49ers vs Vikings pregame thread - Divisional Round 2019

Getting real anxious.
My three key matchups on each side of the ball:
MIN offense vs 49er defense:
1. RG Josh Kline vs DeForest Buckner: Buckner isn't the best at holding the point of attack on rush plays (double team man blocks), but MIN is predominantly an outside zone blocking rushing attack. So instead of having two blockers on Buckner trying to drive block and move him away off the LoS, MIN looks to move laterally. Penetration is very disruptive to outside zone and it's important that Buckner wins on early downs to force MIN out of run/pass neutral 2nd/3rd downs.

2. Dalvin Cook vs The Hot Boyz: MIN uses the least amount of 3WR sets in the league, opting to use lots of double TEs or a FB to keep defenses in base personnel. That means three LBs are going to be on the field a lot. If MIN stays committed to the run game, those LBs will have to keep well blocked run plays for 4 yards to just 4 yards, and not allow him to fall forward for 7 yards. MIN also looks to get Cook on the edge for passes, including screens, so open field tackling will fall on the shoulders of the LBs.

3. Stefon Diggs vs Ahkello Witherspoon: Thielen was hurt in practice and his effectiveness is up in the air. MIN may look to Diggs as the primary WR in this game and Witherspoon will most likely be challenged by Cousins. Giving up the occasional 8-10 yard pass will be fine, but giving up the big chunk play, or the big defensive PI would be back breaking.

49ers offense vs MIN defense:
1. Mike McGlinchey vs Danielle Hunter: Hunter can be very disruptive and will no doubt win on some reps. If McGlinchey can prevent those reps from being a clean beat, then Jimmy can at least have a sliver of time to cover up instead of facing immediate pressure on the dropback, which can lead to a turnover. Nothing wrong with being beat by a good pass rusher, but don't be a complete turnstile.

2. Slot WR vs S Andrew Sendejo: MIN has no true nickel CB due to injuries so they are using a safety to play slot CB. Whether it's Deebo or KBourne in the slot, this is a coverage mismatch and the WR has to win. 3rd downs and long 2nd downs are where this has to happen to keep the chains moving. If the 49ers can win this matchup, it opens up space for Kittle on the other side.

3. Ben Garland/RB vs blitz pressure up the middle: MIN doesn't blitz often, but when they do, they like to bring an effective blitz up the middle. Garland and the RB in the game are on the spot to sort out and handle the pressure. The difference between picking up the blitz up the middle, and not picking it up can be the difference between a nice gain or a sack. If Jimmy is methodically moving the ball, MIN will force the issue and bring their pressure packages.

Originally posted by Alfienator:

Originally posted by Thanos89:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Opposing offenses have a 72% success rate on the ground and are averaging 6.9 yards per carry when they use 21 personnel against the Vikings. You'll never guess who uses the most 21 personnel in the league

— KP 🏁 (@KP_Show) January 9, 2020

We gonna do what we do best. Run the ball. Throw in their DBs are trash city. I'm actually feel more confident as the game gets closer.

Mostert gonna have a monster game

You mean a Monstert game.

I can't believe so many of these so-called analysts are picking the Vikings.

Originally posted by FL9er:

Some talking points today:

"Who would you rather have; Cousins or Garoppolo?"

"Bigger liability, Kirk or Jimmy?"

"Was Jimmy G worth the contract San Francisco paid him??"



I have a great deal of respect for coach Zimmer, this will not be a comfortable game for 49ers fans, but the Vikings defense is not what they once were at their peak.

We have to be able to block their front. McGlinchey vs Hunter, interior OL vs the blitz. Minnesota's ability to dominate the 49ers pass protection is what will keep them in the game (or allow them to surge ahead).

Well if Minn is giving up 6.9 ypc against 21 personnel, I say we run the ball right down their throats and hit them with the play fakes and not have to worry too much about straight up pass pro.

Originally posted by Rascal:
I can't believe so many of these so-called analysts are picking the Vikings.

what???

http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

Originally posted by PRIMETIME21:

Originally posted by Rascal:
I can't believe so many of these so-called analysts are picking the Vikings.

what???

http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

and they were horrible last week... lol 1-3... best record was 2-2.... i was 3-1... nobody saw the Viqueens beating the Aints

Originally posted by Stevec9932:
i cant believe the disrespect this team gets...

OH its real, lots of talking heads not giving us a chance. All on that Kirk Cousins train.

We'll see how that goes for them come tomorrow about 4:45pm

GO NINERS!!!

Originally posted by TheRickestRick:

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by FL9er:

Some talking points today:

"Who would you rather have; Cousins or Garoppolo?"

"Bigger liability, Kirk or Jimmy?"

"Was Jimmy G worth the contract San Francisco paid him??"



I have a great deal of respect for coach Zimmer, this will not be a comfortable game for 49ers fans, but the Vikings defense is not what they once were at their peak.

We have to be able to block their front. McGlinchey vs Hunter, interior OL vs the blitz. Minnesota's ability to dominate the 49ers pass protection is what will keep them in the game (or allow them to surge ahead).

I don't know about this. We're not a drop-back-pass-every-down kind of team. Yes PP is important, but not as important as it is to the Saints that live and die by the pass. The Vikes have to prove they can stop a OZ running offense with a varied attack at all levels of the field. Play identification is going to be key for the Vikes D to be successful. One guess wrong is a huge gain. We're absolutely okay with long drives down the field. If we're winning on 1st down, this is going to be over pretty quickly.

