Vikings-49ers Game Observations

MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings switched their approach to their backup quarterbacks on Saturday night, but the offense sputtered multiple times, regardless of who was playing QB in a 17-7 loss to the 49ers.

Minnesota started second-year pro Kellen Mond, who played nearly all of the first quarter, before veteran Sean Mannion entered the game and played the entire second quarter.

Mond went 6-for-10 in the first quarter for 43 yards. He was picked off by George Odum to end Minnesota's opening drive that had started with promise. Mond's passer rating in the first quarter was 30.4.

Mannion was 9-for-11 in the second quarter for 59 yards and a passer rating of 89.0.

The Vikings split reps between Mond and Mannion in the third and fourth quarters.

Mond finished 10-of-20 passing for 82 yards with two total interceptions and a passer rating of 21.2.

Mannion ended 10-for-15 with 65 yards and a passer rating of 75.7.

Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a scoring summary:

1. Resting on the work done this week

The Vikings announced before the game that following players were not expected to play:

3 CB Cameron Dantzler, Sr., 4 RB Dalvin Cook, 7 CB Patrick Peterson, 8 QB Kirk Cousins, 17 WR K.J. Osborn, 18 WR Justin Jefferson, 19 WR Adam Thielen, 22 S Harrison Smith, 24 S Camryn Bynum, 30 FB C.J. Ham, 39 CB Chandon Sullivan, 54 LB Eric Kendricks, 55 OLB Za'Darius Smith, 56 C Garrett Bradbury, 62 OL Chris Reed, 71 T Christian Darrisaw, 72 G Ezra Cleveland, 73 G Jesse Davis, 75 T Brian O'Neill, 78 DL Jullian Taylor, 84 TE Irv Smith, Jr., 85 WR Dan Chisena, 86 TE Johnny Mundt, 94 DL Dalvin Tomlinson, 97 DL Harrison Phillips and 99 OLB Danielle Hunter

The 49ers announced a list of 27 players who were not expected to play.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan clearly were pleased with the amount of work their starters put forth and the tasks accomplished during the teams' joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday before the game.