Brett Favre made his preseason debut but it was San Francisco that took the win as the 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 15-10, in preseason action.
After two weeks of reports that Favre informed his teammates he was retiring, Favre reported to the Vikings training camp last Tuesday as the 40-year-old will be taking part in his 20th NFL season.
He started the game and appeared in one series, completing the only pass he threw for 13 yards, but did not lead the Vikings to a score. He is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
Anthony Dixon scored a touchdown and had 20 carries for 51 yards while Alex Smith went 9-for-13 for 88 yards for the 49ers, who have won both of their preseason games.
Adrian Peterson had six carries for 17 yards and added three catches for 25 yards for the Vikings, who won their preseason opener against St. Louis. Joe Webb added a 48-yard touchdown run.
The 49ers drew first blood as Dixon’s four-yard plunge into the end zone capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive for the only points of the first quarter.
Ryan Longwell’s 40-yard boot between the uprights accounted for the only points of the second quarter to make it a 7-3 game going into the break.
Joe Nedney’s 28-yard field goal in the third quarter gave the 49ers a 10-3 lead.
Nedney kicked a 31-yard field goal early in the fourth to extend San Fran’s lead to 13-3.
Webb’s touchdown run late in the fourth got Minnesota to within three. San Francisco, though, got a safety on the last play of the game by sacking Webb in the end zone.