49ers cruise past Vikings as Sherman-led defense dominates, Coleman stars on offense
In the second half, the 49ers left no doubt.
After a tight first half, San Francisco blew their NFC playoff game open in the second half Saturday, thumping the Vikings 27-10 to earn a spot in the NFC Championship game next Sunday. They will play the winner of tomorrow’s game between Seattle and Green Bay.
After the 49ers were stopped on third-and-goal, they were forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal with 14:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, which gave them their largest lead of the game at 27-10.
The defense was critical in the second half, allowing few first downs and no points. On the Vikings’ next drive after the field goal, Nick Bosa through with a critical sack on third down to force another punt. On the next Vikings drive, Buckner had another sack which resulted in a loss of eight yards.
When the 49ers needed him most — Tevin Coleman delivered. Coleman rushed for a team high 101 yards on 22 carries and had touchdown runs of 1 and 2 yards. In his last five games before the playoffs, Coleman had 22 carries for 96 yards and no touchdowns.
He was brought in during the offseason by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was Coleman’s coach when he was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Shanahan has experience with using Coleman in the playoffs including in Super Bowl Ll, when he had 35 total yards and a 6-yard receiving touchdown.
The 49ers rushing attack, led by Coleman, had one of their most productive games of the season.
End of 3rd quarter: 49ers 24, Vikings 10
Aided by a pair of third-quarter turnovers, the San Francisco 49ers took a 24-10 lead over the Minnesota Vikings and threatened to extend it as the quarter ended in their NFC playoff game.
The 49ers got the ball to open the second half and made the most of it. An 8 play, 46-yard drive was capped by a 35-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.
On the ensuing possession, Richard Sherman intercepted Kirk Cousins. Nick Bosa on Sherman’s return committed a personal foul penalty that brought the ball back to the Vikings 43-yard line.
But an eight-play, 44-yard drive by the 49ers was capped by another touchdown run from Tevin Coleman from 2 yards out. That extended the 49ers’ lead to 24-10.
After a Vikings punt, the 49ers were also forced to punt. On the punt to Ameer Abdullah, it was muffed and recovered by Raheem Mostert. The 49ers started the fourth quarter with the ball at the Vikings’ 4-yard line.
End of 2nd quarter: 49ers 14, Vikings 10
The San Francisco 49ers held a 14-10 lead at halftime of their playoff game with the Minnesota Vikings after a late turnover gave the Vikings a chance to kick a field goal.
The 49ers opened the second quarter on defense and elected to sub cornerback Emmanuel Moseley in for Ahkello Witherspoon after he gave up a 41-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs on the Vikings’ second drive.
On the first play from scrimmage in second quarter, 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead registered his 11th sack of the season and first since the Green Bay Packers game in Week 12. That drive resulted in a three-and-out.
The Vikings forced a fumble from 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel with 10:42 left in the half, but the play was reviewed and replay showed Samuel’s knee was down. Five plays later, 49ers running back Tevin Coleman scored from 1 yard out.
After a Minnesota three-and-out, the 49ers got the ball back inside their 10-yard line. After picking up a first down on a quarterback sneak, Garoppolo threw an interception to Vikings All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks.
The Vikings started the drive at the 49ers 29-yard line, but a sack by Dee Ford forced Minnesota to settle for a 39-yard field goal.
San Francisco took a knee to end the half.
End of 1st quarter: 49ers 7, Vikings 7
The Levi’s Stadium crowd was active early in the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings. The teams traded touchdowns early in the first quarter and the game was tied 7-7 headed into the second quarter.
A red-clad roar from 49ers fans started after the National Anthem ended and carried over to both teams’ opening drives.
The 49ers won the opening toss and deferred, giving the Vikings the ball first. Minnesota’s first drive three-and-out first drive.
After the Vikings punt, the 49ers got favorable field position resulting in an 8 play, 61 yard drive which resulted in a 3-yard touchdown from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. On the opening drive, Garoppolo was 5-for-6 for 57 yards.
On the ensuing drive, the Vikings responded with a seven-play, 79-yard drive capped by a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
On the last drive of the quarter, Vikings’ defensive lineman Danielle Hunter sacked Garoppolo for a loss of 9 yards and after a Garoppolo scrambled for no gain, the 49ers started the second quarter in punt formation.
This story was originally published January 11, 2020 at 2:09 PM.