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The first week of the NFL season offers a ton of intriguing encounters. He started with defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night football.
Richard Sherman will be the key to Sunday's 49ers success. (AP Photo / AJ Mast)
This week's list is not limited to an interesting game. Another match that should have fans on the edge of their seats brings the young 49ers from San Francisco to Minneapolis in a game against a team of Vikings that many are hoping to play for Lombardi.
Making his first regular season start as a member of the Vikings, the Kirk Cousins team is almost a touchdown favorite against the 49ers. He will face his former offensive coordinator in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
From San Francisco's point of view, this game offers the team a real opportunity to prove its value among the NFL's elite. A quarter of the newly elected franchise Jimmy Garoppolo will certainly seek to make a statement here.
Without further ado, here is a complete overview of the 49ers-Vikings game with a prediction for the masses at the end.
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo will have his hands full against one of the best defenses of the NFL. (AP Photo / Michael Conroy)
The speech of this game will be Garoppolo facing the Cousins. Both have recently received what was then record deals during the off season and both are considered franchisors.
Garoppolo set the new benchmark for quarterly pay in February, signing a $ 137.5 million five-year contract after just seven career starts. An unknown product for the most part, Garoppolo led San Francisco 5-0 in five starts after a mid-season New England Patriots exchange.
This stage included a brilliant performance in a 44-33-16-week win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although similar in terms of competition, taking Minnesota on the road will prove to be an even bigger test.
Garoppolo launched five interceptions in his five starts with the 49ers. He will be a player of great length and touch for the 49ers. He will also make his mistakes. With San Francisco averaging nearly 29 points in his five starts last season, Shanahan and Co. will take the lead with the bad.
Unfortunately, we could witness a lot more harm than good, Sunday afternoon. Minnesota was ranked second in the NFL against last season's pass and scored 73.0. By adding Sheldon Richardson and George Iloka to the off season, this unit has only been stronger.
It is quite difficult to assess the performance of the 49ers' defense against Cousins and Co. on Sunday. San Francisco has ranked in the last 11 NFL pass last season and has produced 27 touchdowns in the air.
However, this year's version of Robert Saleh's defense promises to be improved. The addition of Richard Sherman to team up with rising star Ahkello Witherspoon, changes the dynamics. With a strong security duo with Adrian Colbert and Jaquiski Tartt, San Francisco's defense should be strong.
The good news for Cousins is the lack of success of the 49ers. He had 30 total assists last season and released his first shooter bag in Elvis Dumervil's. No matter how much the San Francisco high school has improved, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs will destroy this unit if the 49ers are unable to provide a real race against the Cousins.
Moreover, Cousins was a real disaster in the face of past pressure. If San Francisco is able to enter the backfield, this could lead to mistakes on the part of the free high-priced signature.
Three 49ers players to watch
Matt Breida
Now that the running back Jerick McKinnon has been lost for the season due to a rift at the ACL, Shanahan and Co. are going to turn to this second year to open the regular year. An undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern, Breida performed well as a rookie last season. He averaged 5.6 yards per touch and went north 700 yards.
Having suffered a shoulder injury in the first pre-season game, Breida could be a bit rusty Sunday afternoon. This is certainly not good news, as Minnesota claims to be the best defensive line in the NFL and has conceded the second highest number of rushing yards last season.
Double Bowler Alfred Morris signed with San Francisco following Breida's initial injury. He performed well during the pre-season and has extensive knowledge of the Shanahan attack that dates back to their CD era. If Breida were to fight early, Morris would almost certainly take the starting position.
Equally important, San Francisco will need a balance in the attack to repel an elite Vikings level passing race and help Garoppolo to avoid making a game-changing mistake. It's there that Breida will come into play very early.
Fred Warner
Fred Warner has big shoes to fill for the suspended Reuben Foster. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)
Warner will begin his regular season debut alongside Brock Coyle, while linebacker Reuben Foster will be suspended for the first two games of the season and injured Malcolm Smith (imagine it).
If the BYU rookie's third round selection continues his strong pre-season performance during the regular year, he will eventually replace Smith as the linebacker of the starting WILL once Foster returns from suspension.
Warner is key in that he will be tasked both to face Kyle Rudolph in the passing game and to prevent run-off midfielder Dalvin Cook on the ground.
With a high level of athleticism and an ability to stand apart, Warner's role in Week 1 will be similar to that of Foster as a rookie last season. It is now up to him to perform well during his regular season debut.
Ahkello Witherspoon
It's no secret that this second-year bend is among the best young players in the game at this post. Last season, Witherspoon played the rookie role and progressed during training camp and the show year.
What better way to know Whereerspoon is than to compete with one of the most underrated receivers of the game: Adam Thielen?
