Welcome to the Vendetta 2020 NFL Divisional round preview. We have a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings traveling to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. San Francisco holds the number one seed with a bye and homefield as the Vikings are fresh off an upset win over the Saints on the road. Which I was way wrong about. I gave the Vikings no shot and boy, was I wrong. Okay, here we go. Here’s 3 reasons why each team can advance to the NFC championship game.
2020 NFL Divisional Round Preview: Minnesota At San Francisco
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 – 4:35 ET
Point Spread: San Francisco -7
Why The Vikings Will Win
1: Dalvin Cook Is Back
The Vikings are a different team when Dalvin Cook is healthy and feeling good. He was a huge question mark going into the wildcard round, but it’s clear he’s healthy and good to go. The box score doesn’t look overly sexy from the Saints game (28 carries 94 yards, 2 touchdowns) but Cook made an impact on the game. Teams game plant to stop the run and it opens up the entire pass game for Kirk Cousins. If the Vikings can run the ball, they can beat anybody.
2: Monkey Is Off The Back Of Kirk Cousins
Everybody knows the story. Kirk Cousins can’t win the big one. Well, he just did. Kirk Cousins just outdueled Drew Brees. Better yet, he took the first possession in overtime and brought his team right down the field and scored a touchdown. Maybe it’s time to look at Cousins and say he can be an asset. No, he’s not elite, but you can do worse. Jimmy Garoppolo is the better QB, but by how much? Statistically, it’s hard to argue against Cousins. If he can beat Drew Brees, he can beat Jimmy G.
3: Vikings Talent Level Can Match Anyone
It’s hard to find a better roster than the Vikings. They match up with anybody. Elite running back, two elite wide receivers, two solid tight ends, two elite edge rushers, monster nose tackle, defensive player of the year candidate with Eric Kendricks, and one of the best safeties in football, Harrison Smith. The Vikings are loaded. This is a team that can beat anybody and given Sunday because this roster is dangerous.
Kyle Shanahan is about as good as it gets. Mike Zimmer is pretty damn good himself. There was not coaching mismatch in the game against New Orleans. Mike Zimmer knows what he’s doing. Minnesota will not be outschemed and won’t be outmatched with talent. Hard not to be competitive every week with that formula.
Why The 49ers Will Win
1: Homefield and Bye
It’s a huge advantage to have the number one seed and a bye. The last 12 road teams to play on Saturday in the Divisional round have lost. Not to mention that the Vikings are coming off a hard fought game that went into overtime. The 49ers are coming off a bye. One team is well rested. The other played 5 quarters of football. Minnesota is 2-4 on the season away when they don’t play in a dome. San Francisco is 13-3 with an extra week to prepare. Don’t over think this one.
2: 49ers Defensive Front Wins The Game
If the Vikings have one weakness, it’s that they don’t have the greatest offensive line in the world. Minnesota has given up 32 sacks on the better which is slightly better than league average. This is more of a Gary Kubiak story than a personnel story.
Now they’re going up against this monster unit. Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Soloman Thomas, Sheldon Day, etc. I’ll put my money on those guys. Nick Bosa hasn’t been stopped all year. Why would Minnesota be any different?
3: Joe Staley And Mike McGlinchey Won’t Break
Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffin can wreck any gameplan. The 49ers have good tackles with Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey. The Vikings edge rushers might get theirs but they won’t kill San Fran’s tackles. I also think there’s a scheme element here. The Vikings play their defensive ends real wide. With the way the 49ers run the ball with the zone scheme, I think they can create real running lanes against Minnesota.
I think the Vikings run ends here in the 2020 NFL Divisional round. Kirk Cousins winning a playoff game is one thing. It’s another thing to advance to the NFC title game. With how good the 49ers have been all year playing at home with a bye, San Francisco feels like the right pick.
