49ers vs. Vikings Total Pick
Will defense be the story when the Minnesota Vikings host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 1PM ET in the opening week of the NFL season?
Game Snapshot & Odds
455 San Francisco 49ers at 456 Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, September 9, 2018
1PM ET – U.S. Bank Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Vikings are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -6.5 points against San Francisco. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 46 points. The public betting for this game currently has 66 percent going on Minnesota at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NFL Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
49ers end 2017 on a high note
The 49ers were just 6-10 last season, but ended the 2017 season on a five-game winning streak. San Francisco ended up 9-7 against the spread and 8-8 with the over/under total. Kyle Shanahan is in his second season as head coach of the 49ers.
San Francisco finished the season averaging 20.7 points and 349.3 yards per game on offense last season. Things picked up toward the end when Jimmy Garoppolo was finally put under center. He finished the season with 1,560 yards and seven touchdowns with five interceptions. The team has some questions at running back after Jerick McKinnon suffered a season-ending injury last week. The team is hoping Matt Breida and Alfred Morris can pick up the slack. San Fran allowed 23.9 points and 351.6 yards per game on defense last year. The team is looking for some leadership. They added Richard Sherman in the offseason for that reason.
Vikings reach NFC Championship
The Minnesota Vikings went 13-3 last season and won the NFC North. The Vikings ultimately reach the NFC Championship, but were beat up by the Eagles. Minnesota was 11-7 against the spread for the season and 9-9 with the over/under total. Mike Zimmer is entering his fifth season as head coach. He is 39-25 through his first four years.
Minnesota had one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing just 15.8 points and 275.9 yards per game last season. That included just 83.6 rushing yards per game. The team added Sheldon Richardson to the defense in the offseason. They also have Everson Griffen, who had 13 sacks last year. Minnesota averaged 356.9 yards and 23.9 points per game on offense last year, but they are hoping for much more this season. They signed Kirk Cousins to a mega-deal and he has a pair of great receivers to work with in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Those two combined over for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Running back Dalvin Cook looked impressive early in his rookie year, but suffered a knee injury that ended his season. He is expected to be ready for Sunday.
NFL Betting Trends
San Francisco
The 49ers have hit the under in four straight season openers, but have hit the over in six of their last eight games on fieldturf.
Minnesota
The Vikings have hit the under in five of their last seven home games and in nine of their last 13 games in September.
Prediction:
The 49ers had a strong finish to last year, but this is a fresh start for everyone and Jimmy G is facing a really good Minnesota defense that will be at home with Super Bowl aspirations to open the year. The Vikings were not healthy most of last year and should be ready to make a statement in Week 1. I think the Vikings defense will give San Francisco a lot of issues, especially if the 49ers can’t establish any run game. For that reason, I like the under, as I don’t see Minnesota putting up 30+ points to make the over hit.
NFL Prediction: 49ers/Vikings Under 46