Before Week 12, the 49ers' defense held their opponents to four scoring drives on 17 possessions in two games. So while the scoreboard for the Vikings said 26, it never felt like the defense was continually getting gashed.
Kirk Cousins only had a 42% success rate, the Vikings couldn’t run the ball, and the only big plays came when the Niners' defense had a mental lapse. On offensive 12 drives, Minnesota scored three times. Minnesota’s first touchdown came when they started at midfield, and their second came after the Niners' offense had a three-and-out.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said on Thursday, “you’re either avoiding third down, or you’re not.