The 49ers' defense began the game with a three-and-out. The offense started the game with a turnover. Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t see Harrison Smith lurking over the middle of the field.
After a Josh Norman coverage bust that led to a gain of 29, the Vikings would convert a 4th & goal from the two-yard line to go up 7-0. The defense had a chance for a stop, but Jimmie Ward was late to pick Thielen up, and by the time he saw Thielen, it was too late.
San Francisco answered with a scoring drive in under three minutes after Brandon Aiyuk had a 37-yard gain and Elijah Mitchell went for 15 yards.