49ers at Vikings Depth Chart Preview 2023
Oct 22, 2023 12:54:57 GMT -6
Reignman and Funkytown like this
Post by Danchat on Oct 22, 2023 12:54:57 GMT -6
After squeaking out a win against the lowly Bears, the Vikings face one of the best teams in the league coming off their first loss. Will they be able to pull their first big upset of the year or continue to prove that 2022 was a fluke?
Line: 49ers -6.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: 49ers -3.5
Injury Report
Vikings
LG Cleveland - Out
CB Evans - Questionable
49ers
WR Samuel - Out
LT Williams - Doubtful
HB McCaffery - Questionable
ILB Greenlaw - Questionable
* My Thoughts *
It is stunning to see how well this offense is running with a 7th round pick at QB and a rather sorry looking OL. Shanahan's ability to call plays that mystify defensive coordinators is the key to moving the ball. While Purdy is a system QB, he is very competent at executing what he needs to - he's got enough accuracy, enough arm, and some mobility that is enough to get the ball to his receivers. The run game is crucial, as McCaffery has been insanely good. Equally devastating in the run and pass game, it appears he will play and will be by far the best RB they've faced this year.
The 49ers will be down Deebo Samuel, which is a big hit, but Aiyuk has played at the level of a #1 WR so far. He's incredibly hard to cover 1-on-1 while Kittle is a tough cookie as well. Jennings is a big-bodied receiver who is used often for his blocking abilities, but he's not a shabby receiver either. McCloud will pick up the #3 WR reps but hasn't provided a whole lot.
Perhaps we need to doubt PFF's OL rankings, as this is a bad unit without Trent Williams. 3 of them (Burford, Brendel, and Banks) are graded as terrible pass protectors. This is hard to believe as Purdy gets sacked less than twice a game, while pressure wise Burford (16), Brendel (11), and McKivitz (11) are their leaders... compared to the far higher graded Vikings in Ingram (20!), O'Neill (10), and Cleveland (10). While this unit isn't as bad as PFF claims, they could be a problem if they are forced to abandon the run.
Defensively, this unit is a nightmare. Their DL is stacked with beastly pass rushers and run stuffers. 4 players have 80+ pass rusing grades and 13+ pressures - Bosa, Armstead, Hargrave, and Kinlaw. Kinlaw had been a bust so far due to injuries, but he seems to be erupting in Year 4. Drake Jackson, a second year 2nd rounder is sneaky good as he's 3rd in pressures. Adding Gregory could make it even more deadly with the ability to keep their DEs fresh.
The LB unit is still strong, though they would like to have Greenlaw healthy. Warner is one of the most underrated players in football as he's equally great in run stopping and pass coverage. Oren Burks, a former Packers 4th rounder has stepped up as their 3rd LB and has been graded far higher with San Fran compared to Green Bay.
San Fran pairs a deadly DL with a strong secondary as well. Signing Ward away from the Chiefs has been worth every penny as he can hang with other teams' top WRs. Lenoir has stepped up as a full-time CB and has been decent, which for most teams is all you can ask for your second corner. They paid Oliver in FA as one of the highest paid slot CBs and so far he's been worth the money. At safety, Gipson was thought to be past his prime but has been serviceable, but is a better tackler than in coverage. Hufanga had a pro bowl season in 2022 coming out of nowhere, but he hasn't quite lived up to that level so far this year.
Prediction: 49ers 33, Vikings 14
I think we get our first beatdown of the year, similar to a couple we received last year. Offensively I can't see how we move the ball against this unit. O'Connell's inability to get this offense working has me very worried, as the 49ers have the edge in the run and passing game. I like our defense's chances more but with the offense punting / turning it over and the 49ers likely to pick on Flores' blitzes, I suspect our defense starts out hot but gets worn down and then begins to bleed points.
Any thoughts?
Line: 49ers -6.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: 49ers -3.5
Injury Report
Vikings
LG Cleveland - Out
CB Evans - Questionable
49ers
WR Samuel - Out
LT Williams - Doubtful
HB McCaffery - Questionable
ILB Greenlaw - Questionable
* My Thoughts *
It is stunning to see how well this offense is running with a 7th round pick at QB and a rather sorry looking OL. Shanahan's ability to call plays that mystify defensive coordinators is the key to moving the ball. While Purdy is a system QB, he is very competent at executing what he needs to - he's got enough accuracy, enough arm, and some mobility that is enough to get the ball to his receivers. The run game is crucial, as McCaffery has been insanely good. Equally devastating in the run and pass game, it appears he will play and will be by far the best RB they've faced this year.
The 49ers will be down Deebo Samuel, which is a big hit, but Aiyuk has played at the level of a #1 WR so far. He's incredibly hard to cover 1-on-1 while Kittle is a tough cookie as well. Jennings is a big-bodied receiver who is used often for his blocking abilities, but he's not a shabby receiver either. McCloud will pick up the #3 WR reps but hasn't provided a whole lot.
Perhaps we need to doubt PFF's OL rankings, as this is a bad unit without Trent Williams. 3 of them (Burford, Brendel, and Banks) are graded as terrible pass protectors. This is hard to believe as Purdy gets sacked less than twice a game, while pressure wise Burford (16), Brendel (11), and McKivitz (11) are their leaders... compared to the far higher graded Vikings in Ingram (20!), O'Neill (10), and Cleveland (10). While this unit isn't as bad as PFF claims, they could be a problem if they are forced to abandon the run.
Defensively, this unit is a nightmare. Their DL is stacked with beastly pass rushers and run stuffers. 4 players have 80+ pass rusing grades and 13+ pressures - Bosa, Armstead, Hargrave, and Kinlaw. Kinlaw had been a bust so far due to injuries, but he seems to be erupting in Year 4. Drake Jackson, a second year 2nd rounder is sneaky good as he's 3rd in pressures. Adding Gregory could make it even more deadly with the ability to keep their DEs fresh.
The LB unit is still strong, though they would like to have Greenlaw healthy. Warner is one of the most underrated players in football as he's equally great in run stopping and pass coverage. Oren Burks, a former Packers 4th rounder has stepped up as their 3rd LB and has been graded far higher with San Fran compared to Green Bay.
San Fran pairs a deadly DL with a strong secondary as well. Signing Ward away from the Chiefs has been worth every penny as he can hang with other teams' top WRs. Lenoir has stepped up as a full-time CB and has been decent, which for most teams is all you can ask for your second corner. They paid Oliver in FA as one of the highest paid slot CBs and so far he's been worth the money. At safety, Gipson was thought to be past his prime but has been serviceable, but is a better tackler than in coverage. Hufanga had a pro bowl season in 2022 coming out of nowhere, but he hasn't quite lived up to that level so far this year.
Prediction: 49ers 33, Vikings 14
I think we get our first beatdown of the year, similar to a couple we received last year. Offensively I can't see how we move the ball against this unit. O'Connell's inability to get this offense working has me very worried, as the 49ers have the edge in the run and passing game. I like our defense's chances more but with the offense punting / turning it over and the 49ers likely to pick on Flores' blitzes, I suspect our defense starts out hot but gets worn down and then begins to bleed points.
Any thoughts?
