SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 2019 Vikings season grinded to a halt Saturday against the 49ers in a 27-10 loss that was most-impacted by the ground game.
Minnesota never led, failed to get its run game rolling and was unable to establish a rhythm. A Vikings squad that ranked sixth in the NFL with 133.6 rushing yards a game in the regular season was limited to 21 yards on 10 carries.
The No. 6 seed was unable to pull a road upset for the second time in a seven-day span.
Top-seeded San Francisco totaled 186 yards on 47 carries, effectively hogging the football for more than two-thirds of the game and advancing to the NFC Championship.
The 49ers used a dose of run, run, repeat in taking control of the game in the third quarter.
The rushing average was 4.5 for San Francisco, thanks to 26 gains of 4 or more yards. The 49ers had 12 such runs in the third quarter alone and six more in the fourth.
That was plenty enough to help Jimmy Garoppolo win his first postseason start. Garoppolo completed 11 of 19 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown an interception and a passer rating of 74.7.
He started 5-for-6 with 57 yards and the score on the opening drive and had just six completions the rest of the way.
His counterpart, Kirk Cousins, finished 21-of-29 passing for 172 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a passer rating of 84.3.
Cousins connected with Stefon Diggs on a 41-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 in the first quarter, but it was all downhill for Minnesota the rest of the way.
Cousins was sacked six times, and Cook was limited to 26 yards from scrimmage on 15 total touches.
The Vikings trailed 14-10 at the half, despite lagging in significant categories.
San Francisco had 14 first downs, compared to four for Minnesota and outgained the Vikings 159 to 83.
The 49ers limited the Vikings to 14 rushing yards in the opening half while gaining 63 on the ground.
Scoring summary
Q1, 9:30 remaining
49ers 7, Vikings 0
Kendrick Bourne catches a 3-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Robbie Gould kicks PAT) [8 plays, 61 yards, 4:11 time of possession]
Crisp start: Garoppolo was 5-for-6 passing (one drop) for 57 yards on the opening possession of his first postseason start.
Q1, 5:23 remaining
49ers 7, Vikings 7
Stefon Diggs catches a 41-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kicks PAT) [7 plays, 79 yards, 4:07 time of possession]
Tandem strikes on third downs: The Vikings converted a third-and-2 with a 12-yard pass to Adam Thielen before taking the shot to Diggs on another third-and-2.
Q2, 7:10 remaining
49ers 14, Vikings 7
Tevin Coleman rushes for a 1-yard touchdown (Gould kicks PAT) [10 plays, 53 yards, 5:35]
Almost had it: A play that was initially ruled a forced fumble by Eric Kendricks and recovery by Harrison Smith was overturned after review because Deebo Samuel's knee was down before the ball popped free.
Q2, 0:31 remaining
49ers 14, Vikings 10
Bailey kicks a 39-yard field goal [6 plays, 8 yards, 2:10 time of possession]
A make but a missed opportunity: The Vikings were unable to fully capitalize on a golden opportunity created by Eric Kendricks' first career postseason interception.
Q3, 10:42 remaining
49ers 17, Vikings 10
Gould kicks a 35-yard field goal [9 plays, 46 yards, 4:18]
Big conversion: Bourne converted a third-and-5 with a 21-yard reception.
Q3, 4:54 remaining
49ers 24, Vikings 10
Coleman rushes for a 2-yard touchdown (Gould kicks PAT) [8 plays, 44 yards, 4:55]
Ground and pound: The 49ers ran the ball eight consecutive times, gaining at least 4 on every carry until the score.
Q4, 14:13 remaining
49ers 27, Vikings 10
Gould kicks a 21-yard field goal [4 plays, 7 yards, 1:52]
Stopped short: Harrison Smith stopped a shovel pass to George Kittle on third-and-goal to force the field goal