Like its been for pretty much all season allot of the offensive success will be based on the lateral plays to keep any pass rush or blitz at bay. If JG has time I can see Sanders carving up Rhodes, who seems to struggle against the smaller quicker WRs. Some early success for Sanders to force the safeties to focus more on him and Kittle.. then Deebo will have a field day underneath.

I agree with the assessment that the pass protection is critical in this game. Jimmy will have to be surgical with his decision making and throws. He's pretty damn good at that, and I'd bet that Shanahan has some quick developing routes/hot reads for him if there's lots of pressure. I hope we do some bootlegs to give Jimmy extra time to find the open man for some decent gains.

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Originally posted by NinerBuff:
Do the Niners give up an opening drive TD and then lock in or does the defense come out gang busters?

They need to keep the intensity for the whole game, both offense and defense. Playoff teams are too good if you lose momentum and giving a window. Every team in the playoffs are capable of taking it and get a win.

Absolutely correct! 49ers can not afford to give up ANY points particularly since they lack a deep passing game/threat that can put a TD on the board quickly. I realize that the long, sustained drives composed of running the ball before using the short/intermediate passing game is good but a quick deep TD strike would put them in a much better position and do wonders for our in-game hypertension.

Originally posted by PRIMETIME21:
what???

http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

Niners fans. 201 Pages of Complaining about no one picking them.
Link provided showing EVERYONE picking them.
Niners fans criticizing those 49er pickers as being wrong too much!

Can't make it up.
Some people will do whatever they can to find disrespect where it isn't.

Originally posted by NinerGM:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Opposing offenses have a 72% success rate on the ground and are averaging 6.9 yards per carry when they use 21 personnel against the Vikings. You'll never guess who uses the most 21 personnel in the league

— KP 🏁 (@KP_Show) January 9, 2020

We gonna do what we do best. Run the ball. Throw in their DBs are trash city. I'm actually feel more confident as the game gets closer.

Most of this is coming from the Green Bay game which game them a lot of problems. We're Green Bay's offense on steroids with better personnel, both starters and depth maybe outside of QB.

Actually the bears/chargers/Denver (teams that played Minn) all run out of that personnel just as much or more than GB. SF runs more 21 than anyone by for though.

Hey Guys,

Not sure if i post this in here, but myself and my other buddy are coming to the game and we would like to join someones tailgate party if you're having one. We are happy to bring Beer,Snacks w/e anyone having one that we may join? Go Niners!!!

Originally posted by SteveYoung8:

Absolutely correct! 49ers can not afford to give up ANY points particularly since they lack a deep passing game/threat that can put a TD on the board quickly. I realize that the long, sustained drives composed of running the ball before using the short/intermediate passing game is good but a quick deep TD strike would put them in a much better position and do wonders for our in-game hypertension.

Well sure, but Vikes DBs are going to do their dead level best to prevent that. Anybody thinking that go out there and throw quick deep strikes is going to be permitted by Vikes is sadly mistaken. I like the idea but realistically, Vikes will be preventing that as their #1 job...plus, JimmyG isn't going to have 5 seconds ....let alone 7 seoonds...for those WRs to go deep.

Vikes DL is overmatched against our OL. I hope we can slow them down a bit but the Vikes D is going to be headhunting our QB and quickly at that. I hope we can get JG some time, but that will almost surely require #85 and #44 to stay in and help block. MN has a very good DL.

And is that what we want...having our #1 ball catcher (kittle) and our very good OW receiver (Au jus) stay in and block for long Quick strikes.? Not I. My guess is that is what MN is hoping for ...3 long quick strikes and....out. My guess is kyle gets running game going with 3-7 yrd passing game and goes from there. I think he will work into longer passing game but not until run game and short passing game has been established.

That said, i am no more right than you are. So 26 hrs from now we'll find out.

Originally posted by FaceTheFactsMN:

Originally posted by PRIMETIME21:
what???

http://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

Niners fans. 201 Pages of Complaining about no one picking them.
Link provided showing EVERYONE picking them.
Niners fans criticizing those 49er pickers as being wrong too much!

Can't make it up.
Some people will do whatever they can to find disrespect where it isn't.

Well, to be fair that is only one site and the picks are from some of their lesser known analysts, or at least less known to me since I don't watch ESPN. Several of the more high profile talking heads, like Mike Florio, who is mostly an idiot, and Gregg Rosenthal from the NFL Network are picking Minnesota. And although I haven't paid much attention to that aspect of the pre-game chatter yet it wouldn't surprise me if guys like Stephen A. Smith also ended up picking the Vikings because he doesn't have much respect for Jimmy G.

I think people will look at the Saints games and say, well the Viking's held them to under 30 pts and we let them score 40+ so obviously the Vikings are better than us and will win the game for that reason. I think it could be a close game but I have to go with the Niners in this one. I remember thinking that the team had a real chance of losing to Atlanta for no other reason than it seemed like they might be in for a let down game somewhere and that seemed to be the most logical place for it. Don't feel that way about this game though and will be legitimately surprised if they don't pull it out. Go Niners!!