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

By George Stockburger

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 18: Stefon Diggs #14 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings speak during warmups before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 18: Stefon Diggs #14 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings speak during warmups before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Vikings to watch

Kirk Cousins

Of course, the star quarterback making the first fully-guaranteed contract of it’s kind in NFL history is going to be someone to watch.

Minnesota opens their season at home where Cousins will enter under an echo of “Skol” chants. There’s tremendous pressure on Cousins to do what Case Keenum did last year, and that’s to get the Vikings to the NFC Championship game, and no worse.

This is a team capable of winning a Super Bowl, and they’ve invested a lot of money in Cousins to get them there. Will he thrive or fall under pressure?

Dalvin Cook

As mentioned earlier, Cook is coming off a season-ending knee injury, but that won’t diminish his or the fan’s expectations this year. Cook can absolutely churn out a couple 1,000 yard seasons in his career, but not if he’s injured.

Minnesota will be cautious with Cook early, and with Murray coming back the Vikings offense won’t miss a step. Hopefully, Cook will be back to his elite self and plowing through defenses once again.

Mike Hughes

Cornerback Mike Hughes of the “National Champion” UCF Knights was selected 30th overall by the Vikings this year. He’s the fourth defensive back the organization has drafted in the first round since 2012, joining Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Harrison Smith.

Minnesota has drafted a cornerback every year for more than a decade, so the history of finding defensive backs in the draft is there. Hughes won’t be called upon to be the number one guy right away, but expectations are high for everyone in Minnesota. We’ll see if Garoppolo targets Hughes early.

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