If we continue the analogy, the 49ers failed their Week 2 homework assignment so severely that we might have to get the principal involved.
The scoreboard showed a closer game than it felt like, with the Minnesota Vikings beating San Francisco 23-17 for the Vikings’ second win against the 49ers in as many years. It was a game where it was tough to point out bright spots for San Francisco – Fred Warner and Jordan Mason might be the only two – with Sam Darnold and the Vikings taking the air out of the 49ers early and keeping San Francisco at least an arms-reach away all game.
But here, the results of the game don’t matter; it’s what the 49ers taught us that does:
The 49ers can’t score more than 17 points against Brian Flores
Sunday marked the third time Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers offense has faced a Brian Flores-coached defense. Below is a list of the points scored by San Francisco in the three games, ranked from most to fewest:
- 17 – 2020 Week 5 versus Miami (Flores was the Dolphins head coach)
- 17 – 2023 Week 7 versus Minnesota
- 17 – 2024 Week 2 versus Minnesota
The 49ers lost all three games, with Sunday the most recent example of Shanahan’s struggles against Flores. Sunday was the best the San Francisco offense has fared in the three games, with 399 total yards, 297 passing yards, 67 plays ran, and a time of possession of 34:48, all highs for Shanahan against Flores. But the point total and the result remained the same.
