Key Matchups: 49ers-Vikings

by Andrew Pasquini – Sports 1140 KHTK

The San Francisco 49ers open their 2018 season with a trip to US Bank Stadium to take on the defending NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings. Sunday marks the start of year two of the Kyle Shanahan era and the first full season of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The 49ers are coming of a season where they started 1-10 but finished 6-10 after naming Garoppolo the starting quarterback. The Vikings finished last season with a record of 13-3, reaching the NFC Championship game before falling to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Here’s three matchups that could dictate the result of the game:

Mike McGlinchey vs Danielle Hunter

The 49ers first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft makes his NFL debut at right tackle against one of the better defensive ends in Danielle Hunter. Hunter is entering his fourth season in the NFL coming off a season where he finished with seven sacks. His ability to speed rush from the edge could cause problems for the rookie. McGlinchey is going to have to keep Hunter away from Garoppolo and create holes for the running game in order for the 49ers offense to have a productive game.

Matt Breida/Alfred Morris vs the Vikings front seven

With Jerrick McKinnon tearing his ACL last week in practice, the 49ers backfield will be by committee with Breida and Morris splitting the carries. They face a tough task against the Vikings defense who last season allowed only 83.5 rushing yards per game, good for second fewest in the NFL and only allowed 59 first downs on runs, good for first.

Breida is entering his second season in the NFL after a rookie campaign where he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Breida does shine after contact and with Hunter and Everson Griffin applying pressure, Breida’s ability to break tackles might be important for success tomorrow.

Morris on the other end has only been with the 49ers for a few weeks now, signing after McKinnon was dealing with a less severe injury, could be a wild card against the Vikings. He has spent the last two seasons as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys, rushing for just 790 yards in those seasons. Morris hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards on a season since 2014 when he was with Washington. His two most successful seasons in Washington were 2012 and 2013 when he rushed for 2,888 yards under offensive coordinator now 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Richard Sherman vs Stefon Diggs/Adam Thielen

Sherman is entering his age thirty season and is coming off of a torn Achilles. Sunday will be his first regular season game since Week 9 last season when he suffered the injury against the Arizona Cardinals. His first matchup as a 49er will be a tough one as he will hold down the left side of the field against Diggs and Thielen. Throw in new quarterback Kirk Cousins and Sunday could be a long day for the three-time All-Pro corner.

It’s no secret how good Sherman can be but it comes down to how he recovers from the Achilles. If Sherman can be as good as he has been, him dealing with the best duo of receivers in the NFC shouldn’t be a problem but if he is rusty or shows any signs of wear, it could be a good day for Cousins, Diggs, and Thielen.

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