In a wire-to-wire victory at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Addison connected twice with Kirk Cousins, the quarterback of the Vikings. Cousins, reflecting on the win, remarked, “It’s emblematic of team football, with numerous players making remarkable contributions.”
Cousins astutely observed, “The NFL is a demanding league, where the outcome can pivot on a single play or a solitary moment. On this occasion, we successfully navigated these challenges, and it’s imperative that we sustain this momentum.” Notably, Cousins demonstrated his prowess, amassing 378 passing yards from 35-of-45 attempts and orchestrating two touchdowns.
Despite being touted as Super Bowl contenders, the 49ers endured their second consecutive setback following their recent loss to Cleveland, bringing their record to 5-2. In contrast, Minnesota’s triumph improved their standing to 3-4.
Arriving in Minneapolis with a resolute determination to rebound from their defeat against the Browns. The 49ers faced adversity due to the absence of two key players, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams, sidelined by injuries. An auspicious start seemed imminent for San Francisco, marked by an interception on Minnesota’s opening drive.
However, the Vikings responded tenaciously, causing a pivotal fumble by Niners running back Christian McCaffrey. This led to a transformative 10-play, 89-yard drive that culminated in Cousins finding Addison for a pivotal touchdown. A 21-yard field goal by Greg Joseph early in the second quarter extended Minnesota’s lead to 10-0.
McCaffrey, eager to atone for his earlier blunder. Redeemed himself with a well-earned touchdown, narrowing the deficit to a mere three points. Just before halftime, the Vikings delivered another blow when Addison, with a display of exceptional physicality. Outmatched Niners cornerback Charvarius Ward, securing his second touchdown of the night, establishing a halftime score of 16-7.
The Vikings further solidified their position with two additional field goals from Joseph, sandwiched between another McCaffrey touchdown. Going into the final quarter, Minnesota maintained a 22-14 advantage.
A 55-yard field goal by Niners kicker Jake Moody at the outset of the fourth quarter closed the gap to five points, setting the stage for a suspenseful climax. However, Minnesota missed an opportunity to secure an eight-point lead with just over a minute remaining when Joseph’s 50-yard field goal attempt veered wide right.
This afforded the 49ers one last opportunity to orchestrate a game-winning drive. But, alas, Brock Purdy’s attempt to locate Raymond McCloud ended in the clutches of Vikings safety Camryn Bynum. Who secured his second interception of the contest, effectively sealing the outcome.
