The San Francisco 49ers visit the Minnesota Vikings at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in the second week of preseason action for NFL teams. For the Vikings, Kirk Cousins has returned from his bout with COVID-19.
NFL 2021-22 Season Record
The 49ers (1-0-0) beat the Green Bay Packers 28-21 in the NFL preseason opener. San Francisco has turned the keys over to Trey Lance, second-year QB out of North Dakota State, who converted four passes out of five attempts for 92 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Danny Gray for 76 yards.
Ray Ray McCloud III caught a 39-yard TD pass from Nate Sudfield. Later, Tanner Hudson caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, a rookie out of Iowa State.
Vikings’ Key Starters
None of the Vikings’ key starters played in a 26-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins was out, while star skill players Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen also sat out, leaving continuity under first-year coach Kevin O’Connell.
Still, Kellen Mond was 9 for 14 for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Sean Mannions was 8 for 12 with 79 yards. They also averaged 5.23 yards per carrying. Albert Wilson caught both touchdown passes.
49ers vs. Vikings Betting Analysis
NFL betting odds show the Vikings are five-point favorites with an over/under of 40 points. Minnesota is the money line favorite at -210 while the 49ers are +180. The line opened at Vikings -3 with an over/under of 39.5.
NFL Standings
Only two games separated the Vikings (8-9-0) and 49ers (10-7-0) in the NFL standings last year, but that was the difference between making the playoffs and not. Both teams hope to be playoff hopefuls once again.
49ers Analysis
The San Francisco 49ers defense was strong against the Packers. Samuel Womack III picked off Jordan Love twice for 50 yards, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, out of Indiana, had a 57-yard interception return.
Three different QBs :
- Sudfield
- Lance
- Purdy
Threw for touchdowns to three different receivers. It was a great showing from the passing game, though the rushing attack only had 3.6 yards per carrying. That included touches for Trey Sermon and JaMycal Hasty.
Vikings Analysis
As good as Mond was and the rushing game, the Viking’s defense struggled. Jarrett Stidham converted 66.7% of passes and rushed for a touchdown and 16 yards on four totes.
Nick Mullens was 7 for 9 for 94 yards and a touchdown as well. Brittain Brown ran for 54 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Minnesota’s Ty Chandler was the leader in a strong rushing game, rushing for 50 yards on five carries. Kene Nwangu rushed seven times for 41 yards.
NFL Injury Report
NFL injuries show Irv Smith Jr. is expected to return for the season opener, but likely is out during this preseason game for Minnesota.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are short in the secondary with Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and Charvarius Ward (groin) listed as questionable.
They also lost Jason Verrett to an ACL and on the PUP list. Offensive tackles Jaylon Moore and Daniel Brunskill are also questionable with leg and hamstring injuries, respectively.
49ers at Vikings Betting Preview
NFL betting picks aren’t available as of this writing. Preseason picks are hard to come by anyway due to the unknowns of who is playing and for how many snaps.
But with two preseason games left, teams should be getting some starter reps, which will excite their fan bases.
The Minnesota Vikings have as good of talent at the skill positions as a lot of teams in the league. It will be the first true look at O’Connell’s team with the starters factoring in. But the 49ers have a better defense, despite their secondary issues.
49ers vs. Vikings Betting Prediction
The pick here is 49ers +5 but feel free to take the Moneyline. Betting on the spread and point totals come with even spreads at -110.
Go to your favorite sportsbook and determine the unit you’d like to bet, but only do what you can afford to lose.
NFL Pick: 49ers +4.5 (-115)
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