Five extra points: 'Prime Time' Cousins, new lineman Dalton Risner boost Vikings over 49ers

Left guard Dalton Risner was physical, active and exceptional in his Vikings starting debut at left guard and needs to stay in the lineup at one of the guard positions. Facing Javon Hargrave, one of the league's best tackles and the 49ers' leader in sacks, Risner consistently kept a clean front pocket, which helped Kirk Cousins excel on third downs. Hargrave had the game's opening tackle — 19 yards downfield after being knocked off the ball by Risner on a run play. On the Vikings' first third down, Risner doubled Hargrave with Garrett Bradbury. On the next third down, Risner stuffed Hargrave, helping Cousins throw a 20-yard touchdown pass. Job well done.

Maybe it's time to forget the healthy scratch first-round safety from Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's 2022 draft (Lewis Cine) and celebrate the overachieving fourth-round safety from Rick Spielman's 2021 draft (Camryn Bynum). With one forced fumble and two interceptions, Bynum single-handedly rewrote the Vikings' home game Keystone Kops narrative and helped them avoid the franchise's first 0-4 home start ever. Before Monday, the Vikings were minus-5 in turnover differential with one takeaway at home. They were minus-14 in points off turnovers (3-17). On Monday, they were plus-2 in turnover differential and plus-7 in points off turnovers (7-0). Bynum has five career picks and two forced fumbles in his last three games. Advantage, Spielman.

Cousins showed how well he can play at any hour of the day when given good protection. The Vikings went into Monday's game ranked 26th in third-down conversions and last in time of possession. The 49ers were No. 3 in yards allowed and No. 2 in points allowed. Well, the Vikings converted eight of 13 third downs. How'd Cousins do on that key down? He completed nine of 12 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and six first downs. Jordan Addison had two touchdowns and two first downs on third down. Brandon Powell had two third-down conversion catches, while T.J. Hockenson and Cam Akers had the other two.

Meanwhile, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy lost his second straight regular-season game after winning his first 11. Why? Because Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores put a little too much pressure and confusion on the young man's plate. Purdy completed just two of five third-down passes for 36 yards and two first downs. The 49ers had five third-and-1s and one fourth-and-1 and converted four of them with runs. On Purdy's first third-down attempt — third-and-5 from the Vikings 22 — Flores put eight defenders at the line of scrimmage and rushed three. Cornerback Akayleb Evans broke up a pass, and the drive ended with the 49ers missing a 40-yard field goal.

Uh-oh! It's time to worry about the kicker again. Greg Joseph missed a league-high six PATs last year and was perfect this year until he had one blocked at Chicago. On Monday, he missed wide right. He also choked a 50-yard field-goal attempt wide right after coach Kevin O'Connell showed faith in him by playing for a long field goal and an eight-point lead with 1:16 left. Joseph, who had made a 54-yarder, had the distance. Punter Ryan Wright also let the team down. His only punt was a touchback for a 22-yard net with the Vikings up by five in the fourth. Wright, who had one touchback all last season, has four this year.