Vikings vs. 49ers: Thoughts & Expectations

[huangjian123]

The long awaited start of the Vikings regular season is just a few days away Womens Trae Waynes Jersey , and expectations are high going into the Vikings first home game against the 49ers.Here’s a few matchups I’m looking at:CAN THE VIKINGS RUN ON THE 49ERS DEFENSE?It will be interesting to see how the Vikings offense line fares on Sunday, with Brett Jones at center and Tom Compton at left guard, in addition to Reiff at left tackle, Remmers at right guard and Rashod Hill at right tackle.The 49ers have DeForest Buckner on their defensive line, but even his run defense wasn’t that great last season, and everybody else along the 49ers DL was worse. Beyond that, the 49ers will be starting a couple unproven linebackers - including rookie 3rd round pick Fred Warner.Malcolm Smith missed all of last season, and hasn’t fared well in the three seasons prior to that.Smith was also limited in practice yesterday with a hamstring issue.The 49ers top LB - Reuben Foster - will be out serving a suspension.Expect the Vikings to test the 9ers’ LBs early and often with both run and pass, which could lead to big games for Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray.HOW GOOD IS RICHARD SHERMAN THESE DAYS?It will be interesting if Kirk Cousins throws much into Sherman’s coverage. Sherman has been a shut-down corner for a long time, but started showing his age last season before he suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him the rest of the season in Seattle.Now with the 9ers, and with just 34 snaps in preseason, how well will he play?WELCOME TO THE NFL MIKE MCGLINCHEYOn offense, the 49ers will be starting rookie first-round pick Mike McGlinchey at right-tackle. He was mediocre in preseason, and will be facing off against Danielle Hunter, who may give him a rather rude welcome to the NFL.JIMMY G VS. MIKE ZJimmy Garoppolo has been in the league for several years now, but still has just over a handful of games under his belt. Look for Mike Zimmer and the Vikings defense to throw a lot of different looks at him, with lots of pre-snap movement to get in his head. And if the 9ers aren’t able to put together an effective ground game without Jerick McKinnon, it could be a long and painful outing for Jimmy G, who can throw the occasional INT.I wouldn’t be surprised to see the return of the double-A gap blitz look against the 49ers’ interior OL and Jimmy G, among other things.Sheldon Richardson had his best game (largely due to run defense) last season at the 49ers week 12.The 49ers OL outside of Joe Staley at LT (who is a stud), will be tested against the Vikings DL.SPECIAL TEAMSWith all the issues the Vikings had in preseason on special teams, combined with the new specialists and returners, it will be interesting to see how the Vikings fare on special teams.I’m hoping for a mistake-free game on special teams, but with a new punter, kicker, holder Youth Adam Thielen Jersey , returner, special teams players, and new rules,anything could happen. Hopefully it will be uneventful.BOTTOM LINEThe 49ers had a lot planned for Jerick McKinnon in their offense this year, so losing him for the season with an ACL tear was a big blow. Losing MLB Reuben Foster to suspension for two games will hurt too.Still, Jimmy G looks like the real deal and he’s got a couple good receivers to throw to in Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. But Mike Zimmer and the Vikings defense in the roar of the crowd at US Bank stadium isn’t about to let a young QB steal the show, especially absent a decent ground game.I’m looking for a dominant defensive performance from the Vikings to start the season, with an impressive ground game making things easier for Kirk Cousins in his debut as a Viking, and a comfortable Vikings win.27-13.Vikings to honor Tony Sparano before Saturday’s game On Saturday, prior to their preseason contest at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Minnesota Vikings will pay tribute to their former offensive line coach, Tony Sparano.According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Sparano’s wife Jeanette, his daughter Ryan, and his son Tony, Jr., will serve as honorary captains for Saturday’s game. Tony Sparano, Jr., is the current assistant offensive line coach for the Jaguars.The family will be presented with a painting of Sparano, and a tribute video will be shown prior to the game, followed by a moment of silence.Former Vikings’ offensive lineman Joe Berger will also be given the honor of sounding the Gjallarhorn prior to kickoff of Saturday’s game. Berger played under Sparano on three different teams: the Dallas Cowboys from 2006 to 2008, the Miami Dolphins in 2010 and 2011, and the Vikings in 2016 and 2017.The Vikings are also wearing a decal on their helmets this season to honor Sparano’s memory.Sparano passed away just days before the start of Training Camp as a result of suffering cardiac arrest. The team delayed the official start of camp for a day so that the organization could attend his memorial service.Kickoff between the Jaguars and the Vikings is at noon Central time on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. If you want to see the tribute to Coach Sparano, make sure you get there well ahead of time.
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