The San Francisco 49ers were the toast of the NFL three weeks ago after blasting the Dallas Cowboys, with some pundits (not here on this site) questioning if the Niners might even go undefeated.
No one is going undefeated in the NFL in 2023, for sure, and maybe not ever. That’s an opinion and not news, but it’s happened one time (1972 Miami). It almost happened again, with the Tom Brady-Randy Moss Patriots. But the “one” beside those 19 wins means it didn’t happen.
To be fair, 5-2 is a good record. But the Niners started 5-0, then lost at Cleveland.
Monday night, without left tackle Trent Williams, without wide receiver/ running back Deebo Samuel, the Niners didn’t play their best game, and fell to the Minnesota Vikings on the road (The 49ers are on a losing streak after falling to Vikings in another uncharacteristic performance). Defending NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson is on injured reserve, but Jordan Addison did his best impression: seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
McCaffrey scored twice for the 49ers, too, but Niners quarterback Brock Purdy threw two interceptions, one of them on the final drive of the game, with San Francisco attempting to get a game-winning touchdown. Instead, it was Camryn Bynum getting his second pick of the game and sealing the deal.
The 49ers were punchless offensively, had an uncharacteristic fumble (yes, uncharacteristic again) from running back Christian McCaffery, and trailed 19-7 before really getting going. The defense, which many consider the best in the league, gave up over 400 yards.
And now, San Francisco is no longer at the top of the NFC with Philadelphia, has fallen into a tie with Seattle for the NFC West Division lead, and facing Cincinnati – not the team you want to face when you’ve lost two straight – at home at Levi’s Stadium this weekend.
How quick this league can turn.
“I made a bad mistake today that I believe cost us the game,” McCaffrey said, of his fumble.
Not necessarily. The 49ers didn’t play well as a team, and Minnesota did. The Vikings are now 3-4, and play at Green Bay this Sunday.
