Divisional Round: Vikings/49ers Pre-Game Thread

[J. Kapp 11]

The more I think about the 49ers and their strength at tight end, the more I think we'll see another Zimmer wrinkle.

I give you: Jayron Kearse at big slot corner.

Kearse has the size and speed to stay with George Kittle. Like most teams, our linebackers don't have the speed to stay with him deep, and our regular safeties are too light. But Kearse ... that might be where Zimmer goes. Kinda like the Griffen/Hunter playing DT on passing downs against the Saints. The Wrinkle.

[Texas Vike]

A major element in how we do in this game is related to how healthy our key guys are. Cook started the NO game super fresh and explosive like he was early in the season. As the game went on, he was seen on the sidelines at times that were odd. Yes, he had a problem with his visor, but in the second half there were long stretches where he was out. He also seemed a bit hesitant to take on contact. I really hope he's 100%, or as close as possible.

Our secondary is the other place where we have a lot of guys dinged up. Both Rhodes and Waynes got nicked up during the NO game and we're already down Mac and Hughes.

[Dames]

The more I think about the 49ers and their strength at tight end, the more I think we'll see another Zimmer wrinkle.

I give you: Jayron Kearse at big slot corner.

Kearse has the size and speed to stay with George Kittle. Like most teams, our linebackers don't have the speed to stay with him deep, and our regular safeties are too light. But Kearse ... that might be where Zimmer goes. Kinda like the Griffen/Hunter playing DT on passing downs against the Saints. The Wrinkle.

You may be on to something there. On paper that seems like a great idea. Kittle is a monster, and he would be an obvious mismatch against our LBs I think.

[808vikingsfan]

Pretty surprised. Not one mention of Nick Bosa yet. Watched the entire SF SEA game and Nick Bosa wreaked havoc. It's this kind of game I wish the Vikings had a scrambler or an athletic QB that can be a running threat. Vikings are going to have to scheme to take out Bosa to have any chance in this game. With Ford expected to return, this may be the toughest DL the Vikings have faced all year.

[CharVike]

Pretty surprised. Not one mention of Nick Bosa yet. Watched the entire SF SEA game and Nick Bosa wreaked havoc. It's this kind of game I wish the Vikings had a scrambler or an athletic QB that can be a running threat. Vikings are going to have to scheme to take out Bosa to have any chance in this game. With Ford expected to return, this may be the toughest DL the Vikings have faced all year.

How about a better LT. That would work also. I'm not a big fan of running QBs. Sooner or later say bye bye. Some of these guys run like RBs. That's stupid. RBs have short careers as a whole. They take many hits. But what ever works. I know nothing about this 49er team. Didn't the Seahawks move the ball on them both times? Hopefully we look at what they did. I'm sure they are.

[PacificNorseWest]

The more I think about the 49ers and their strength at tight end, the more I think we'll see another Zimmer wrinkle.

I give you: Jayron Kearse at big slot corner.

Kearse has the size and speed to stay with George Kittle. Like most teams, our linebackers don't have the speed to stay with him deep, and our regular safeties are too light. But Kearse ... that might be where Zimmer goes. Kinda like the Griffen/Hunter playing DT on passing downs against the Saints. The Wrinkle.

I agree. And I think they already utilized him against a TE like that already this season, didn't they? Against Philly (Ertz) or KC (Kelce), maybe?

It might've been Philly cause I remember it working out well.

[Maelstrom88]

Initial thoughts before watching much film on 49ers:

Their pass defense and pass rush is outstanding. Armstead, Bosa, Buckner, and Ford had 10, 9, 7.5, and 6.5 sacks respectively. That's impressive. They ranked number 1 in pass defense and give up an average of 169 pass yards per game.

While they don't have any rusher over a thousand they had two with about 700 each and both averaged over 5 yards a carry.

The key will be making them one dimensional and getting after Jimmy with 4 guys. I would use Kearse and Kendricks on Kittle. Deebo is great at route running and getting YAC yards. Emanuel Sanders is still a long ball threat as well.

On offense I think we are going to be looking at a lot of stacked boxes. 8 men near the line and a lot of zone looks daring Kirk to beat them deep before their pass rush can get to him. I think our offense is going to need help with field position and they're going to need the defense to get turnovers.

I plan on watching a lot of film on them this week but they are obviously a very good team. However, they did lose to Atlanta just like New Orleans so they are mortal.

[Purple Domination]

See the article below from a San Fran outlet. I didn’t realize we had such a good year against TEs. I remember the Hooper and Waller (ouch!) games too well. Cook had some nice grabs yesterday too.

https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Ge ... 953518.php

[Pondering Her Percy]

The more I think about the 49ers and their strength at tight end, the more I think we'll see another Zimmer wrinkle.

I give you: Jayron Kearse at big slot corner.

Kearse has the size and speed to stay with George Kittle. Like most teams, our linebackers don't have the speed to stay with him deep, and our regular safeties are too light. But Kearse ... that might be where Zimmer goes. Kinda like the Griffen/Hunter playing DT on passing downs against the Saints. The Wrinkle.

I love this idea. I really thought he’d be playing that spot against NO and I didn’t even see him on the field. I think he could handle kittle

[Rhodes Closed]

As the ever big optimist.

I got 1987 feels, boys. And you know what, there isn't any Redskins to stop us now. Let's kick some 49er ####.

[PacificNorseWest]

My biggest worry is secondary injuries and the short rest. I'm gonna assume Rhodes will be out there, but that unit is banged up.

[Dames]

My biggest worry is secondary injuries and the short rest. I'm gonna assume Rhodes will be out there, but that unit is banged up.

That's a big worry for me too. We are dangerously thin back there. It's really important that our pass rush is there again Saturday, because that made a huge difference vs the Saints. If not, it could be a long day for the defense.

By the way, It doesn't look like Mac will be back for a while. He's meeting with doctors to determine if he needs surgery

[mansquatch]

Vikings D has given up a single TD to a TE all season. FYI

[cmoss84]

Are the niners a defense vulnerable to screen plays? Obviously they are stingy and have a top-notch pass rush...but can we use their aggressiveness to our advantage? Does anyone have any stats on this?

[Dames]

Are the niners a defense vulnerable to screen plays? Obviously they are stingy and have a top-notch pass rush...but can we use their aggressiveness to our advantage? Does anyone have any stats on this?

I don't have the stats, but on the highlights they appear to be most vulnerable to screens and play action, and outside runs. If that's true, that is right in our wheel-house. Most vulnerable is relative though, because they are really good against everything. I'm certainly not predicting that we'll easily score, but I think we can move the ball.