In his Sunday morning predictions, NFL Network analyst and former 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci was asked who had the advantage in the matchup between San Francisco and the Vikings, and he chose Minnesota’s defense. While this is a reasonable choice, will it hold true? Defensive end Everson Griffen is a force to be reckoned with but defensive back Xavier Rhodes is nursing a hamstring injury. Rhodes was a full participant in practice on Friday and will likely play but was listed on the injury report as questionable.
Kyle Shanahan has had to adjust the 49ers offensive game plan with the loss of Jerick McKinnon and both Matt Breida and Alfred Morris will have to step up to be more pass catchers than they have in the past.