How 49ers let Darnold, Jefferson connect on 97-yard touchdown originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
There are many plays the 49ers wish they could have back from Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but one stands out above the rest.
Both sides of the ball struggled for San Francisco in the 23-17 loss to Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium, but the booming 97-yard touchdown pass from Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the second quarter might have been the most impactful 49ers miscue in the one-score loss.
In speaking to reporters after the game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell broke down what went into his decision to call the booming play while backed up against their own end zone.
“The 97-yarder is one of the prettiest throws I’ve seen,” O’Connell said. “It goes back to a look we ran on them last year, similar kind of presentation, similar everything. That one’s been in the hopper for a little bit. Did not know I would call it. Backed up with our feet in the paint like that.
“Great protection in that moment, elite execution by both [Jalen Nailor], I think [he] would have been a long hit as well depending on who Sam chose and he chose the right one launching that thing. That’s as pretty of a throw as I’ve seen, especially in those circumstances. And then [Nailor’s] play style to get the block to get Justin in the end zone.”
Jefferson appreciated the trust Darnold had in him to beat the 49ers’ double-team and make a play.
“I mean, we practiced that play time and time again,” Jefferson told reporters postgame. “We didn’t practice it being on the 3-yard-line and us going 97 [yards], it was just a great, great ball by Sam to really trust the double-team for me to run right through it. It’s been time and time again where we practice these plays and we’ve just got to go out and execute them. It’s going to happen over and over again, like I’ve been saying; me beating a double-team, Sam’s just got to trust me to beat it and to make a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-let-darnold-jefferson-connect-161956304.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-09-16 16:19:56
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