49ers lose season opener

49ers’ Garoppolo suffers first loss; Vikings’ defender says: ‘He’s starting to get scared’

MINNEAPOLIS – Jimmy Garoppolo’s air of invincibility is over. His career, like his name, now has exactly one “L.”

The Minnesota Vikings ripped the Superman logo off his chest and stomped on it Sunday in their season-opening 24-16 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. The previously undefeated quarterback threw three interceptions, including a ghastly late-game floater that ended the 49ers’ final hope.

Hardly content to sack Garoppolo three times, the Vikings also hit him one more time with a locker room quote.

“As the game goes on, you have to bring the pressure on him. You see that he’s starting to get scared,” defensive end Danielle Hunter said.

Scared? Jimmy G? He may have come over in a Halloween trade, but it was all sunshine and rainbows after that. Garoppolo went 5-0 while throwing for 1,542 yards last season.

So it was almost surreal Sunday to see Garoppolo struggle in the red zone. Or to watch him overshoot tight end George Kittle on a sure touchdown pass. Or for him to finish with a 45.1 passer rating.

The quarterback praised coach Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling, gave a shoutout to the injury-ravaged offensive line and praised receiver Dante Pettis for doing all the work on the 49ers’ lone touchdown, a 22-yarder in the back left corner of the end zone.

49ERS / 10