49ers and Vikings reach 5-0 with wins over Seahawks and Saints

The San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings both improved to 5-0 on Sunday, with San Francisco defeating reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle 32-29 and Minnesota beating New Orleans 23-13. BBC Sport reported that turnovers helped decide the divisional contest, while the Vikings produced another strong defensive performance to preserve their unbeaten start.

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The 49ers-Seahawks game featured seven turnovers, a season high, and San Francisco converted their takeaways into three touchdowns. Those 21 points were the most Seattle had conceded from turnovers in a decade. San Francisco also lost defensive player Dre Greenlaw to an early ejection after he headbutted Ernest Jones on the sideline while Jones was not wearing a helmet.

Quarterback Brock Purdy received important help from new receiver Mike Evans, who finished with 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. Evans also made catches late in the game as the 49ers secured the three-point victory. According to the BBC, San Francisco are the only team with both a scoring offence and a scoring defence ranked in the top five.

This is the third time the 49ers have opened 5-0 under head coach Kyle Shanahan. On each of the previous two occasions, they went on to reach the Super Bowl. Minnesota matched that record by holding the Saints to 13 points, continuing the defensive success of Brian Flores' unit. The Vikings are allowing an average of 13 points per game.

Minnesota's beaten opponents include New Orleans and Tampa Bay, both now 1-4, as well as winless Miami, who are 0-5. The Vikings have a bye next. Elsewhere, Baltimore moved to 4-1 with a 30-23 overtime win at Atlanta. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley threw a touchdown with 40 seconds remaining in regulation and then ran for the decisive score in overtime.

The New York Jets also won a close game, beating Cleveland 17-12 after recording eight sacks of Deshaun Watson. The Browns missed an extra point, and a late punt fumble by Corey Bojorquez gave the Jets the opportunity they converted into the winning touchdown.