With Sherman on the other side against Stefon Diggs (more details below), Witherspoon will be tested by Cousins. His performance will reveal the outcome of the game. It's safe.
Top Matchups
Stefon Diggs vs. Richard Sherman
Sherman never really followed the No. 1 receiver of the opposing team during his seven-year stint in Seattle. That should not change in San Francisco. It does not matter the week 1 against a team of Vikings who owns two receivers of type 1 in Diggs and Thielen.
Prevented from injury in the early stages of the camp, Sherman, 30, looked good in pre-season limited action. For the future Hall of Fame, this is redemption and proving that skeptics are wrong after his tenure in Seattle, concluded with a torn Achilles. Is it the same dominant player? Will quarterbacks continue to avoid his side? Andrew Luck answered this last question by throwing in Sherman's direction only once in the Indianers' pre-season win over the 49ers.
From the team's point of view, Sherman's week 1 performance will be revealing. If he is able to close Diggs without help, he will help Adrian Colbert to help him with Ahkello Witherspoon on Thielen.
It's the importance of a Sherman player. It changes the dynamics of the game. If the Pro Bowler four times turns out to be 100%, it will be an absolute godsend for San Francisco Sunday afternoon.
Joe Staley vs. Everson Griffen
A steady force, Joe Staley faces stiff competition on Sunday. (AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
Even at the age of 34 and entering his 12th season in the NFL, Staley remains one of the league's top three left tackles. Pro Football Focus has qualified as the best tackler last season. The site also ranked # 1 in terms of course blocking. Both areas will be essential if San Francisco is to get angry on Sunday.
Staley himself must pass a major test. Griffen has recorded 43.5 sacks in the past four seasons and remains one of the most regular riders in the NFL. If he is able to put pressure on Garoppolo, it will lead to an error or two. It's something that San Francisco can not afford with a margin of error that simply does not exist.
Final prediction: Vikings 27, 49ers 24
San Francisco will make it a game. It will cover the spread and will be close to making a major statement. But in the end, the teeming defense of Minnesota and the absence of Reuben Foster will be too difficult to overcome.
We expect the 49ers to lead a 24-20 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter before Cousins takes advantage of a low thrust to lead the Vikings to a home win.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo avoids the dreadful mistake by rushing north of the 250 meters with two scores en route to prove that detractors are wrong in the first week.
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The first week of the NFL season offers a ton of intriguing encounters. He started with defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night football.
Richard Sherman will be the key to Sunday's 49ers success. (AP Photo / AJ Mast)
This week's list is not limited to an interesting game. Another match that should have fans on the edge of their seats brings the young 49ers from San Francisco to Minneapolis in a game against a team of Vikings that many are hoping to play for Lombardi.
Making his first regular season start as a member of the Vikings, the Kirk Cousins team is almost a touchdown favorite against the 49ers. He will face his former offensive coordinator in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
From San Francisco's point of view, this game offers the team a real opportunity to prove its value among the NFL's elite. A quarter of the newly elected franchise Jimmy Garoppolo will certainly seek to make a statement here.
Without further ado, here is a complete overview of the 49ers-Vikings game with a prediction for the masses at the end.
Quarterbacks
Jimmy Garoppolo will have his hands full against one of the best defenses of the NFL. (AP Photo / Michael Conroy)
The speech of this game will be Garoppolo facing the Cousins. Both have recently received what was then record deals during the off season and both are considered franchisors.
Garoppolo set the new benchmark for quarterly pay in February, signing a $ 137.5 million five-year contract after just seven career starts. An unknown product for the most part, Garoppolo led San Francisco 5-0 in five starts after a mid-season New England Patriots exchange.
This stage included a brilliant performance in a 44-33-16-week win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although similar in terms of competition, taking Minnesota on the road will prove to be an even bigger test.
Garoppolo launched five interceptions in his five starts with the 49ers. He will be a player of great length and touch for the 49ers. He will also make his mistakes. With San Francisco averaging nearly 29 points in his five starts last season, Shanahan and Co. will take the lead with the bad.
Unfortunately, we could witness a lot more harm than good, Sunday afternoon. Minnesota was ranked second in the NFL against last season's pass and scored 73.0. By adding Sheldon Richardson and George Iloka to the off season, this unit has only been stronger.
It is quite difficult to assess the performance of the 49ers' defense against Cousins and Co. on Sunday. San Francisco has ranked in the last 11 NFL pass last season and has produced 27 touchdowns in the air.
However, this year's version of Robert Saleh's defense promises to be improved. The addition of Richard Sherman to team up with rising star Ahkello Witherspoon, changes the dynamics. With a strong security duo with Adrian Colbert and Jaquiski Tartt, San Francisco's defense should be strong.
