The Vikings are 6.5 point underdogs at home this week against the currently second ranked team in the NFL. The 49ers are going to present a huge challenge for the team and will give us a good idea of what improvements can still and need to be made win or lose. I expect most fans expect a loss but are hoping for a win. a good way to avoid being more disappointed if you do get disappointed over Vikings football games.

It is going to be tough. The 49ers had 180 rushing yards and 221 passing yards last week against the Jets who many thought have one of the best defenses in the league. The Vikings had 111 rushing yards and 201 passing yards last week against the Giants who many thought have one of the worst defenses in the league.

Just based on these numbers and considering the opponents faced, it is understandable why the 49ers are favorites on the road. But the Vikings are breaking in a new QB who did very well while the 49ers are returning practically everyone on offense save for Dominick Puni who has taken the right guard spot. I think that Shanahan’s offense will provide opportunities for them to continue running the ball well and it is going to take a concerted effort to limit them to around 100 yards. The 49ers defense is a bit better than the Giants defense. Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd are a tougher test than Brian Burns and Kayvon Thobodeaux for the Vikings top offensive tackles but you have to feel good about that battle. The 49ers do not have a Dexter Lawrence but Javon Hargrave is no slouch. It might be easier this week for the interior line.

I see the Vikings being able to move the ball and score some points. The more Darnold plays with Justin Jefferson the more he is going to understand (like Cousins) that you simply must throw it to him often. I think it is going to come down to how well the defense plays (and tackles) and if the defense can get pressure on Purdy.

I think 6.5 points is too much but it is not a stretch to see a one TD loss. Once again, turnovers will be key. Last week, I thought it was going to be close and the Vikings blew them out basically. This week, I am still undecided but am leaning towards a close game.

What do you think?

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Vikings vs. 49ers Week 2 Game Preview

San Francisco’s physicality stands out. Its roster is flooded with difference-makers.

“It really doesn’t get more challenging,” Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores admitted Tuesday.

Flores called the 49ers the best run-after-the-catch team in the NFL. He said they’ve done a great job of acquiring and developing players; of being smart in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – and dispersing the ball into their stars’ hands so they can use their abilities accordingly. A lot to stop.

Vikings run defense vs. 49ers rushing offense

San Francisco’s rushing offense is proven. Minnesota’s run defense under Flores is, too.

In 2023, the Vikings tied for the fourth-fewest yards allowed per rush (3.8). On Sunday, they picked up where they left off, yielding to the Giants just 74 yards on 21 attempts (3.5 avg.). That’s important.

Because the 49ers are riding a massive wave of momentum in the run game, and Samuel is a force multiplier across the San Francisco offense.

“It’s the right fit and the right system,” Flores replied when he was asked which has the bigger impact: San Francisco’s system on Samuel or vice-versa. “I think Coach Shanahan does a great job of putting those guys in positions to make plays, using their skill sets to be explosive, to create explosive plays. To run the ball the way they want to run it, to be physical, to be violent. … I think it’s a combination of the two. Obviously, Deebo is very, very talented, but it’s a perfect fusion of talent and schematics.”

A key to slowing San Francisco is flying to the football. Few do that better on the Vikings defense than second-year linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr., who left guard Blake Brandel compared earlier this week to a “jacked-up pitbull” and “heat-seeking missile.” Pace had six tackles and a quarterback hit in the opener.

“He’s certainly being talked about from a game plan standpoint this week, with an aggressive, violent rushing attack that we’re going to see,” Flores said about Pace. “We’re definitely talking about him … and how to deploy [him] along with a lot of our other guys [against] what is going to be a big challenge.”

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Prisco’s Week 2 NFL picks: Vikings upset 49ers, Patriots improve to 2-0, Giants top Commanders

San Francisco 49ers (-6) at Minnesota Vikings

Both of these teams impressed in their Week 1 victories. The 49ers pushed around a good Jets defense without Christian McCaffrey. This Minnesota defense impressed against New York and I think they will play well here. This is close. Real close, but give it to the Vikings in an upset.

Pick: Vikings 22, 49ers 21

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3 sneaky problems that could hit 49ers in Week 2 game vs. Vikings

Kyle Shanahan previews 49ers-Vikings Week 2 matchup

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San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 2 game

Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers 33, Vikings 12

I don’t see Sam Darnold — even with his solid game against the Giants — keeping pace with the 49ers offense. Regardless of whether Christian McCaffrey plays, San Francisco could get whatever yards it wanted against the Jets, a far better defense than Minnesota’s.

Jordan Mendoza: 49ers 24, Vikings 20

After Monday’s performance without Christian McCaffrey, it’s tough seeing anyone able to take down the reigning NFC champions. Last season, Minnesota surprised San Francisco at home. While this game should be close, the 49ers shouldn’t falter this time around. The defense holds on to move to 2-0.

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links

Vikings LB says team felt ‘a little bad’ for Daniel Jones in season-opening pummeling of Giants

During an interview on Minneapolis’ KFAN 100.3, Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard discussed the emotions his teammates felt as they held Jones to 186 yards on 22-of-42 passing, picked him off twice and sacked him five times in his own stadium. The Vikings won 28-6.

