Vegas Odds
The line opened up with the Vikings as a five-point favorite earlier in the week, but since then it’s moved favorably for the Vikings.
Here are the latest odds courtesy of our partners at OddsShark.
Odds
Line: Minnesota (-6.5)
Over/Under: 46
What likely moved the line in favor of the Vikings was the news that San Francisco running back Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL in practice. Signed to a four-year $30 million deal this offseason McKinnon would have been the 49ers starting running back if not for his injury.
With McKinnon now out the 49ers are left with Matt Breida, Alfred Morris, and Raheem Mostert. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk will also be available in the 49ers backfield.
Morris has six NFL seasons under his belt and was a star for the Redskins after posting three-consecutive 1,000 yard seasons to start his career.
Breida, an undrafted free agent entering his second year, is expected to miss time with a shoulder injury. That leaves head coach Kyle Shanahan with Morris, Mostert, and the fullback Juszczyk in his backfield this weekend against a very good Vikings defense.
San Francisco is also without linebacker Reuben Foster for two-games after the league suspended him under the Conduct and Substances Abuse Policy. Rookie Fred Warner, a third-round pick out of BYU, will start at middle linebacker.
Those two situations are a big reason the Vikings are favorites, but not just that, they’re the returning division champions coming off a miracle 13-3 season. San Francisco, on the other hand, didn’t win a game last year until Garoppolo stepped in.