Vikings at 49ers Depth Chart Preview Div. 2019
Jan 9, 2020 22:19:45 GMT -6
Oracle Bone Diviner likes this
Post by Danchat on Jan 9, 2020 22:19:45 GMT -6
After an epic overtime battle against the Saints, the Vikings defied the odds and defeated the heavy favorite on the road. Now they take on another heavy favorite - the #1 seed in the NFL. Do the Vikings stack up well against the 49ers? Let's see how their roster looks:
*My Thoughts*
The Vikings played far better than I anticipated against the Saints. That certainly gives them some hope to beat the 49ers, especially defensively. Jimmy Garoppolo has had a penchant for turning the ball over this season - 13 interceptions and 10 fumbles - and doesn't do well against pressure. Adding to that fact that the 49ers offensive line is a big step down from the Saints', I have to say I like the Vikings' chances to rattle him. It's also worth mentioning that QBs starting their first game in the playoffs usually don't do well. The stats since 2002:
That's pretty bad. I suspect the 49ers will try to rely on their running game, which is a rotational group that has a lot of volatility from week to week. The current starter is Raheem Mostert, a 5th year special teamer who has come out of nowhere to post 772 yards this season on 5.6 YPA. Matt Breida is a quick runner who will likely take the #2 spot in the rotation. Tevin Coleman has been mostly phased out, but will play a role in the receiving game. I can't say I love the 49ers' chances running against the Vikings' D-line, as they just shut down the Kamara/Murray rotation.
The 49ers do have a strong arsenal to throw to. George Kittle is a monster as both a blocker and a receiver. Just putting Kendricks on him might not do it. Their WR group has been vastly improved since the start of the year - 2nd round rookie Deebo Samuel has stepped up and looked like a #1 WR lately, veteran Emmanuel Sanders is a tricky guy to cover in the slot, and quietly, Kendrick Bourne is having a strong year as the 3rd WR. Add in one of the NFL's best FBs in Juszczyk (pronounced YOUS-chick), and the 49ers should not have a problem getting guys open.
The key to winning the battle defensively will be to beat the O-line. The starting tackles are pretty good - Staley is a borderline Hall of Famer and McGlinchey is still improving - and like the Saints, their weaknesses lie in the interior. Tomlinson and Person both rank below average as run blockers, and replacement center Ben Garland has struggled in both phases of the game. Putting Griffen and Hunter in the interior on passing downs would be a good idea this week.
Finding a way to beat this 49ers defense is really difficult. They have gotten beaten over the last few weeks of the season, but their defense was missing between 3-5 starters in those games. Now nearly at 100% health, I would expect their defense to be running smoothly. They have pass rushers to spare - the rookie Nick Bosa is a game plan-wrecker, Armstead is an elite run stopper and improved pass rusher, and Dee Ford can rotate in now that he's healthy. Ford has 6.5 sacks in just 226 snaps, which would be on pace for over 20 if he played the full year! In the interior, DeForest Buckner will be a menace for the Vikings' O-line to guard. He notched 3 sacks when he took Tom Compton to the trash in 2018. The other DTs aren't so frightening - Day is an undersized DT, and Solomon Thomas is a massive bust after being the 3rd overall pick, collecting just 6 sacks in 3 seasons.
The linebackers might just be the primary weakness of the 49ers defense, as they haven't defended the run very well. Fred Warner is the main man, providing very good play in coverage, but graded very poorly against the run. Kwon Alexander should be activated off the IR and will start alongside him, but has similar grades as Warner for the 2019 season. You won't see their 3rd LB very much, but the 5th round rookie Dre Greenlaw had a quality season and was the team's best run stopping LB.
Finally, the 49ers' DBs are no joke. Sherman, Ward, and Williams all ended up in PFF's top 10 in their respective positions. Sherman may not be as fast as other CBs, but he plays press coverage better than any of his contemporaries. Witherspoon is healthy and should play #2 to him, but former UDFA Moseley was vastly outplaying him. Ward is not a DB Cousins should mess with, as his coverage was good and his run defense was great. Rather, he should look to find Jaquiski Tartt, as his coverage grades were middling.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Vikings 17
The Vikings match up much better against the 49ers than the Saints, and if Zimmer can coach like he did against the Saints, the Vikings have a good shot at winning this one. However, I simply can't pick the Vikes to win against a good team on the road again, especially in an outdoor game against a crazy good defense. This one might turn out to be a defensive slugfest, decided by a FG at the very end.
Alright, what are your thoughts on this one?
