Vikings vs. 49ers third quarter thread: Second half adjustments will be key

If the Vikings’ plan coming in was to play keep away, then they passed with flying colors. On their third drive, Minnesota had an 18-play drive for 67 yards. The 49ers were fortunate to have an offensive pass interference called on the drive. The defense kept Cousins out of the end zone to make the score 10-0 after Fred Warner got his hand on a pass.

Purdy found Aiyuk for a gain of 25 yards on the next drive. Jennings also caught a 10-yard pass, and the Niners offense was in Vikings’ territory after a handful of plays.

Shanahan pulled a rabit out of his hat after McCaffrey picked up eight yards on 3rd & 1. He called a tight end screen to Ross Dwelley that picked up 12 yards, bringing the 49ers inside the Vikings 10.

For the 16th game in a row, McCaffrey found the end zone. That’s a record for touchdowns from scrimmage. That made it 10-7 with just over a minute remaining before the half. And with the 49ers getting the ball to start the third quarter, the defense faced a critical stop.

On 3rd & 6, with 17 seconds to play, Steve Wilks elected to blitz six defenders and play with zero help in the secondary behind it. Ward appeared to have his second interception, but it was Addison this time who wrestled the ball away. He raced to the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a commanding 16-7 halftime lead.