The 49ers (4-1) host the Minnesota Vikings (4-1) at Candlestick Park on Sun October 12, 1986.
Jeff Kemp continues at quarterback. Roger Craig leads the backfield. Jerry Rice at receiver. The Vikings start Tommy Kramer at quarterback with Darrin Nelson at running back.
Minnesota is 4-1 and the NFC's second-best record. Both teams enter with the same record in the mid-October home test.[1][2][3]
The Vikings at 4-1 are the NFC's most dangerous visitor to Candlestick in 1986. Tommy Kramer leads an offense with Anthony Carter as the conference's best outside receiver, capable of the deep ball that forces a defense to choose. The 49ers' secondary has been tested by Marino; Kramer is different but similarly capable.
Kemp's zero-interception game against Indianapolis was the efficiency the offense needed. The defensive concern is Kramer's ability to change the game in one quarter.
Week six is the mid-October home game against the NFC's other top team. The 49ers (4-1) and Vikings (4-1) are the NFC's two best records after the Giants and Bears. The Bears (5-0) remain undefeated. The Giants (5-0) lead the NFC East. The Rams (4-1) match the 49ers in the West. The 49ers' Sunday home game against Minnesota is the week's most competitive NFC matchup and the first real home test of the Kemp-era starting stretch.
Through five games the 49ers are 4-1 with a plus 66 differential. The Vikings are 4-1 with a plus 37. Tommy Kramer is 97 of 158, 1,306 yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions. Anthony Carter has 23 catches for 387 yards. Jeff Kemp is 80 of 125, 1,026 yards, eight touchdowns, four interceptions in four starts. Craig has 129 carries for 470 yards. Rice has 22 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3-2 | W1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3-2 | W2 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1-4 | L1 |
| Houston Oilers | 1-4 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 4-1 | W3 |
| New England Patriots | 3-2 | W1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1-4 | L2 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1-4 | L3 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0-5 | L5 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 5-0 | W5 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 4-1 | W1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3-2 | L1 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 2-3 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 1-4 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 4-1 | L1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 4-1 | W1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 4-1 | W3 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1-4 | L3 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 5-0 | W5 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3-2 | L1 |
| Detroit Lions | 2-3 | W1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-4 | L2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 0-5 | L5 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Redskins | 5-0 | W5 |
| New York Giants | 4-1 | W4 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3-2 | L1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2-3 | W2 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 0-5 | L5 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Vikings | Anthony Carter 6 yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Chuck Nelson kick) | 7-0 |
| 49ers | Dwight Clark 45 yard pass from Jeff Kemp (Ray Wersching kick) | 7-7 |
| Vikings | Issiac Holt special teams fumble recovery in end zone (Chuck Nelson kick) | 14-7 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 39 yard field goal | 14-10 |
| 49ers | Jerry Rice 34 yard pass from Jeff Kemp (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-17 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Jerry Rice 17 yard pass from Jeff Kemp (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-24 |
| Vikings | Chuck Nelson 26 yard field goal | 17-24 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Vikings | Anthony Carter 35 yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Chuck Nelson kick) | 24-24 |
| Vikings | Chuck Nelson 28 yard field goal | 27-24 |
Tommy Kramer threw three touchdowns and Chuck Nelson kicked a field goal in overtime as the Minnesota Vikings beat the 49ers 27-24 at Candlestick Park. Jeff Kemp finished 23 of 43 for 359 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Roger Craig ran for 65 yards. The 49ers fell to 4-2.[1][2][3]
Kemp threw 359 yards and three touchdowns at Candlestick but the 49ers lost 27-24 in overtime on Chuck Nelson's field goal. Two Kemp interceptions converted into Vikings scoring drives that the three touchdowns could not fully offset. The 65-yard rushing day on 28 carries — the year's second-lowest output — left the offense too one-dimensional when the turnovers came.
Kramer went 26 of 41 for 326 yards and three touchdowns, including Anthony Carter's two scores. The Vikings' overtime drive produced the field goal on a 37-yard Nelson kick. Kemp's two interceptions came in the third and fourth quarters — at moments when the 49ers led and needed only a clean play to extend the advantage.
The loss dropped the 49ers to 4-2 with the Falcons on the road next week.
Vikings 27, 49ers 24 (OT). Margin: minus 3. Record: 4-2.
A 24-27 overtime home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Kemp's 359-yard game is not enough against three Kramer touchdowns and the overtime drive.
How it unfolded
Both teams scored touchdowns in the first and second quarters. Kemp's third touchdown gave the 49ers a 24-20 lead entering the fourth. Kramer answered with his third touchdown to tie it. The overtime drive ended in Nelson's field goal.
The turning point
Kemp's two interceptions in the third and fourth quarters. Each stopped a drive that could have extended the lead. The 49ers' 65 rushing yards on 28 carries left the offense vulnerable.
By the numbers
Kemp 23 of 43 at 8.3 per attempt, three touchdowns, two interceptions. Kramer 326 yards and three touchdowns. Craig 65 yards — the year's second-lowest rushing output.
What it means
4-2 heading to Atlanta. Two games behind the Rams. The Falcons road game is the reset opportunity.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 21 | 21 |
| Total Yards | 351 | 413 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 26/41 | 23/43 |
| Pass yards | 326 | 359 |
| Pass TD | 2 | 3 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 2 |
| Sacks taken | 2 | 1 |
| Sack yards lost | 9 | 11 |
| Net pass yards | 317 | 348 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 20 | 28 |
| Rush yards | 34 | 65 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 0 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 2 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
| Penalties | 2 | 5 |
| Penalty yards | 10 | 53 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Jeff Kemp | 23/42 | 359 | 3 | 2 | 87.3 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39.6 |
| MIN | |||||
| Tommy Kramer | 26/41 | 326 | 2 | 2 | 84 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Roger Craig #33 | 17 | 32 | 0 | 7 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 6 | 23 | 0 | 7 |
| Joe Cribbs | 4 | 10 | 0 | 5 |
| Jeff Kemp | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MIN | ||||
| Allen Rice | 10 | 25 | 0 | 12 |
| Darrin Nelson | 9 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| Ted Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Jerry Rice #80 | 7 | 144 | 2 | 59 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 6 | 75 | 0 | 25 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 3 | 63 | 1 | 45 |
| Mike Wilson #85 | 3 | 44 | 0 | 18 |
| John Frank | 2 | 19 | 0 | 15 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Joe Cribbs | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| MIN | ||||
| Anthony Carter | 4 | 77 | 2 | 35 |
| Leo Lewis | 5 | 75 | 0 | 31 |
| Steve Jordan | 4 | 74 | 0 | 25 |
| Darrin Nelson | 6 | 47 | 0 | 14 |
| Allen Rice | 3 | 41 | 0 | 29 |
| Mike Mularkey | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Hassan Jones | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Ted Brown | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
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