Injuries
Vikings
CB Mack Alexander Out
S Jayron Kearse Doubtful
WR Adam Thielen Questionable
49ers
DE Dee Ford Questionable
DT Kentavius Street Questionable
Vikings
CB Mack Alexander Out
S Jayron Kearse Doubtful
WR Adam Thielen Questionable
49ers
DE Dee Ford Questionable
DT Kentavius Street Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Vikings played far better than I anticipated against the Saints. That certainly gives them some hope to beat the 49ers, especially defensively. Jimmy Garoppolo has had a penchant for turning the ball over this season - 13 interceptions and 10 fumbles - and doesn't do well against pressure. Adding to that fact that the 49ers offensive line is a big step down from the Saints', I have to say I like the Vikings' chances to rattle him. It's also worth mentioning that QBs starting their first game in the playoffs usually don't do well. The stats since 2002:
Home favorites: 5-16 Against the spread, 8-13 straight up
Combined Record: 15-34-1 ATS, 16-34 SU
Combined Record: 15-34-1 ATS, 16-34 SU
That's pretty bad. I suspect the 49ers will try to rely on their running game, which is a rotational group that has a lot of volatility from week to week. The current starter is Raheem Mostert, a 5th year special teamer who has come out of nowhere to post 772 yards this season on 5.6 YPA. Matt Breida is a quick runner who will likely take the #2 spot in the rotation. Tevin Coleman has been mostly phased out, but will play a role in the receiving game. I can't say I love the 49ers' chances running against the Vikings' D-line, as they just shut down the Kamara/Murray rotation.
The 49ers do have a strong arsenal to throw to. George Kittle is a monster as both a blocker and a receiver. Just putting Kendricks on him might not do it. Their WR group has been vastly improved since the start of the year - 2nd round rookie Deebo Samuel has stepped up and looked like a #1 WR lately, veteran Emmanuel Sanders is a tricky guy to cover in the slot, and quietly, Kendrick Bourne is having a strong year as the 3rd WR. Add in one of the NFL's best FBs in Juszczyk (pronounced YOUS-chick), and the 49ers should not have a problem getting guys open.
The key to winning the battle defensively will be to beat the O-line. The starting tackles are pretty good - Staley is a borderline Hall of Famer and McGlinchey is still improving - and like the Saints, their weaknesses lie in the interior. Tomlinson and Person both rank below average as run blockers, and replacement center Ben Garland has struggled in both phases of the game. Putting Griffen and Hunter in the interior on passing downs would be a good idea this week.
Finding a way to beat this 49ers defense is really difficult. They have gotten beaten over the last few weeks of the season, but their defense was missing between 3-5 starters in those games. Now nearly at 100% health, I would expect their defense to be running smoothly. They have pass rushers to spare - the rookie Nick Bosa is a game plan-wrecker, Armstead is an elite run stopper and improved pass rusher, and Dee Ford can rotate in now that he's healthy. Ford has 6.5 sacks in just 226 snaps, which would be on pace for over 20 if he played the full year! In the interior, DeForest Buckner will be a menace for the Vikings' O-line to guard. He notched 3 sacks when he took Tom Compton to the trash in 2018. The other DTs aren't so frightening - Day is an undersized DT, and Solomon Thomas is a massive bust after being the 3rd overall pick, collecting just 6 sacks in 3 seasons.
The linebackers might just be the primary weakness of the 49ers defense, as they haven't defended the run very well. Fred Warner is the main man, providing very good play in coverage, but graded very poorly against the run. Kwon Alexander should be activated off the IR and will start alongside him, but has similar grades as Warner for the 2019 season. You won't see their 3rd LB very much, but the 5th round rookie Dre Greenlaw had a quality season and was the team's best run stopping LB.
Finally, the 49ers' DBs are no joke. Sherman, Ward, and Williams all ended up in PFF's top 10 in their respective positions. Sherman may not be as fast as other CBs, but he plays press coverage better than any of his contemporaries. Witherspoon is healthy and should play #2 to him, but former UDFA Moseley was vastly outplaying him. Ward is not a DB Cousins should mess with, as his coverage was good and his run defense was great. Rather, he should look to find Jaquiski Tartt, as his coverage grades were middling.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Vikings 17
The Vikings match up much better against the 49ers than the Saints, and if Zimmer can coach like he did against the Saints, the Vikings have a good shot at winning this one. However, I simply can't pick the Vikes to win against a good team on the road again, especially in an outdoor game against a crazy good defense. This one might turn out to be a defensive slugfest, decided by a FG at the very end.
Alright, what are your thoughts on this one?
... and neither is this Chris guy.