Most disappointing Vikings in the loss to the 49ers

CB Mackensie Alexander

Mackensie Alexander was a name that many Vikings fans were excited to have back for the 2021 season. When he left the team back in 2019, he was playing at a high level. He had blossomed into an excellent blitzing corner and his coverage was becoming very sticky. This year he hasn’t looked anything like that same player and his game against the 49ers was easily his worst of the season.

Alexander was the one at fault for the 49ers‘ first score. The Vikings’ defense was bending but trying not to break as the 49ers were driving down the field. They forced the San Francisco offense to a third and long. With Garoppolo facing decent pressure, he was able to find a pretty wide-open man, and the 49ers converted. It was Alexander on the coverage who either didn’t understand his assignment or just couldn’t keep up with the receiver. Whatever the reason, it was an easy conversion in an early but key moment in the game.

The very next play the 49ers went back to the pass and again targeted Alexander. He couldn’t handle the rookie Jennings, who easily beat him and his half-assed attempt at a tackle for the one-yard score. Alexander needs to either get a severe tongue lashing or go back and figure out what he’s doing differently because he has shown in the past he is a much better player than what was on the turf today.