The Minnesota Vikings play their first home game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at 12 P.M. C.T. Last season, these two teams played in Week 7 on Monday Night Football. The Vikings were seen as the heavy underdog in that game because of their weak defense and Justin Jefferrson’s injury. Yet, they pulled off the 22-17 upset last season. Although the Vikings team looks much different this season, the 49ers enter as defending NFC champions again, so the Vikings enter the game as the underdogs yet again. In order to pull off another upset, the Vikings need to play complementary football again. With that in mind, here are three key matchups for the Vikings Vs the 49ers.
Key Matchups in Minnesota Vikings Vs. San Francisco 49ers
1. Aaron Jones Vs. 49ers run defense
Last season, the 49ers finished with the third overall run defense, which allowed only 1,525 yards. Despite being the third-best rush-stoping unit in the NFL, they gave up an average of 4.1 yards a carry to running backs. Although that was still a top-15 finish in yards per carry allowed, it was a major step back for them after only allowing 3.4 yards a carry in 2022.
The 49ers fell off in yards allowed after they lost safety Talanoa Hufanga to a torn ACL in Week 11. During Hufanga’s absence, the 49er’s rush defense had five games where teams rushed for over 100 yards on them. Conversely, when Hufanga was healthy, the 49ers only had three games where they allowed more than 100 rushing yards.
One of the games the 49ers gave up over 100 rushing yards in was in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Jones was the Packers running back for that matchup. Jones ended the divisional round with 18 carries for 108 yards, averaging 6.0 yards a carry. While the Packers lost that game Jones showed he can hurt the 49ers.
With the 49ers still down Hufanga, the Vikings need to trust Jones and the running game. If Jones puts together a game like he did in the playoffs, then the Vikings have a good shot to pull off another upset of the 49ers.
2. Vikings offensive line Vs. 49ers defensive line
Trench play is important every week. However, with the amount of talent the 49ers have on their defensive line, slowing them down is a must. The 49ers defensive line consists of Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Javon Hargrave, and Maliek Collin. While Bosa is the star of the line, Floyd and Hargrave have both made impacts on other teams throughout their career.
In their last matchup, the Vikings’ offensive line did a nice job of slowing down the 49ers pass rush, allowing zero sacks. However, according to PFF, the 49ers registered eight quarterback hurries and one quarterback hit. Bosa accounted for five hurries, and the quarterback hit. While Hargrave accounted for two hurries. All in all, though, the Vikings kept the pocket fairly clean the last time they played.
There’s no reason to believe they can’t keep the quarterback clean on Sunday. Since the offensive line is almost the same as last season expect Blake Brandel is starting at left guard instead of Dalton Risner. If the Vikings’ offensive line keeps Sam Darnold clean, he may be in for another performance like the Giants game; this time, though, it will be against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
3. Trent Williams Vs. Vikings edge rushers
Veteran offensive tackle Trent Willaims is one of the best in the game. Even after sitting out all of training camp, Willaims played 70 snaps in the season opener against the Jets. What’s even more impressive is that he didn’t give up any sacks and only allowed one pressure. Although Williams is an All-Pro, the fact that he was able to play at that level without practicing in training camp is crazy.
This week, Vikings edge rushers will certainly be in for a challenge with Williams. While Vikings defensive coordinator Brain Flores likes to move his rushers around the defensive line, Williams will see mostly rookie Dallas Turner and veteran Patrick Jones. Last week, Truner had two tackles, one sack, and one pressure, according to PFF.
Turner’s main role last week was to play contain in the run and pass game, which he did a good job at. On the other hand, Jones had two tackles, assists, two sacks, and two quarterback pressures. Both Turner and Jones will have their hands full with Willaims this week. Even so, this will be an early test to see what Turner can do against one of the best left tackles in the game.
If Turner is able to beat Willaims at any point during the game, it will be one of the main talking points nationally. The Vikings getting any sort of success on Williams would be a major win on defense.
Main Image: John Jones-Imagn Images
