Justin Jefferson hauls in 97-yard score as Vikings down 49ers

Sam Darnold completed 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and the Minnesota Vikings held on for a 23-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. Justin Jefferson caught four passes for 133 yards, including a career-long 97-yard touchdown, to lead Minnesota (2-0). Jalen Nailor also had a touchdown reception. Brock Purdy completed 28 of 36 passes for 319 yards, one touchdown and one interception for San Francisco (1-1). Jordan Mason rushed 20 times for 100 yards and a touchdown in his second game in place of injured starter Christian McCaffrey. Minnesota improved to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2016. Jefferson and 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa both limped off the field after they were injured on the same play in the third quarter. Bosa returned to the game in the fourth quarter, but Jefferson did not return after his injury. The Vikings led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter and 13-7 at halftime. Jefferson put Minnesota on top 10-0 with 9:35 remaining in the second quarter. He got behind the 49ers secondary, caught a deep ball from Darnold in stride, changed direction and streaked toward the right corner of the end zone for a 97-yard score. The 49ers pulled within 10-7 when Purdy connected with George Kittle for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:53 to go in the half. Will Reichard drilled a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the half to make it 13-7. The Vikings provided the only touchdown of the third quarter after Purdy's lone interception set up the home team at the San Francisco 10-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Darnold maintained the pressure against his former team by hitting Nailor for a 10-yard score to increase Minnesota's lead to 20-7. The 49ers tried to play catch-up but failed to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Mason brought San Francisco within 20-14 on a 10-yard touchdown with 10:16 to go, capping a 12-play, 99-yard drive. Reichard gave the Vikings breathing room with a 27-yard field goal with 3:30 remaining. Down by two scores, the 49ers settled for a 31-yard field goal by Jake Moody to cut the deficit to 23-17 with 1:12 to play. San Francisco tried an onside kick but did not recover, and Darnold kneeled twice to run out the clock. --Field Level Media