Receivers coach Greg Stewart decided to insert WR Greg Lewis on the decisive play of the 27-24 win because WR Percy Harvin was worn out — and because coach Brad Childress had told Stewart not to be afraid to use him.
Though it wasn’t as bad as his three yards on 14 carries from 2007 against the Niners, RB Adrian Peterson was limited to 85 yards on 19 attempts and no touchdowns.
Said QB Brett Favre of a downfield block he applied to San Fran LB Patrick Willis as WR Bernard Berrian tried to get more yardage: “I thought maybe I could spring him. Maybe get on SportsCenter.”
Vikings G Steve Hutchinson and T Phil Loadholt each took the blame for a blocked field goal just before the half, which turned what would have been a 16-7 lead into a 14-13 deficit.
Ray Ratto of CBSSports.com thinks Favre’s heroics are temporary.
How close did 49ers DE Manny Lawson come to hitting Favre before the ball was out on the fateful 32-yard touchdown pass? “Not close enough,” Lawson said. “But close enough to know I’ll be thinking about that play for a while.”
Niners TE Vernon Davis found the soft spot in the Cover 2 defense for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
49ers RB Glen Coffee wasn’t happy with his 25-carry, 54-yard performance in place of Frank Gore.
QB Shaun Hill, who started his career in Minnesota, completed 15 of 25 passes for 195 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Coach Mike Singletary was positive after the loss — and he let his players who didn’t share that feeling hear it: “I don’t want to see you looking at the floor!” Singletary was heard saying to the players after the game. “You
didn’t steal nothing! You didn’t do anything wrong! We will see them
again! In the playoffs! Hold your heads up! Don’t you look down at the
floor for nobody! You have nothing to be looking down at the floor
about! Pick your heads up, put your shoulders back and let’s rock!”
