What we learned as 49ers shredded by Cousins, Vikings in loss

BOX SCORE MINNEAPOLIS — After being widely regarded as the top NFL team after five games, the 49ers have now dropped two consecutive games as heavy road favorites. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings' offense sliced and diced the 49ers en route to a 22-17 victory in front of a national television audience on Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. And the 49ers' offense could not rescue them. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw two interceptions to Vikings safety Camryn Bynum in the final 5:30 to end any hope of a comeback. His deep pass for Jauan Jennings was intercepted by Bynum at the Minnesota 30-yard line with 5:30 remaining. Vikings kicker Greg Joseph missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt with 1:11 remaining to give the 49ers one last chance. Bynum picked off Purdy again to end it. Here are three takeaways, as the 49ers come crashing down to fall to 5-2 on the season: Vaunted 49ers' defense looks shaky The first major sign was a week earlier when the offensively challenged Cleveland Browns with a backup quarterback picked up big yards in crucial times against the 49ers. Even without wide receiver Justin Jefferson, one of the NFL's top offensive threats, the Vikings made...