First, on 4th-and-goal at the 2, the Vikings brought pressure, placing six defenders on the line, and no one touched tackle Jonah Williams, who forced Purdy to hurry a throw to well-covered wideout Jauan Jennings that was deflected.

“They had a zero blitz,” Purdy said. “And one guy came free, which, in our pass protection, that’s just how it is.”

On the 49ers’ next series, on 4th-and-2 from the Vikings’ 42, it appeared Minnesota would bring more heat. Before the snap, they again had six players at the line of scrimmage, with safety Joshua Metellus and Cashman standing up and showing blitz. At the snap, however, Metellus and Cashman dropped into coverage and Cashman stopped Purdy one yard shy of a first down after he scrambled once he couldn’t locate an open receiver.

Shanahan said Flores’ ability to disguise coverages and blitzes can slow down a QB’s ability to process, forcing them to hesitate post-snap because they don’t immediately recognize what they’re facing.