The 49ers’ defense returned to its dominant early-season form in the divisional playoffs Saturday. They allowed just 10 points and ripped off six sacks on their way to one of their best showings of the year.
Numbers don’t always tell the whole story, but here are some stats that show just how good San Francisco’s defense was Saturday:
– Minnesota’s drive chart looked like this: Punt, touchdown, punt, punt, field goal, interception, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, turnover on downs.
– The Vikings had seven first downs. They had eight punts and turnovers combined.
– Seven first downs are tied for the second-fewest by a team in NFL playoff history.
– 147 total yards are the fewest by a team in a playoff game since 2015 when the Cardinals racked up 78 yards in the divisional round vs. the Panthers.
– San Francisco rushed for 187 yards, 40 more than the Vikings had total yards. Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman’s longest runs combined for 21 yards, which is how many total rushing yards the Vikings had as a team.
– The 49ers had six sacks – their most since Week 8 vs. Carolina. They had one fewer sack than the Vikings had total first downs (7).
– The Vikings didn’t convert a first down on the ground.
– Minnesota was 2-for-12 on third downs, including 0-for-6 in the second half.
– The Vikings gained 64 yards in the second half, and had the ball for 9:25 over the final 30 minutes.
– Minnesota rushed for 21 yards, including 7 in the second half.
– The 49ers ran the ball 47 times. The Vikings ran 45 offensive plays.
– The Vikings’ 3.3 yards per play on offense were the fewest in a playoff game since 2017.
– San Francisco had 21 first downs. Kirk Cousins had 21 completions.
– Quarterback Kirk Cousins had 69 net passing yards in the first half, and wound up with fewer than that in the second half (57).
– Running back Dalvin Cook had 1.8 yards per attempt.
– Nick Bosa had as many sacks (2) as Vikings WR Adam Thielen had receptions.
– Minnesota didn’t enter 49ers territory in the second half until their last two drives.
– Solomon Thomas got a sack. His first since Week 6 of the regular season.
If the 49ers defense plays like this in the NFC championship game, they’ll cruise to Super Bowl LIV.