Vikings VS 49ers Predictions

[DanAS]

After a heartbreaking loss against the Colts in week 2, how do you think things will play out in week 3 against the 49ers?

27-9.

I shouldn't even have to identify the winner. It's too early for a Harbaugh coached team to lose a trap game. And that's the only way the Vikes beat a good team -- when they get so overconfident that they hardly show up.

[canadaviking08]

I don't even want to make predictions because I am really scared this will get very ugly. I have no faith in that defense and our offense is facing one of the top defenses in the league. Unless the special teams can return a few for TD's after kickoffs because i don't see us making a stop in any of their offensive drives, then we will have a chance.

[Mothman]

LOLOLOL Niners are only 6 point favorites. I know Vikes are at home but SF should at least be -10.

Keep in mind, it's a betting line, not a prediction.

[Mothman]

I predict the Vikings will get their first INT of the season against SF. Why? If you include the playoffs, Alex Smith has the longest current streak of attempts without an INT. The irony of the Vikes breaking the streak is too much to resist.

I also think the Vikes will probably lose by 10+. Their only hope is that "On any given Sunday..."

[canadaviking08]

If I am a betting man, I am all over that -6 line! Are you kidding me? this is like taking a candy from a kid. Of course the line will jump later in the week once gamblers hit is hard lol...But we all know what they say about a sure thing, it is usually the opposite that happens lol...

[Crax]

37-17

This isn't going to be a fun game to watch.

I predict the Vikings will get their first INT of the season against SF. Why? If you include the playoffs, Alex Smith has the longest current streak of attempts without an INT. The irony of the Vikes breaking the streak is too much to resist.

That's so crazy that it makes sense. It'll be twice as good if it's a lineman that gets one.

[Pepper2Moss]

The only player that really frightens me on the 49ers offense is Vernon Davis. He'll probably go for 120 yards and a score. I'll say 24-14 49ers and hope its not a blowout.

[Crax]

Crabtree played pretty good in this last game. I'm not real confident in our secondary. I wonder if moss is going to show up with something to prove against the Vikings.

[VikingLord]

If Musgrave and Ponder continue to perform as they have up to this point, the game will be a bloodbath. The 49ers are way too fast up front to run against, and they likewise eat up short passes. To have any chance against the 49er front 7 the offensive line has to protect and the QB has to get the ball down the field. Unfortunately, two of the better passing offenses in the NFL last season couldn't do that so far this season, and the Vikings haven't even tried against two of the bottom feeders of the league, so it looks extremely unlikely this will be the game when the Vikes start doing anything different. Get ready to see a lot of AD, Gerhart, etc., getting stuffed for a small or no gain, and a LOT of Chris Kluwe punts.

I agree with the poster who wondered if the Vikes will cross mid-field. I think that is a real concern in this game with the way the offense has performed to this point. I wonder how many fumbles Ponder is going to have in this one? He's put on tape that he coughs it up under pressure, and the 49ers will be swarming him.

I'll hearken back to an infamous score: 41-0

[Mothman]

If Musgrave and Ponder continue to perform as they have up to this point, the game will be a bloodbath. The 49ers are way too fast up front to run against, and they likewise eat up short passes. To have any chance against the 49er front 7 the offensive line has to protect and the QB has to get the ball down the field.

I think what they really have to do is be able to make plays at all levels of the field. They need to be able to hit some passes down the field to open things up a little but being patient with the run and running effectively will be essential for the Vikings in this game. If they can't do that, the 49ers defense will kill Ponder and their power running game and ability to sustain drives will completely wear out the Vikings defense, a unit that's already given up quite a few long drives this season.

SF took away the deep ball against GB and Detroit, two teams that typically excel in that department. Consequently, it's hard to believe the Vikings will be successful if they throw downfield often. Those are low percentage plays, particularly against a defense as good as the 49ers. They need to be able to complete a few of those but if they try to force the issue, that will be the fastest path to the bloodbath you expect.

I agree with the poster who wondered if the Vikes will cross mid-field. I think that is a real concern in this game with the way the offense has performed to this point.

I'd say that's unlikely. The Vikes offense is flawed but they've actually moved the ball pretty well this season. What they've struggled to do is finish drives with TDs, execute consistently and get big plays down the field.

No matter how you slice it, a defense as good as SF presents a huge challenge.

[NextQuestion]

49ers- 27
Vikings- 10

Yup.

[BGM]

I am going to go against the grain and say the Vikes pull the upset. It is completely illogical and a major long shot, but if they execute, I really believe they can shock the Niners.

MN 27
SF 24

[PurpleKoolaid]

I am going to go against the grain and say the Vikes pull the upset. It is completely illogical and a major long shot, but if they execute, I really believe they can shock the Niners.

MN 27
SF 24

I have to ask, based on what? A guy feeling? That the Vikings are due a miricle? Because its not based on facts. We barely beat the worst team in the NFL (other then us) and lost to the third worst team.

[Purple bruise]

I have to ask, based on what? A guy feeling? That the Vikings are due a miricle? Because its not based on facts. We barely beat the worst team in the NFL (other then us) and lost to the third worst team.

Yeah, not sure if it is a "guy" feeling or a if it would take a "miricle" but every week there are major upsets and to think that the Vikes have zero chance, playing at home, is a little far fetched to me. I am not predicting a win but playing at home any thing is possible.
That being said, Allen's play or lack there of will make a difference as it has in the first 2 games. He has truly been a non-factor. Yes I know that he reached his hand up and knocked down a pass. That was wonderful except he was being effectively blocked at the time as he was all day. That play was certainly negated by his stupid 15 yard penalty called at a very crucial part of the game. Sorry but I am really down on his play this year.
I was impressed Griffin's play as limited as it was. My hope is that some day, sooner than later, he will be starting in place of Allen.

[BGM]

I have to ask, based on what? A guy feeling? That the Vikings are due a miricle? Because its not based on facts. We barely beat the worst team in the NFL (other then us) and lost to the third worst team.

I am guessing you missed the part where I said my prediction was illogical and a major long shot.

It's obvious that it will be a challenge finding positive things to carry us through this season. For me, an upset of one of the top teams in the NFL would be a nice start.

If you insist on something tangible... consider that many of the issues up to this point have to do with simple execution. Should somehow the moon and stars and planets converge in such a way that the football gods allow the Vikings to fire on all cylinders, they can win. A Harvin or Sherels return for TD, Ponder finding Rudolph in the end zone at least once, AD tacking on a couple of TDs and the defense finding a way to snag one or two INTs that stop SF drives, and the impossible becomes a possibility.

Of course, this being the Vikings... all bets are off.