Enemy Fan Forums: San Francisco 49ers

Jim Tomsula beat the Vikings when they played in a season opener. Let's see if Kyle is better than Tomsula.

Looking forward to all the panic buttons being hit went we don't beat the best defense and 2nd best team in the NFC.

I could see us starting 1-4. Our schedule is that ridiculous.

40-9, Vikings

I think this game is a close game that we can definitely win. But season openers on the road are hard as hell to win. I'm a homer, so I say 34-23 Niners.

I base it on the Vikes having a new QB in a new scheme and it will take them half the season to really start clicking. Also our defense is better than we thought it was.

Yeah QB matchup is one factor that can be missed...

Jimmy has a few weeks advantage on Cousins as far as familiarity with a new system (Cousins is starting with a new coaching staff), but conversely Cousins coming from Washington where they ran Shanny's offense will prob hep their D scout us more

In the end, if it's even a remotely close game it'll come down to the usual factors that make week 1 games funky:

• turnovers
• special teams
• officiating (especially this season)

We're definitely the underdogs in this but there are a few things going against the Vikes.

1) Their oline is in dire trouble through injury with a number of starters lost.

2) They have a brand new first time OC with a different system from last year.

3) They have a new QB in Cousins and he's had limited game snaps with his team mates. He will be better than Keenum given time but he's looked off in pre-season and it will take time.

I think Sparano's unfortunate death may also have a minor impact, but that aside this is not a franchise rolling off a successful season unchanged, these changes are all significant.

Their offensive line is suspect we better take advantage & rattle Cousins all day long, their D is gonna bring the pain i just hope we have enough fire power on offense to sustain drives. Also that red zone offense must show up cant drive down the field just to settle for 3 points.

JUST like that opening game vs the Vikings (Tomsula's 1st year), MONEY LINE all over for the 49ers babyyyy !!!!

SF 49ers: 31
Vikings: 17

.. and people will know how OVERRATED Cousins is !!!

Vikings have a great defense and a loud home crowd. That right there is a challenge for Jimmy and the offense. We have to win the turnover battle in order to have a chance in this game.

Really wish we had Foster for this game.

I think we can break through that Vikings D unless our OL just flat out sucks and put up points.

The big question for me is our defense. Cousins is an unknown on the Vikings. He looked good in preseason and seems to have a connection with Diggs but have to see how he does once the games matter. Their OL is their weak spot but unfortunately we all know our pass rush leaves a lot to be desired so it's weakness on weakness.

Long story short we need our trenches to have a day. If OL and DL have great games we win. If either one struggles we'll be tarnishing Jimmy's record with the first L.

I think the defense is going to get shredded by MIN. Think SF offense is going to have a hard time getting the run game going , so hopefully they can get the pass game going and work a lot of intermittent routes to offset the pass rush. Extremely tough matchup to start the year.

Also, let's not underestimate Shanahan's experience with Cousins and the role it plays. He knows his tendencies, strengths, weaknesses...he can help Saleh and Sherm diagnose, prepare, and exploit some things.

Playing in Minnesota has not been kind to the 49ers. Last win in Minnesota Dec. 1992. Amp Lee had 2 Td's. The one game we should have won back in 2009 when Favre hit that Hail Mary. Otherwise we have typically been blown out up there.

Many, many difficult matchups across the board.

Spoon and Sherm vs Thielen and Diggs

OL vs their purple-people-eating DL. Weston Richburg is put to the test right out of the gate. Minn is going to put those two middle LBs over the A gaps the entire game and try to create confusion. McGlinchey vs Hunter and Griffen. Good chance the rookie struggles mightily against two of the best edge in the game.

I'm expecting a loss, so if they win, I'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Going to be a valiant loss.

I won't say that I will be happy with a competitive loss, but going against a top team on the road is not an easy task.

I think we lose this one 27-20 unfortunately.

Ladies and Gentleman!! This will be the coming out game that we've been waiting for. We will tear the Vikings a new a..hole this coming week. 31-17 Niners!! Shanahan knows every single weaknesses of Cousins and he's gonna attack it completely and take him off his game.

First games are always unpredictable, but I think Viking home field gives them the win.

Cousins' week 1 numbers are as follows;

2017: 23/40 250 yards 1td 1int (also lost two fumbles)
2016: 30/43 329 yards 0td 2ints
2015: 21/31 196 yards 1td 2ints

Offense scores an average of 14 points. They played some tough defenses in 2017 and 2016, however, all three of these games were at home and the redskins lost all of them.

