Vikings hold on to beat niners in season opener

The Minnesota Vikings held on today to beat the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 24-16 in the season and home opener.

Final: Vikings 24 49ers 16

Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 20/36 244 yds 2 TD 95.1 Rating
RB:
L. Murray 11 car 42 yds 3.8 avg 
D. Cook 16 car 40 yds 2.5 avg 1 fumble
K. Cousins 4 car 26 yds 6.5 avg
WR:
A. Thielen 6 rec 102 yds 0 TD
D. Cook 6 rec 55 yds 0 TD
S. Diggs 3 rec 43 yds 1 TD
L. Treadwell 2 rec 18 yds 0 TD
K. Rudolph 1 car 11 yds 1 TD
DEF:
H. Smith 1 int 1 recovery
M. Hughes 1 int 1 TD
K:
D. Carlson 1/1 FG (48) 3/3 XP

San Francisco:
QB:
J. Garoppolo 15/33 261 yds 1 TD 3 INT 45.1 Rating
RB:
M. Breida 11 car 46 yds 4.2 avg
A. Morris 12 car 38 yds 3.2 avg
WR:
G. Kittle 5 rec 90 yds 0 TD
D. Pettis 2 rec 61 yds 1 TD
P. Garcon 2 yds 21 yds 0 TD
K:
R. Gould 3/3 FG 1/1 XP

Game Summary:
The Vikings as a whole played really well this game. They started out hot and marched down past the 50. But then the drive stalled and they punted. Dalvin Cook started out with around 30 total yards just off the first couple drives. Thielen and Diggs had some great catches in the first half, the offense just couldn't get to the endzone a lot in the first half. On the bright side rookie kicker Carlson hit his first regular season field goal from 48 yards! The second half was a different story. The first half was mostly a tale of 2 defenses, the second had some more points. Kyle Rudolph had a TD in the second half on a connection from Kirk Cousins. The other TD was a pick six from rookie corner Mike Hughes, that is his first interception and TD of his NFL career! Also he is the first Vikings player to ever have their first interception and TD on opening day!
Overall, a win is a win, but definitely looking for improvement next week in Green Bay. Dalvin Cook needs to get more involved and stop fumbling. 

NFC North Update
I will do these division updates periodically throughout the year, they may change to NFC updates depending on the standings. Obviously at the moment no one has played many games so there isn't much to the standings. The Vikings are currently on top at (1-0). The Bears play at the Packers tonight (SNF) and the Lions play in tomorrow night's MNF double-header.

Injury Report
While C Pat Eflein did not play this week he is still on track to have a shot at playing next week. CB Mackenzie Alexander did not play today and Mike Hughes took his place and had a great day. Expect Alexander to play next Sunday.

Up Next
The Vikings will now travel across the Wisconsin border for the first border battle of the year vs. the Packers. It will be quite the game so definitely tune in! Kickoff is next Sunday, September 16th at noon Central time.

​SKOL Vikings!