Giants fans were not quiet with their displeasure, and the Vikings heard it as well. According to Greenard, they felt both pride and pity:

“We heard the boos raining in there, we were like, ‘OK, now we’re good on our side,’ but when they got really loud, to where it was as loud as a third down should be when they’re on defense, it was kind of bad.

“We kind of started to feel a little bit bad for him as we’re still just completely taking away everything that he wants to do. Hey, it’s good to be on the other side of it, and it’s our job to not be on that side of it.”

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Vikings RB Aaron Jones aims to start new 100-yard streak vs. 49ers: ‘We’ll get it this week and the weeks following’

In his Minnesota Vikings debut, Aaron Jones fell just six yards short of hitting 100 for his sixth straight game.

He appreciated head coach Kevin O’Connell trying to get him there, but he’s aiming to start a new streak this week against the San Francisco 49ers.

“We’ll get it this week and the weeks following,” Jones said Wednesday.

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Christian McCaffrey explains why he’s ‘Ready to go’ for Sunday’s game against the Vikings

McCaffrey told reporters in the locker room that his mindset is that he’s playing on Sunday. Here’s why: “That’s how I am every week. I’m not lying. I think as soon as a player says, ‘Maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t,’ that’s not a good mentality to go into a week with when you’re kind of on the fence. So, for me, I’m ready to go.”

He may want to play but after Jordan Mason did well, I expect them to be cautious

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Vikings’ QB Darnold shares valuable lessons learned with 49ers

On Wednesday, The 2017 NFL Draft’s No. 3 overall pick told reporters what he took away from his short but effective San Francisco era.

“It was huge,” Darnold said about his 49ers stint (h/t Minnesota Vikings). “Just being able to learn how they do things over there, not only schematically, but as an organization. It was great to be a part of [it] for a year. The season we had last year was amazing to be a part of.”

Darnold learned a lot after spending so much time living the quarterback life behind the scenes. And being the good spirit he is, Darnold is grateful for it.

“I learned so much last year,” the 27-year-old said. “Just what we did every single week. Being able to learn every game plan and study throughout the week, I think was the biggest takeaway that I had.

“With all the different things we had to know as quarterbacks going into a game … being able to study and know all of it without really having the reps throughout the week … being a backup and ready to go whenever my number was called … I think I learned a ton about myself last year, and I learned a lot about football as well.”

His improvement came with the opportunity. Darnold likely wouldn’t be a starter in the NFL today without paying his dues — specifically in the Bay.

“When you’re at quarterback, I feel like a lot of times you can feel everything collapsing in on you,” Darnold said. “Not just in the game, but theoretically as a whole. If things aren’t going your way, you can feel the weight of the world a little bit. At the end of the day, it’s your job to just put the ball in your playmaker’s hands and let them go make a play. It’s as simple as that sometimes. For me, it’s just being able to get the ball out and into their hands and let them go run with it.”

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49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Gushes Over Vikings QB Sam Darnold

Q: You had Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold last year for the year. What did you see from him when you had him here? And what have you seen recently?

SHANAHAN: “Loved having Sam here, he was an awesome guy. He’s been that way everywhere he’s been. And we found it out personally here. But always liked Sam before he got here. Just his talent level from college and what you’d seen in NFL and was exactly as good as advertised. He’s such a good athlete, so tough, can make any throw. And really enjoyed working with him. I thought he got better throughout the year. He was always ready to get more opportunities in the games if something bad happened. Fortunately for [QB] Brock [Purdy] we didn’t have to do that till the last week. But it was really good having him here as a number two.”

Q: When you saw that he’d signed with the Vikings and going to Kevin, was your first reaction, “Oh that’s a good spot for him?”

SHANAHAN: “Yeah, I thought it was a real good spot for him. And I was happy for him. I was hoping he’d find no good spots and come back here. But I was happy for him. He got this opportunity because Sam more than deserves it. Sam is a starting quarterback in this league and he should run with it.”

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Andrew Van Ginkel credits ‘anticipation’ and ‘instincts’ in big Vikings debut

Joining NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Wednesday, Van Ginkel said he tried to replicate what he did last year when he picked off Giants QB Daniel Jones on a similar play.

“It was something I anticipated,” said Van Ginkel. “I made a similar play last year, so I just tried to replicate that. Honestly, I thought I was going to drop it at first but I was able to corral it, able to collect it to my hip, and then score.”

“Obviously, this is a common play and this was something I anticipated. I’m not really sure what his thought process is or how they’re coached to throw that pass,” Van Ginkel continued when discussing the play late in the third quarter of the Vikings’ 28-6 win on Sunday. “For me, I saw empty and just anticipated the throw being out there. If you go back and look at it, I wasn’t the only one reacting to it. (Ivan Pace) in the middle there was getting out and we had guys on the edge ready to set the point and get a tackle for loss as well.”

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