Monday 10 September 2018 06:14, UK
Kirk Cousins passed for two touchdowns on his much-anticipated Minnesota debut, and the Vikings forced four turnovers to fuel a 24-16 victory over San Francisco, handing 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with his first loss in eight games as an NFL starter.
Cousins connected with Stefon Diggs in the second quarter and Kyle Rudolph in the third quarter for his two TDs, and the defense finished the job with three sacks and three second-half interceptions of Garoppolo. Rookie Mike Hughes turned one pick into a 28-yard touchdown return, the first by a rookie in a Vikings season opener.
With the Vikings leading by eight points late on, Harrison Smith sealed the game with an interception with just under two minutes remaining. He earlier recovered a fumble by Alfred Morris at the two-yard line, one of several missed opportunities for the 49ers on offense.
Garoppolo finished 15 for 33 for 261 yards and a touchdown pass to rookie Dante Pettis. But, the San Fran QB struggled at times, with an injury-depleted offensive line in front of him and the absence of top wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, also lost to injury early in the game.
FIRST QUARTER
49ers 0-3 Vikings: Daniel Carson 48-yard field goal
SECOND QUARTER
49ers 0-10 Vikings: Kirk Cousins 22-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs (Carlson extra point good)
49ers 3-10 Vikings: Robbie Gould 42-yard field goal
THIRD QUARTER
49ers 3-17 Vikings: Mike Hughes 28-yard interception return for a touchdown (Carlson extra point good)
49ers 6-17 Vikings: Gould 33-yard field goal
49ers 6-24 Vikings: Kirk Cousins 11-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph (Carlson extra point good)
49ers 13-24 Vikings: Jimmy Garoppolo 22-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis (Gould extra point good)
FOURTH QUARTER
49ers 16-24 Vikings: Gould 22-yard field goal
Steelers 21-21 Browns (OT)
Cleveland ended its 17-game losing streak on Sunday, but with a 21-21 tie against the Steelers. The Browns missed a chance at their first victory since 2016 when kicker Zane Gonzalez's 43-yard field-goal attempt with nine seconds left in overtime was blocked by T.J. Watt.
Buccaneers 48-40 Saints
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 417 yards, with four touchdowns - two scoring strikes of more than 50 yards - as the Buccaneers stunned the Saints. Starting for the suspended Jameis Winston, Fitzpatrick completed 21 of 28 passes without an interception and also ran for a short touchdown.
Bengals 34-23 Colts
Andy Dalton rallied the Bengals with three scores in the final 19 minutes and Clayton Fejedelem scored on an 83-yard fumble return with 24 seconds to go as Cincinnati snapped an eight-game losing streak in Indianapolis, spoiling Colts QB Andrew Luck's first start in more than 20 months.
Bills 3-47 Ravens
The Ravens harassed and embarrassed Buffalo quarterback Nathan Peterman (5 of 18, 24 yards, two interceptions), while Joe Flacco threw three touchdown passes in a blowout win for Baltimore.
Texans 20-27 Patriots
Tom Brady threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, hitting Rob Gronkowski for 123 yards and a TD as the Patriots recorded a one-score win over the Texans.
Jaguars 20-15 Giants
Linebacker Myles Jack scored on a 32-yard interception return early in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars spoiled the Giants debuts of coach Pat Shurmur and second-overall draft pick Saquon Barkley - who ran in for a 68-yard TD - as well as the return from injury of Odell Beckham Jr.
Titans 20-27 Dolphins
Jakeem Grant scored on a tie-breaking 102-yard kickoff return with 14 minutes to go, as Miami overcame two weather delays to win the longest game in NFL history since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Delays for lightning lasted a total of three hours and 59 minutes, the game taking seven hours and 10 minutes to play.
Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota threw two interceptions in the third quarter and then came out of the game with an elbow injury. Tight end Delanie Walker was carted off the field later in the period with a right leg injury, and tackle Taylor Lewan suffered a concussion.
