It’s been a long time since the 49ers have been staring two consecutive losses in the face, but that’s where they stand after a 22-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on Monday night.
San Francisco fell behind 10-0 and tried hard to climb back into it, but could never get over the hump to complete the comeback.
Here are some quick takeaways in the immediate aftermath of a mess in Minnesota:
Two-straight losses
The 49ers have taken back-to-back losses in Weeks 6 and 7 for the second consecutive year. Before losing to Cleveland in Week 6 of this season, the 49ers hadn’t lost since the Chiefs routed them at Levi’s Stadium in Week 7 of the 2022 campaign. San Francisco also lost in Week 6 last season when the Falcons downed them in Atlanta. The 49ers’ bounce back from its first loss after a 15-game win streak didn’t go particularly well. Maybe bouncing back from two losses in a row will go better?
Pass rush problem
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins threw the ball 45 times Monday night. He never got sacked and was hit only six times. There were never really any moments where he was made uncomfortable and he calmly delivered virtually every throw he needed to make. He did miss a pair in the red zone that could’ve really turned Monday night into a rout, but beyond that he was essentially perfect. Minnesota won in other areas of the field too, but the 49ers’ pass rush is supposed to be its bread and butter. It wasn’t there for them in any key spots Monday.
3rd-down issues
This one can be tied directly to the lack of a pass rush. Minnesota entered Monday’s game 26th in the NFL in third-down conversion rate at 34.2 percent. They converted 8-of-13 third downs against San Francisco including a huge third-and-6 just before the end of the first half that went for a 60-yard touchdown. Cousins was just way too comfortable and finding open receivers every time the 49ers needed to get off the field. Not getting stops on third downs is a good way to lose a football game.
49ers run game struggles again
Monday night’s game script wasn’t super conducive to running the ball a lot. The 49ers fell behind 10-0 in the second quarter and were fighting uphill the rest of the way. Still, the times they did run produced virtually nothing. Their 21 designed runs went for a paltry 48 yards (2.3 yards per carry). In the last two weeks combined they’ve run 47 times for 173 yards (3.7 yards per carry). Until they figure this out their offense is going to struggle. Fortunately for San Francisco their head coach is one of the best offensive problem solvers in the league.
Brock Purdy's three bad throws
When the 49ers needed their QB to go make a play for them Purdy couldn’t make it happen. He was very good for most of Monday night, but three plays stick out as ones he should’ve made.
His third-and-6 pass to Brandon Aiyuk early in the fourth quarter fell short and led to a long field goal instead of extending a drive that might’ve tied the game. It was on the run and back across his body, but Aiyuk was open and if he’s going to try and make that throw on the run he has to ensure he has enough heat on it.
The second bad one came on the next series when he fired too far in front of WR Jauan Jennings where a Vikings defender was waiting for an easy interception. Perhaps it was a timing issue. Perhaps Purdy just missed the throw. Either way in a five-point game that’s a throw that can’t happen.
Then the final one was the game-sealing interception where Purdy tried layering a throw, on the run, over a safety and in front of a cornerback. It never really had a chance. He tried making a play, but in that spot throwing it away or scrambling would’ve been preferable outcomes to live another down.
Purdy overall wasn’t bad Monday, but he had multiple opportunities to put the team on his back and came up short.
Points off the board
The 49ers in a five point game left at least six points on the field. First, they stole a possession by intercepting the Vikings on Minnesota’s third offensive snap. San Francisco gave it back though when McCaffrey fumbled inside the Vikings’ 15-yard-line. Then on their next possession 49ers kicker Jake Moody missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. Had they at least settled for a field goal on the drive McCaffrey fumbled, and had Moody made both kicks, San Francisco has a chance to sneak out with a one-point win instead.
Kicker still a question
Jake Moody redeemed himself late in Monday’s game by drilling a 54-yarder. Questions around the kicker linger though after he missed a 40-yarder early in the game. He pushed the 40-yard try right, the same way he missed last week’s potential 41-yard game winner. Head coach Kyle Shanahan showed a lot of faith in Moody by trying the field goal in the fourth quarter instead of going for it on fourth-and-6 in an eight-point game. Moody rewarded his coach with a made kick, but it’s hard to have a lot of faith in the rookie given how the last couple games have gone.
No letting up
Things aren’t going to get easier for the 49ers in Week 8. They’ll be on a short week after playing Monday. Meanwhile the Bengals are coming off a bye week and should be fully rested up after looking like they hit their stride in Weeks 5 and 6 heading into the bye. San Francisco has a ton to clean up between Tuesday and next Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
