It is officially week seven of the NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. The 49ers are looking for a bounce-back game, after dropping to a 5-1 record in week six. Between monitoring injuries and having to travel to Minnesota, there is a lot to look for in this game. Here are the key matchups to watch for this weekend for the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers Defense Stopping Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings are currently 2-4, but Kirk Cousins is still the same quarterback he has been. He has had some rough interceptions this season, but he has also been putting up big numbers. It just depends on if the Vikings offense shows up or not. This season, Cousins has had 158 completions out of 235 attempts for 1,679 yards, according to ESPN. The key for this weekend will be for the defensive line to put as much pressure on Cousins as they can. So far this season, the quarterback has been sacked 15 times.
This season, the 49ers have had 15 sacks and 29 tackles for loss, according to ESPN. The addition of Randy Gregory could potentially be showcased. Last weekend Gregory had one sack and two tackles for loss. In game two with the 49ers, he may become a key player. With added pressure on Cousins, there will be inaccurate passes. The 49ers have had ten interceptions. If the 49ers can get turnovers, it will lead them to success.
San Francisco 49ers defense – Kym Fortino/San Francisco 49ers
Without Justin Jefferson, there will be more pressure on Cousins. The team has other solid receivers, such as tight end T.J. Hockenson, but Cousins will have to play his best this weekend. There are plays where he can throw to Jefferson no matter how many guys are covering him. The 49ers defensive backs will not let him do that against the other Minnesota receivers.
If the 49ers do stop the Minnesota passing game, that would mean they have to rush the ball more. The Vikings have averaged just 75 rushing yards per game. While anything can happen on any given Sunday, the San Francisco defense will not allow Minnesota to run the ball, especially with Dre Greenlaw returning.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (23) – Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers Run Game vs. Minnesota Vikings
The latest report regarding running back Christian McCaffrey is that his oblique injury will come down to pain tolerance. Given the game is on Monday, he is expected to play. If McCaffrey is allowed to play, expect him to be there. The team still will have Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason on the field as well, and they can be expected to get more reps on Monday as well.
In six weeks, the Vikings have allowed 112 rushing yards per game. Last weekend against the Cleveland Browns, the 49ers did struggle running the ball, but still, they averaged 223 rushing yards per game so far. If McCaffrey is healthy, fans should be able to see the 49ers from the first five games. Once they get momentum going they should be able to get downfield, but the carries will still be something to watch. Mason has been a solid guy for San Francisco, already scoring two touchdowns this season. Expect to see him get some chances this week.
49ers QB Brock Purdy (13) – Jason Miller/GettyImages
Brock Purdy vs. Minnesota Vikings Defense
This week it will be important to watch how quarterback Brock Purdy bounces back after a tough week six game. In the last drive of the game against the Browns, he stepped up and brought the team downfield. It didn’t work out, but it’s time for him to bounce back from a game he truly struggled in. The Vikings have allowed 218.8 passing yards per game this season. This is close to what the 49ers have put up each week, which is 223 passing yards per game.
Their defense also has had 18 sacks this season. Safety Harrison Smith has had three sacks this year, which will be something to watch this weekend. The 49ers will need to be able to pick up the blitz and give Purdy time to throw. The Vikings’ defense has only had three interceptions this season. Purdy threw his first one of the season last weekend. This goes along with the idea of seeing how Purdy bounces back this weekend.
This will be a big game for the San Francisco 49ers. There are now three teams in the NFC that are 5-1: the 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Detroit Lions. Following the game last weekend, each player openly spoke about the poor performance. This week they will be hungry for a win during Monday Night Football.
