Vikings (5-5) at 49ers (5-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: 49ers by 3 ⁄2
1
Vikings’ keys to victory: Minnesota has to put the offense on the shoulders of RB Dalvin Cook. If he churns out yards early, he could allow QB Kirk Cousins to work off play-action and tear up a shoddy 49ers secondary with WR Justin Jefferson and WR Adam Thielen. Defensively, the Vikings have to pressure 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Well-timed blitzes from LB Eric Kendricks will help, but a dominant day from DEs Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen could derail what’s been a very efficient 49ers passing attack.
49ers’ keys to victory: San Francisco’s offense has rolled the last two weeks thanks to its steady run game. That same game plan has to apply against a Vikings team with an explosive offensive attack. Whether it’s RB Jeff Wilson Jr or RB Elijah Mitchell, the 49ers have to put themselves in second-andmanageable and third-and-manageable situations. That’s where Garoppolo thrives, and it allows WR Deebo Samuel to move into the backfield, where he’s become an effective runner. The Niners’ defense will rely heavily on LBs Fred Warner and Azeez AlShaair to slow a good Vikings rushing attack.
Matchup to watch: Vikings’ Thielen vs. 49ers CB Josh Norman. Thielen is a game-changing receiver; Norman is a shell of what he was. If he can avoid a disaster, the 49ers have a chance to slow down the Vikings’ passing game.
Who wins? The 49ers’ defense is susceptible to an explosive offense like Minnesota’s. A shootout seems inevitable, and the 49ers’ physicality should help.
49ers, 31-30