Vikings Territory Week 1 Picks and Predictions
Drew Mahowald
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Four members of the Vikings Territory team will predict the outcome of each game during the NFL season and offer a score prediction for each Vikings game. Here are the predictions for Week 1.
(predicted winner in BOLD)
Drew Mahowald
Falcons at Eagles
49ers at Vikings (23-16)
Bills at Ravens
Jaguars at Giants
Bucs at Saints
Texans at Patriots
Titans at Dolphins
Bengals at Colts
Steelers at Browns
Chiefs at Chargers
Seahawks at Broncos
Cowboys at Panthers
Redskins at Cardinals
Bears at Packers
Jets at Lions
Rams at Raiders
Vikings-49ers Analysis: It appears as if the Vikings offense is still working out a few kinks, but Mike Zimmer’s defense fired on all cylinders during the preseason and is coming off a phenomenal season in which it allowed less than 12 points per game at home. Though Jimmy Garoppolo is undefeated as a starter in his career, he hasn’t dealt with a defense of the Vikings’ caliber.
Sean Borman
Falcons at Eagles
49ers at Vikings (24-17)
Bills at Ravens
Jaguars at Giants
Bucs at Saints
Texans at Patriots
Titans at Dolphins
Bengals at Colts
Steelers at Browns
Chiefs at Chargers
Seahawks at Broncos
Cowboys at Panthers
Redskins at Cardinals
Bears at Packers
Jets at Lions
Rams at Raiders
Vikings-49ers Analysis: As much as I believe Jimmy Garoppolo is the real deal, I like the Vikings in this Week 1 matchup because of the loss of former Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending injury. The Vikings suffocating defense will force the 49ers offense to be even more one-dimensional than it would be with Jet in the backfield.
I predict a fair amount of success through the air for Jimmy G, who is 5-0 since becoming the starter in San Fran, but the Vikings are stacked on both sides of the ball and have the home field advantage.
As long as special teams are not an issue and the purple pocket protectors can contain DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, the Vikings should be able to put up enough points (with Dalvin Cook back) to get past the 49ers and hand Garappolo his first loss ever as a starter.
Nick Olson
Falcons at Eagles
49ers at Vikings (27-20)
Bills at Ravens
Jaguars at Giants
Bucs at Saints
Texans at Patriots
Titans at Dolphins
Bengals at Colts
Steelers at Browns
Chiefs at Chargers
Seahawks at Broncos
Cowboys at Panthers
Redskins at Cardinals
Bears at Packers
Jets at Lions
Rams at Raiders
Vikings-49ers Analysis: San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and Garoppolo put together a strong attack to put some good points up on the board and cause a stir early, but the Vikings offense outpaces them anyway.
Tyler Haag
Falcons at Eagles
49ers at Vikings (21-10)
Bills at Ravens
Jaguars at Giants
Bucs at Saints
Texans at Patriots
Titans at Dolphins
Bengals at Colts
Steelers at Browns
Chiefs at Chargers
Seahawks at Broncos
Cowboys at Panthers
Redskins at Cardinals
Bears at Packers
Jets at Lions
Rams at Raiders
Vikings-49ers Analysis: Week 1 is always a little bit tougher for the offense and the 49ers just lost Jerick McKinnon, who was expected to be a large part of their offense, for the season. I think that loss and the always tough Vikings defense will be too much for Jimmy G and the 49ers offense to overcome. I don’t expect the Vikings to be overly impressive on offense but Kirk Cousins and company will score enough points to win this game comfortably.