49ers Look to Improve to 3-0 With Win Over Vikings: Preview and Prediction Here
By Baily Deeter
The San Francisco 49ers dominated when playing the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. So, there’s almost no one that is picking against the 49ers when they take on the Minnesota Vikings today.
San Francisco looks to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 1998, and they can do so by beating the Vikings. Adrian Peterson, the star Vikings running back, will try to lead the Vikings to a shocking victory against an amazing 49er run defense. However, Peterson thinks it’s possible. Why? Because, apparently, the Niners haven’t faced a rushing attack like the Vikings have.
Last year, the 49ers didn’t allow a rushing touchdown until Week 16. That is unheard of, yet the Niners managed to do it. They didn’t let Cedric Benson or Kevin Smith break loose for a rushing touchdown in Weeks 1 or 2, and they’re looking to stop Peterson and Gerhart this week. Oh, and they want to get some offense going, too.
Blaine Gabbert and Andrew Luck both did well against the Vikings, so it’s safe to say that Alex Smith will have a good game. His offensive line has been buying him time in the pocket, and that will happen again today. Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Mario Manningham dominated a depleted Lions secondary last week, and they’re looking to dominate a mediocre secondary again this week.
Christian Ponder, the Vikings quarterback, will have a huge impact on how this game turns out. Peterson and Gerhart won’t overpower the 49ers rushing defense, so if Minnesota wants to score, they’ll need another great performance from Ponder. Last week, he completed 27 of 35 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and a 114.6 passer rating.
However, that was against the Colts, who are much worse than the 49ers on defense (and offense). Aldon Smith will take on rookie LT Matt Kalil, which will make for an interesting matchup. Smith could take advantage of Kalil’s youth and haunt Ponder, or Kalil could continue to protect Ponder well. Justin Smith will also be looking for his first sack, while Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman will continue to stop the run and protect short passes.
I don’t think the Vikings will have much of a chance in this one. Minnesota ranked 26th last year in passing defense (although their secondary is improved), and Alex Smith hasn’t thrown an interception in nine games (and he is a much better quarterback). The Vikings have a good run defense, but Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter have been spectacular. Minnesota won’t be able to stop both, and if they put too many guys up front to stop Gore, Smith will take advantage.
So, in summary, Minnesota’s defense will have problems, and so will their offense.
I think Aldon Smith will overwhelm Kalil, and I expect Justin Smith to get in on some of the fun. I don’t think the Vikings will have any success running the ball, and I think the pressure provided by the 49ers’ D-line and the skill of their defense will overwhelm Ponder. Minnesota won’t exceed 20 points, while San Francisco won’t score any lower than 20. I think San Francisco wins in blowout fashion, 34-10.