49ers at Vikings stream, keys, predictions, odds, and more

Keys for San Francisco

Slow down Dalvin Cook

Minnesota is going to come out with their $84 million man in Kirk Cousins, but they’ll also be excited to use second-year running back Dalvin Cook.

After four tremendous games to start his career with the Vikings last year Cook tore his ACL and missed the final 12 contests of the regular season.

Minnesota added Latavius Murray last year and have him as insurance if Cook isn’t 100% this week, but he’s got a fracture of the talent Cook has. If the 49ers can slow down Cook they’ll have a chance.

See growth from the defensive line

San Francisco likely isn’t going to win the Super Bowl this year or even make the playoffs. What they want to see this year is growth from their young players, especially on defense.

Since 2015 the 49ers have invested three first round picks on their defensive line with DeForrest Buckner, Arik Armstead, and Solomon Thomas. The current regime in the Bay Area drafted only one of those players, but they’d obviously love to see the other two, Bucker and Armstead, pan out for them long-term.

Bucker has started all but one game in his first two seasons but his sacks were cut in half last year. Armstead, also his teammate at Oregon, has just 11 career starts in three years.

Getting those guys in-synch and seeing major production will lead to great thing in San Francisco.

Give Richard Sherman some help

Richard Sherman isn’t the best cornerback in football anymore, but don’t tell him that.

Sherman is coming off an achillies injury that cost him seven games last year in Seattle. Time will tell if Sherman lost a step, but coming off an achillies injury is not an easy task. Rotate him around and give him an extra man if needed.