5 biggest takeaways from the Vikings loss vs. 49ers in Week 12

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings congratulates Adam Thielen #19 after Thielen's touchdown reception in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings congratulates Adam Thielen #19 after Thielen's touchdown reception in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Minnesota Vikings
Adam Thielen – Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Things just didn’t go the Vikings’ way

There’s an old saying that goes “That’s the way the ball bounces” and it applies pretty well to this game for the Minnesota Vikings. Things that seemed to be good for the team just didn’t work out that way whatsoever.

A perfect example of this is the play where Adam Thielen appeared to scoop up the football before it hit the ground on a low throw from Kirk Cousins, but it was reviewed and referees did not overturn it.

More examples of this are a missed extra point by Greg Joseph, a strange penalty called on Harrison Smith while the two teams were scuffling, and several non-calls that could have been made against 49ers defenders.

Add in a really peculiar play setup where Kirk Cousins lined up behind his right guard and the receivers had to switch sides of the field while the running back seemed absolutely baffled, and you’ve got a game that was frustrating to watch while San Francisco dominated on the ground.

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