The good news for Cousins is the lack of success of the 49ers. He had 30 total assists last season and released his first shooter bag in Elvis Dumervil's. No matter how much the San Francisco high school has improved, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs will destroy this unit if the 49ers are unable to provide a real race against the Cousins.
Moreover, Cousins was a real disaster in the face of past pressure. If San Francisco is able to enter the backfield, this could lead to mistakes on the part of the free high-priced signature.
Three 49ers players to watch
Matt Breida
Now that the running back Jerick McKinnon has been lost for the season due to a rift at the ACL, Shanahan and Co. are going to turn to this second year to open the regular year. An undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern, Breida performed well as a rookie last season. He averaged 5.6 yards per touch and went north 700 yards.
Having suffered a shoulder injury in the first pre-season game, Breida could be a bit rusty Sunday afternoon. This is certainly not good news, as Minnesota claims to be the best defensive line in the NFL and has conceded the second highest number of rushing yards last season.
Double Bowler Alfred Morris signed with San Francisco following Breida's initial injury. He performed well during the pre-season and has extensive knowledge of the Shanahan attack that dates back to their CD era. If Breida were to fight early, Morris would almost certainly take the starting position.
Equally important, San Francisco will need a balance in the attack to repel an elite Vikings level passing race and help Garoppolo to avoid making a game-changing mistake. It's there that Breida will come into play very early.
Fred Warner
Fred Warner has big shoes to fill for the suspended Reuben Foster. (AP Photo / Jeff Chiu)
Warner will begin his regular season debut alongside Brock Coyle, while linebacker Reuben Foster will be suspended for the first two games of the season and injured Malcolm Smith (imagine it).
If the BYU rookie's third round selection continues his strong pre-season performance during the regular year, he will eventually replace Smith as the linebacker of the starting WILL once Foster returns from suspension.
Warner is key in that he will be tasked both to face Kyle Rudolph in the passing game and to prevent run-off midfielder Dalvin Cook on the ground.
With a high level of athleticism and an ability to stand apart, Warner's role in Week 1 will be similar to that of Foster as a rookie last season. It is now up to him to perform well during his regular season debut.
Ahkello Witherspoon
It's no secret that this second-year bend is among the best young players in the game at this post. Last season, Witherspoon played the rookie role and progressed during training camp and the show year.
What better way to know Whereerspoon is than to compete with one of the most underrated receivers of the game: Adam Thielen?
With Sherman on the other side against Stefon Diggs (more details below), Witherspoon will be tested by Cousins. His performance will reveal the outcome of the game. It's safe.
Top Matchups
Stefon Diggs vs. Richard Sherman
Sherman never really followed the No. 1 receiver of the opposing team during his seven-year stint in Seattle. That should not change in San Francisco. It does not matter the week 1 against a team of Vikings who owns two receivers of type 1 in Diggs and Thielen.
Prevented from injury in the early stages of the camp, Sherman, 30, looked good in pre-season limited action. For the future Hall of Fame, this is redemption and proving that skeptics are wrong after his tenure in Seattle, concluded with a torn Achilles. Is it the same dominant player? Will quarterbacks continue to avoid his side? Andrew Luck answered this last question by throwing in Sherman's direction only once in the Indianers' pre-season win over the 49ers.
From the team's point of view, Sherman's week 1 performance will be revealing. If he is able to close Diggs without help, he will help Adrian Colbert to help him with Ahkello Witherspoon on Thielen.
It's the importance of a Sherman player. It changes the dynamics of the game. If the Pro Bowler four times turns out to be 100%, it will be an absolute godsend for San Francisco Sunday afternoon.
Joe Staley vs. Everson Griffen
A steady force, Joe Staley faces stiff competition on Sunday. (AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
Even at the age of 34 and entering his 12th season in the NFL, Staley remains one of the league's top three left tackles. Pro Football Focus has qualified as the best tackler last season. The site also ranked # 1 in terms of course blocking. Both areas will be essential if San Francisco is to get angry on Sunday.
Staley himself must pass a major test. Griffen has recorded 43.5 sacks in the past four seasons and remains one of the most regular riders in the NFL. If he is able to put pressure on Garoppolo, it will lead to an error or two. It's something that San Francisco can not afford with a margin of error that simply does not exist.
Final prediction: Vikings 27, 49ers 24
San Francisco will make it a game. It will cover the spread and will be close to making a major statement. But in the end, the teeming defense of Minnesota and the absence of Reuben Foster will be too difficult to overcome.
We expect the 49ers to lead a 24-20 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter before Cousins takes advantage of a low thrust to lead the Vikings to a home win.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo avoids the dreadful mistake by rushing north of the 250 meters with two scores en route to prove that detractors are wrong in the first week.
