This game figured to be a tight one, as San Francisco sported a 15-2 record and Minnesota a 17-0 record entering the game. Both teams had won handily in the first round of the playoffs. The 2 teams had matched up in the regular season as well, a game that the Vikings had won largely because of a rare off day for Joe Montana.
In this game, the 49ers struck first. On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Montana hit Rice on a 31-yard bomb. SF drove down the field, seemingly stalling out on a 4th and 3 from the Minnesota 15. However, Viking S Joey Browner was called for pass interference. The 49ers capitalized, as Tom Rathman scored from the 1 to make it 7-0 49ers.
The Vikings answered, as Wade Wilson completed 3 consecutive passes to 3 different receivers, culminating in a Steve Jordan touchdown reception. 7-7.
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| Wade Wilson |
49ers punted on next drive, and then the Vikings fumbled the ball on the 49er 49 yard line. 7 plays later Montana hit Rice for a 24 yard TD. 49ers 14-7.
Vikings answered again, as a mixture of passes and runs culminated in an Alfred Anderson TD plunge from 1 yard out. 14-14.
49ers drove for a field goal in their next possession for a 17-14 lead. Vikings punted on their next drive, then Montana connected with John Taylor for a 54-yard TD strike that gave the Niners a 24-14 lead with :41 left in the 2nd Quarter.
Wade Wilson hit on 3 straight passes to put the Vikings in long field goal range, and the Chris Nelson boot was good with 2 seconds left in the half. Niners 24-17.
After another Vikings 4 and out to start the 3rd Quarter, the 49ers drove down to the Vikings 10 yard line before settling for another Mike Cofer FG. 27-17. The Vikings, with their season slipping away, went on an 80-yard, 8:37 minute drive capped by a Wilson to Darrin Nelson TD pass. Niners led at this point 27-24.
The 2 teams then exchanged punts, but on the Vikings punt John Taylor returned it for a TD. Boom, Niners 34-24.
Vikings took over on their own 13 with 9:05 left in the game. The Vikes saddled up the running game to advance near mid field, but faced a 4th and 11 with only 5:50 left in the game. Wade Wilson rose to the occasion with a 15 yard pass to Hassan Jones, and the Vikings still had a chance. Wilson drove the Vikes to the Niner 1 yard line, when another Alfred Anderson TD run narrowed the Niner lead to 34-31 with 4:18 left.
The Vikings recovered the ensuing kickoff, and drove down to the 49er 1 yard line with 1:22 left. Alfred Anderson ran it in for his 3rd TD of the game, and the Vikings took the lead for the first time at 38-34.That is how the game would end, as a Baker sack of Montana essentially put the game out of reach.
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