49ers-Vikings Preview: To CMC, or Not to CMC?
If you think that the 49ers need Christian McCaffrey now, just wait until the playoffs! He is the engine that makes Kyle Shanahan's system roar, with 133 touches in just six games. The next highest is Deebo Samuel with only 38 touches. Kyle Shanahan has been unable to resist using McCaffrey heavily thus far this season. Now is the time. McCaffrey probably needed to rest, even without being injured, but now he has a torn oblique. Shanahan needs to protect McCaffrey from himself and from teams that have committed dangerous facemask penalties against him in the past three consecutive games. Forcing McCaffrey to rest won't be easy, but being an NFL coach was never supposed to be easy. Time for you to stand up, Kyle!
With Samuel ruled out and Trent Williams doubtful for the Vikings game, sitting McCaffrey could cause the 49ers to lose to Minnesota, that's OK. It's better to lose the battle, in order to win the war.
If the 49ers manage to win without their three best players on offense, a fringe benefit would be that Brock Purdy might finally be able to silence some of his critics who say he is just a system quarterback who can't succeed without the best group of weapons in football.
The Vikings will be without their super star receiver Justin Jefferson, who is arguably the best in football. Edge Marcus Davenport, who excels at both pass rushing and run defense, is also on injured reserve.
Jaylon Moore will play in place of Trent Williams at left tackle for the 49ers. Ray-Ray McCLoud is likely to get some of Samuel's reps. Hopefully, we will get to see more of Ronnie Bell in the game tonight.. Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason should get more work than usual. The 49ers should win the game, but I don't predict that they will score over 30 points or win by a large margin. My official score prediction is 49ers 24 - Vikings 17.
