Vikings Significant Underdogs vs. 49ers Despite SF's Injury Questions

The Vikings must be getting a bit of whiplash from the way their schedule has them bouncing between playing the NFL's worst teams and some of its best.

After tough losses against the Eagles and Chargers dropped the Vikings to 0-3, they got their first victory in Week 4 against a Panthers team that is still winless after six weeks. Then they had to return home to face the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Similarly, after beating the hapless Bears in Chicago on Sunday, the 2-4 Vikings now face a massive challenge in hosting the 5-1 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night.

San Francisco has a strong case as the best team in the league so far. The Niners rank No. 1 in DVOA, with a healthy lead over the Lions (!) in second place. They rank second in offensive DVOA and fifth on defense. Looking at expected points added per play, they're second on offense and third on defense. SF trails only the Dolphins in points per game (30.7) and has allowed fewer points per game (14.5) than anyone else. Before a surprising one-point loss to the Browns and their elite defense last week, the 49ers had started 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 19.8 points.

This is a star-studded, well-rounded team that is currently favored to win the Super Bowl, according to Vegas odds. To say the Vikings have their work cut out for them would be an understatement.

One thing that could give the Vikings some hope is that the 49ers have injury questions surrounding several of their most important players. Christian McCaffrey, who ranks second in the league in both yards from scrimmage and touchdowns, is dealing with an oblique injury. Trent Williams, who is maybe the best left tackle in football, has an ankle injury. Deebo Samuel has a shoulder issue.

None of the injuries are considered long-term, according to reports, and all three players have a chance to suit up against the Vikings depending on how the week unfolds. If any of the three has to miss the game — particularly McCaffrey or Williams — the Vikings wouldn't be complaining.

Despite the injury uncertainty, the 49ers are currently seven-point road favorites for Monday's game.

Since their inception in 1961, the Vikings have never lost their first four home games of a season. They started 0-3 at home in 1962, 1967, 1972, and 2020 (with no fans), but won or tied the fourth home game all four times. The Vikings have started 0-3 at home this year and have lost four consecutive games at U.S. Bank Stadium dating back to the wild card round of last year's postseason.

With no Justin Jefferson, the Vikings will need to play easily their best game of the season to even have a chance against this dominant 49ers team.

San Francisco's defense doesn't have any weaknesses. The stars are Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Arik Armstead, and Javon Hargrave, but the secondary is also talented and experienced. Kevin O'Connell and his staff will need to put together a great plan, and Kirk Cousins will have to execute at an extremely high level to move the football.

On the other side of the ball, Brian Flores and his staff will look to force Brock Purdy into a mistake or two in what should be a fascinating chess match against Kyle Shanahan's offense. Between McCaffrey, Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers' skill position group is absolutely loaded, and Shanahan is one of the game's premier offensive play-callers. They'll be ready for Flores' heavy dose of blitzes.

If there's a weakness on this 49ers roster, it's the offensive lineman other than Williams. According to PFF, right tackle Colton McKivitz and center Jake Brendel have been roughly average this season, while guards Spencer Burford and Aaron Banks have been firmly below-average. In that context, it's unfortunate that the Vikings lost Marcus Davenport to injured reserve this week. The Vikings will need a huge game from Danielle Hunter, as well as players like D.J. Wonnum and Harrison Phillips.

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