In the 2024 home opener, the Minnesota Vikings gave the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd of 66,741 lots to cheer about, defeating the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers 23-17. The victory marked Minnesota’s second victory over San Francisco in as many years, both coming in Minneapolis.
The Vikings snatched momentum early after blocking a 49er punt on the game’s third drive, leading to the game’s first points on a Will Reichard 22-yard field goal.
Minnesota’s defense made an early stand on the next drive, turning San Francisco’s offense over at the Minnesota two-yard line. Just two plays later, Sam Darnold would hit Justin Jefferson on a 97-yard touchdown pass, marking the longest offensive play in U.S. Bank Stadium’s history, and the second longest in Vikings history.
The Vikings and 9ers would trade a field goal and touchdown into the halftime break, and Minnesota would take a 13-7 lead into the locker rooms.
A Josh Metellus interception deep in San Francisco territory would lead to Darnold’s second touchdown pass of the game, a 10-yarder to Jalen Nailor to extend the Vikings lead to 13 at 20-7 with 6:49 to play in the third quarter.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy would lead a touchdown drive to cut the lead back to six with 10:16 to go, however Minnesota would march back down the field, punctuating the drive with another Reichard field goal to extend the lead back to two scores with 3:30 to play.
San Francisco would respond with a field goal; however Minnesota would recover the ensuing onside kick to seal the victory.
The story of the game was the Vikings defense, as Brian Flores’ unit would force two San Francisco turnovers, and two more turnovers on downs. The Vikings sacked Purdy six times, the most in his career.
Linebacker Blake Cashman led the way for the Vikings defensively with 13 total tackles and a sack to go along with three pass deflections. Fourth year linebacker Pat Jones II sacked Purdy twice.
On the offensive side, Darnold racked up 286 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Ty Chandler led the way on the ground, rushing for 82 yards on only 10 carries.
Justin Jefferson reeled in four catches for 133 yards to go along with a touchdown, though he did leave the game due to injury. Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters it was only a quad contusion, and Jefferson was already “up and moving” postgame.
The Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis next week to host C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans in Stefon Diggs’ first game back in Minnesota since being traded in 2020.
Kickoff is set for noon on Sunday, September 22.
Noon Window Recap
Packers 16, Colts 10
- Without Jordan Love, Green Bay was able to hold off Indianapolis on the backs of their defense, who picked off Anthony Richardson three times and held the Colts to just 2-9 on third down. Running back Josh Jacobs ran wild for 151 yards for Green Bay, while Love’s back up Malik Willis controlled the game, going 12-14 for 122 yards and throwing his first career touchdown pass.
Buccaneers 20, Lions 16
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers avenged their postseason loss last season at the hands of the Lions, defeating Detroit 20-16 at Ford Field. Though Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw for over 300 yards, the Bucs defense intercepted him twice and forced an interception and back-to-back turnovers on downs on the Lion’s final three drives.
Raiders 26, Ravens 23
- Behind a 10-point fourth quarter comeback, the Las Vegas Raiders picked up their first win of the season in Baltimore against the Ravens. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 30 of his 38 passes, while Davante Adams reeled in nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Carlson’s game-winning field goal split the sticks with 27 seconds to go, and the Raiders defense held Baltimore out of field goal range on the ensuing drive to secure the win.
Saints 44, Cowboys 19
- In arguably the most impressive performance of the season to this point, the New Orleans Saints walked into AT&T Stadium in Arlington and dominated the Cowboys behind four total touchdowns from running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara, who ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns added on a 57-yard touchdown reception as well.
Seahawks 23, Patriots 20 (OT)
- Seattle used 100-yard receiving performances from DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to eke past New England in Foxborough for an overtime victory. Seattle only rushed for 46 yards on 19 carries, but Geno Smith threw for 327 yards and engineered both the game-tying and game-winning drives in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Jets 24, Titans 17
- Aaron Rodgers picked up his first career victory as the Jets signal-caller behind two touchdown passes and a defense that forced two turnovers. Despite being outgained, the Jets’ defense clamped down in the second half, forcing back-to-back three-and-outs, before forcing a turnover on downs from inside their own 10-yard line in the game’s final minute.
Commanders 21, Giants 18
- Second overall pick Jayden Daniels led the Commanders to their first win of the season, completing nearly 80% of his passes for 226 yards, and leading Washington on a game-winning drive that ended in a field goal on the final play of the game. Giants first-round pick Malik Nabers flashed for the G-Men, grabbing 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Chargers 26, Panthers 3
- The Panthers’ rough start to the season continued, as the Los Angeles Chargers coasted to victory in Charlotte, 26-3. LA running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, while the defense held Carolina to only 159 total yards of offense.
Browns 18, Jaguars 13
- Cleveland used a strong defensive performance to win their first game of the season in Jacksonville over the Jaguars, 18-13. The Browns’ defense held Trevor Lawrence to under 50% completion and had four different players sack Lawrence. Cleveland’s offense also converted all three of their fourth-down conversions.
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