Jordan Addison, Kirk Cousins lead Vikings past 49ers - ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings, playing yet another close game, were able to pull out a key 22-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison, while Minnesota intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy twice in the fourth quarter to improve its record to 3-4. The 49ers (5-2) have lost two in a row after starting the season 5-0 despite two more touchdowns from running back Christian McCaffrey.

It's going to be difficult for the Vikings to ponder the kind of midseason sell-off many fans and media members have been anticipating. Their victory Monday night over the heavily favored 49ers brought them within a game of .500, and with a less formidable schedule forthcoming, the Vikings will be geared more toward qualifying for the playoffs than trading veterans and settling for a high first-round pick in the 2024 draft.

It wasn't over until safety Camryn Bynum stopped two late 49ers drives with interceptions. But as the Vikings look ahead to games against the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints — followed by the possible return of star wideout Justin Jefferson — they would be excused for believing their bad luck has run out.

All seven of the Vikings' games this season have been decided by one score. Last season, they famously went 11-0 in such contests. Who knows what could be next.

Buy/sell on a breakout performance: Those who watched the Vikings training camp knew that Addison was the real deal. Cousins said as much recently, adding, «He's a great player.» And all it took was an injury to Jefferson for the rest of the NFL world to see it. Addison caught seven passes for 123