NFL Week 7 Game Recap: Minnesota Vikings 22, San Francisco 49ers 17

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins put on arguably the best prime-time performance of his career, completing 35 of his 45 attempts for 378 yards (8.4 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and one interception.

The Vikings quarterback did this despite being down several top pass-catchers for stretches of this game — not only was superstar wideout Justin Jefferson out, but first-round rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison missed time with cramps, as did tight end T.J. Hockenson with some nicks and bruises. 

The San Francisco 49ers pass rush was virtually non-existent, and Brock Purdy’s turnover-worthy play regression finally hit, as he threw two ugly interceptions late to seal this one.

Offensive spotlight: 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk stepped up in the absence of Deebo Samuel throughout the first half, hauling in five receptions for 56 yards and forcing a missed tackle, but was held without a catch in the second half.

Tight end George Kittle stepped up with five receptions for 78 yards and a contested catch, but it wasn’t enough late. Running back Christian McCaffrey scored twice, setting the record for most consecutive games with an offensive touchdown (16).

On first review, no Vikings lineman allowed more than two quarterback pressures, and the unit surrendered just one hit on quarterback Kirk Cousins, who didn't take a single sack on 45 dropbacks. Tight end T.J. Hockenson added 11 receptions for 86 yards and kept Minnesota on schedule throughout the second half. Last but certainly not least, speedster Brandon Powell made several huge grabs late, finishing with 64 yards on four receptions.

Defensive spotlight: On first review, the 49ers registered a pass rush win rate of just 15.6%, which would be their lowest mark since 2017 if it holds.

All of their off-ball linebackers made plays throughout the night. Oren Burks logged two defensive stops in coverage, while Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw combined for 10 more. However, Kirk Cousins had way too much time and routinely delivered. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, edge defender Nick Bosa, had one pass rush win on 40 snaps on first review. 

Vikings edge defender Danielle Hunter has been a rumored trade deadline candidate, but those talks are likely over, with Hunter registering a 20.7% pass-rush win rate and adding another sack to his league-leading tally of nine on the year. Safety Camryn Bynum had two interceptions of Brock Purdy to close this game out in dramatic fashion.

Rookie spotlight: 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody missed another field goal from 40 yards out in the first half but bounced back with a 55-yard boot in the second half to draw the game within five points.

Vikings first-round rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison started his night by getting the ball ripped out of his hands by 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward for an interception, but he bounced back in a major way with seven receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns, with one score coming on a contested catch where he returned the favor and ripped the ball out of Ward’s hands.

Box Score

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Receiving