The Vikings are 24-25-1 all-time in 50 games against the 49ers. In 10 meetings since the turn of the century, Minnesota is 6-4, a run helped by a home win streak that Minnesota will try to extend to eight games Sunday.

Will Ragatz of Minnesota Vikings on SI rewinded Wednesday to recall the past seven trips San Francisco made to the Twin Cities. Here's a wild fact: The 49ers most recent win happened more than 30 years ago.

Ragatz prefaced his article, writing: George H. W. Bush was president and the top song on the charts was "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. The year was 1992. MVP Steve Young and the 49ers came into the Metrodome and overcame an early pick-six to defeat Rich Gannon and the Vikings 20-17.

Since then, the Vikings have won seven straight home games against the 49ers, a streak that will be put on the line this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. Ahead of this exciting Week 2 matchup, in which the defending NFC Champions are six-point road favorites, let's take a trip down memory lane.

In the Vikings win that initiated their string of fortunes, 49ers Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice was quiet after a 6-yard touchdown from Young. The dual-threat quarterback started 12-for-13 but was forced out of action and replaced by Elvis Grbac. As a team, San Francisco rushed 19 times for 49 yards (2.58 avg.).

Minnesota's best offensive output in the streak occurred the next time San Francisco trekked north, five years later, winning 40-16. Vikings quarterback Jeff George outdueled 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia.

In 2003, Vikings Legend Randy Moss electrified with eight catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns. He was on the receiving end of 15-, 35- and 59-yard scoring passes from Gus Frerotte. Nate Burleson also contributed a 22-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Garcia tossed three interceptions in the 35-7 defeat.

Does Sept. 27, 2009, ring a bell? Vikings 27, 49ers 24. Ragatz reminds us.

With just 12 seconds on the clock, Brett Favre evaded a 49ers defender and fired a bullet to Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone for a game-winning touchdown [with two seconds remaining]. It was the only TD reception Lewis had in a Vikings uniform, but it'll be a moment fans talk about forever. That 2009 season was quite the ride. This win also included the first of five career kick return touchdowns by a rookie named Percy Harvin.

In 2012 – and 2023 – the Vikings prevailed against 49ers teams that advanced to the Super Bowl. Most Valuable Player Adrian Peterson keyed the first, and Camryn Bynum's (two interceptions) and Jordan Addison's (two touchdowns) heroic efforts fueled the second.

San Francisco suffered its first loss at U.S. Bank Stadium in the 2018 season opener.

Will the Vikings keep their streak alive Sunday?

Check out the full article here.

The Sam "Darnoldssance"

Colt McCoy overlapped in 2017-19 with Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell when the latter served for two years as Washington's quarterbacks coach and one as offensive coordinator. Point being, McCoy is knowledgeable of O'Connell's quarterback friendly system. So when he talks, we probably should listen.

The 11-year NFL quarterback McCoy joined Josh Norris of the Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden channel on YouTube to deliver the inaugural 2024 episode of their film-review segment called SCHEME.

"It means everything, right?" McCoy commented on the importance of coaching and environment to a quarterback's success. "It also helps when you have Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, you've got the addition of Aaron Jones, and you have a great left tackle in Christian Darrisaw. But look at this play. …"

McCoy immediately dives into a formation Minnesota deployed Week 1 at New York where Jefferson and Addison were on the same side. They forced the Giants into an adjustment by motioning fullback C.J. Ham from his offset-I stance on the left (with the Vikings receivers) to the right side. It created confusion.

The result was an easy pitch-and-catch for Darnold to tight end Josh Oliver who ran a simple vertical.

The play's success hinged on Ham – the Vikings had a fullback on the field for 25% of Minnesota's offensive plays in Week 1, second only to Dolphins FB Alec Ingold (41%) – and "old-school personnel groupings" with deep-play action under center.

"This is one play where I think you see Darnold getting comfortable and just trusting what Kevin is calling, trusting the scheme and trusting the design," McCoy said of the completion to the low-red area.

That's the trailer version of a video entitled "We've Entered the Sam Darnoldssance," a take on The Renaissance. Watch the rest of the video, which is loaded with insightful commentary from McCoy, to learn about Darnold's efficient first start and why it bodes well for his performance this season.