An NFL game day preview of the NFC divisional round matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers – Odds & Trends
When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 11, 2020
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: NBC
Point Spread: San Francisco 49ers -7
OVER / UNDER Game Total: 44.5
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 11-6
Road Record: 4-4
ATS: 10-7
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 13-3
Home Record: 6-2
ATS: 9-6-1
Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers Game Day Preview
The Minnesota Vikings enter this NFC Divisional Playoff game with momentum from an overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round as the San Francisco 49ers rested on their round-one bye week. Although the 49ers are favored, both teams will face a similar style of play as they were both ranked for rushing and scoring defense during regular season.
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Vikings
Although the 49ers are favored, they are going to have their work cut out for them with a similarly matched Vikings style of play. The Vikings are 10-7 against the spread and look to take advantage of only a few opportunities available. The 49ers defense is weakest when it comes to rushing yards and that lends a lot to be gained by RB Dalvin Cook who looked very healthy against the Saints with 28 carries, 94 yards and 2 TDs. QB Kirk Cousins also looked very efficient against the Saints going 19-31 with 242 yards, TD, 96.4 rating. Unfortunately, Cousin’s go-to wide receivers Diggs and Thielen are still questionable.
Minnesota is going to rely on their rush defense which only allows 108 rushing yards per game, and Eric Kendricks as the anchor of the unit. The linebacker had a team-high 110 tackles in the regular season and batted down 12 passes. Defensive end Danielle Hunter posted 14.5 sacks in the regular season and came up big against the Saints by forcing a critical fumble. Vikings key to victory however will be clock management. If Cook can find success on the ground over the 49ers rush defense, that will mean less time with Garoppolo on the field.
49ers
With a 13-3 record and a clinched conference taking on an underdog wild-card team, its no surprise the 49ers are favored. The 49ers are going to rely on their excellent pass defense to keep Cousins off balance. Defensive ends Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa will have an extremely important job of keeping pressure on Cousins if Vikings WR Adam Thielen is able to play.
San Francisco is 9-6-1 against the spread this season and Garoppolo looks unstoppable with 3,978 yards and 27 touchdowns. No doubt he will be looking for George Kittle, one of the top tight ends in the league, catching 85 balls for 1,053 yards despite missing two games. The real threat the Niners present on offense however is with their trio of running backs in Raheem Mostert (772 yards), Tevin Coleman (544) and Matt Breida (623).
Vikings & 49ers Facts
- Garoppolo has 3rd most yards after catch during regular season.
2. Vikings had fewest missed tackles in the NFL.
3. 49ers are 2nd in NFL for rush offense.
4. Vikings are 2nd in NFL for Red Zone defense.
Minnesota Vikings vs. San Fransisco 49ers Fantasy Football Picks
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Game Pick – San Fransisco 49ers 26 Minnesota Vikings 23
10 PT Pick = Total Touchdowns OVER 4.5
9 PT Pick = Total PTS OVER 44.5
8 PT Pick = San Francisco 49ers Will NOT WIN By OVER 7.5 PTS
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