Watch the Vikings vs. 49ers live on KARE 11 at 3:35pm, and follow this page for updates and insights throughout the game.
Following their thrilling overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints last week, the 6th seed Minnesota Vikings are looking for their second straight upset, this time against San Francisco 49ers, the top seed in the NFC.
RELATED: Can Vikings build off emotional win?
PREGAME
It appears wide receiver Adam Thielen will be available for the Vikings, as he was not among the players on the inactive list. Thielen was limited in practice earlier in the week, after after suffering a "significant" cut that required stitches.
Inactives for Saturday's game include safety Jayron Kearse and wide receiver Alexander Hollins, among others.
Vikings fans have a large presence at Levi's Stadium, with at least one group performing a Skol chant during tailgating festivities.
Back in Minnesota, fans are gathered for an official watch party at Mystic Lake. KARE 11's Jennifer Austin takes us for a tour:
FIRST QUARTER
The 49ers won the toss and elected to kick off to the Vikings to start the game.
The San Francisco defense immediately made itself known, quickly stopping quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings with a three-and-out on Minnesota's first drive of the game.
Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers charged down the field in their opening drive, taking an early 7-0 nothing lead behind a touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne.
The Vikings fared much better on their second drive, as Cousins connected with Stefon Diggs with a 41-yard touchdown pass, part of a 79-yard, 7-play scoring drive to tie the game at 7-7.
It's the second postseason touchdown in Stefon Diggs' career. Diggs' last TD in the playoffs? The Minneapolis Miracle.
The Vikings defense showed its strength on the 49ers' next drive, with a pair of sacks on QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Danielle Hunter had one, bringing his 2020 postseason total to 2.5 sacks so far. Stephen Weatherly picked up his first postseason sack a few moments later.
The first quarter ended with the two teams tied at 7.
SECOND QUARTER
The 49ers defense answered the Vikings' sack parade with one of their own on Kirk Cousins to open the second quarter, and quickly sent the offense back to the sidelines on Minnesota's first drive of the quarter.
It seemed the Vikings would get their revenge on the Niners' next series, with a play originally called as a fumble recovered by Minnesota, but it would be turned back on official review.
San Francisco would capitalize on their second chance, as RB Tevin Coleman would run into the endzone for a 1-yard score to put the 49ers back on top, 14-7.
The Vikings had a huge opportunity during the 49ers next drive, with Eric Kendricks coming up with a clutch interception, giving the Vikings good field position as the clock ticked down to the 2-minute warning.
However, the Vikings couldn't get the ball into the endzone, with Cousins brought down on 3rd-and-long, forcing Minnesota to settle for a field goal by Dan Bailey, bringing the Vikings within four going into the half, 14-10.
HALFTIME
3RD QUARTER
San Francisco received the opening kickoff to start the second half, and continued to rule the clock, just as they had in the first half. The 49ers were able to take more than four minutes off the clock and turned their first drive into a field goal, to extend the lead to 17-10.
Things went from bad to worse on the Vikings' next possession, as Cousins was picked off by Richard Sherman.
Tackle Brian O'Neill was injured on the same play, and is being evaluated for a concussion.
The 49ers capitalized on the turnover and strong field position, with Tevin Coleman picking up his second rushing touchdown of the game, extending San Fran's lead over Minnesota to 24-10.
The Vikings woes continued to close the quarter, when Marcus Sherels bobbled and dropped a punt return, which the 49ers recovered inside the red zone.
FOURTH QUARTER
San Francisco would open the fourth quarter by converting the previous quarter's turnover into another Robbie Gould field goal, extending their lead to 27-10.
It took until late in the 4th quarter before the Vikings offense crossed the 100 yard mark.
The Vikings finish the game with just 7 first downs for the entire game.
49ers win, 27-10. They'll host the winner of Packers-Seahawks in next week's NFC championship.
For more updates and analysis, follow the KARE 11 sports team on Twitter: Eric Perkins, Dave Schwartz and Andy McDonnell.
