Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. 49ers in Divisional Round
Stud: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs was really one of the only bright spots within the Minnesota offense in a game where the Vikings struggled on that side of the ball for the majority of the playoff loss.
A week after having a disappointing showing in a winning effort in the NFC Wild Card Round, Diggs bounced back for Minnesota and provided it with a nice large-yardage play early on in the game to keep pace with San Francisco in the first half of action.
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Diggs finished the game with a team-best 57 yards receiving on two catches, earning a total of five overall targets throughout the contest. He ended up breaking out for a 41-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter to even things up at 7-7 early on at San Francisco.
Dud: Vikings rushing defense
For a bulk of the season leading up to the NFC Divisional Round, Minnesota’s run defense had been one of its strong points while the Vikings pass defense was often viewed as an area they struggled in when facing opposing offenses.
But on Saturday evening against San Francisco, the 49ers put on a clinic on the ground against Minnesota en route to advancing in the postseason. The 49ers finished with a total of 186 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the victory, tallying 47 rushing attempts.
It was somewhat surprising to see Minnesota struggle so much in the running defense on Saturday, as it had been one of its strengths going into the postseason contest.