This is by far and away the best team Kirk Cousins has ever been on. His pass numbers don't really matter all that much. The Vikings didn't need Cousins in order to be super bowl contenders. Kirk doesn't have to carry the Vikings. He just has to manage the games and they could end up in the Super Bowl. On the other Jimmy Garoppolo has to carry the entire 49ers on his back and he has to take chances in order for his team just to have an opportunity to win any game. The Vikings advantage is overall talent and a great home field. What the 49ers have is the single most talented player on most game days in Jimmy Garoppolo. What he brings is a bag full of intangibles and belief. His teammates, coaches, and fans all believe in him and themselves.

As long as Jimmy Garoppolo stands tall and is protected in that pocket, the 49ers have a chance to win over any opponent.

This would be a surprize win. Many things would have to wrong for Vikes to lose. I would love to be wrong. If so..I'll eat crow. I just dont want any injuries.

I think the Vikes are overrated. They always play second fiddle to Aaron when he's healthy. That's why they intentionally hurt him last year with the late piledriver that wasn't called. They lost to the Saints in the divisional round, but... - the Saints' corner on the very last play of the game tackled himself and the safety while missing the Vikes' receiver.

That said, they're more talented, playing at home, and normally should whip us. But Jimmy G. is a big wildcard as is the game being the opener, where weird things happen.

Match-up Breakdown in My Eyes:

ADVANTAGES

1. Cousins - Turnover prone, tons of pressure with the contract, new system
2. OL: One of the lower tier OL's in the game
3. Our special teams are better than theirs
4. We have one of the best offensive play-callers in the NFL

DISADVANTAGES

1. Playing on the road
2. Well-established elite defense stocked with talent & a fantastic defensive mind behind it to make adjustments.
3. OL: Rookie RT, new center in new scheme, new RG -- youth and chemistry issues may take time to resolve.
4. Jimmy G pressure under his contract too. Also not afraid to sling it, and that's dangerous considering the D we're playing.

5. No Reuben Foster

I see us losing by about 10 points.

you all think that the Vikings are a POWER HOUSE team??

Defense may be a very good one, but Kirk Cousins sucks...

the key to this game is to score early against that defense... hard but with Shanny's patience and play calling moxiness, it can be done.. those Vikes are believing the Super Bowl contender hype and they will be pumped up... we fall for that especially during the 1st QTR and this game can get ugly.. so what we must do is to have a good drive and dictate the tempo..

It's is so weak as a fan to concede to defeat before the game is even played, and here is why. It's hedging. If they lose negative Nancy gets to say I told you so, if they win they get to fall back on the well of corse that's what I really wanted routine. 32-27 Niners b***hes

Man, 10am games across country are brutal for WC teams esp. young teams. I genuinely have no idea where this game goes esp. b/c opening games can be incredibly erratic and unpredictable.

Matchups:

Garoppolo vs. Cousins (at home) - I have a feeling both are going to have near identical stats; defenses dominant (Even)

Their DL vs. our OL - No doubt, Staley/McGlinchey will be on high alert on the edge but they win enough inside too (+1 Vikings)

Our DL vs. their OL - No edge rush whatsoever but we bring it inside again a banged up OL (+1 49ers)

Cousins vs. our secondary - our biggest unknown is Sherman for a full game but he's a gamer (Even)

Garoppolo vs. their secondary - He'll need enough time to throw and tough secondary to face (Even)

Their offense vs. our RZ defense - we win (+1 49ers)

Our offense vs. their RZ defense - they win (+1 Vikings)

Penalties - they win (+1 Vikings)

Intangibles - SF wins on game plan & they win on homefield advantage (even)

Vikings: 20-17

Vikings:

+ Home Game
+ Defense
+ HC (Zimmer has shown more so far than Shanahan)
+ Experience (incl Playoffs)

QB, offense/playmakers(?), special teams...seem like a wash.

With all this, if the 49ers still manage to win the game....more good things to come.

Jimmy G versus the #1 defense in the NFL last season playing at their place.

Kirk Cousins against what some seem to think is an up and coming team in the 49ers.

Jimmy G has to carry the 49ers all season long.

Kirk Cousins just simply has to manage the games for the more talent proven Vikings team. They are capable of carrying him.

Tough game but pressure is all on the Vikings. A few big plays here and there and we can walk away with a W.

I'm excited for this season even though the McKinnon loss is a real b***h. Would've liked to see him in this offense but we'll make due.

The Vikings D is scary and they're playing at home so it's an extra advantage and leads to mistakes in pass protection and they completely shut down the Rams at home last year with a weaker squad IMO so they can definitely defend this type of offense...however I think unlike the Rams we don't rely as heavily on the running game. It definitely sets things up so we'll have to find ways to run it even if it's for minimal gains but I trust Jimmy to make plays in the passing game as long as the OL isn't awful.

My big concern and it's due to a lot of unknowns is our D. No Foster, no pass rush, how will Sherman play? Vikings have a lot of talent but we have to find ways to make their OL chit the bed and stop Cook and their runnng game and force Cousins to make mistakes.

We lose, it was how it should've been. We win and it's on.