hughes kept Minnesota in control with a monstrous pick-six.

Minnesota then kept it going on the next drive after San Fran added a field goal, this time with Cousins finding tight end Kyle Rudolph.

The Niners answered quickly with a seven-play drive that ended with a beautiful pass to Dante Pettis.

Hype surrounds both these teams, but which is going to live up to the hype? We might not find out enough with the Week 1 clash between the 49ers and Vikings, but they have plenty left to show everyone in the 2018 season.