Vikings upset 49ers in physical home opener: 'We just showed today who's the tougher team'

Sam Darnold-led Minnesota is 2-0, and it's not surprising to the guys in the locker room

By Cody Benjamin Sep 15, 2024 at 5:56 pm ET• 3 min read

MINNEAPOLIS -- Sam Darnold was a willfully forgotten man in San Francisco. The ex-New York Jets castoff appeared in just a single game during his 2023 stint with the 49ers, resigned to rebuild his football career in the shadows as Brock Purdy's backup and Kyle Shanahan's latest pupil. After Sunday, however, the Bay Area knows Darnold much better, and 49ers faithful probably wish they didn't.

Making his home debut as the Minnesota Vikings' starting quarterback, the veteran journeyman wasn't perfect before a U.S. Bank Stadium crowd littered with plenty of 49ers red. But he was resilient. He was comfortable. And he was victorious, outdueling Purdy in a 23-17 upset of the reigning NFC champions.

"He was able to sit behind a great coach and a great team in San Francisco," Pro Bowl fullback C.J. Ham said after the game. "To have him, have his poise, his leadership, it's been top-notch."

Ham's remarks were echoed throughout the Vikings' locker room Sunday, less than one calendar year after Kirk Cousins delivered one of the finest performances of his Minnesota career to stun the 49ers -- a game that Darnold attended on the other sideline. When Cousins left this offseason and Darnold was signed as a perceived placeholder, many fans anticipated a natural drop-off.