Vikings-49ers Predictions, Picks: Can Minnesota Shock the World on MNF?

Can the Vikings shock the world on Monday Night Football?

That's what Kevin O'Connell's 2-4 team is going to attempt to do against the 5-1 49ers, who are fired up after their first loss of the season last weekend. One of the NFL's elite, Super Bowl-contending teams is in Minneapolis looking to keep pace with the Eagles atop the NFC. In primetime, all eyes will be on the Vikings as they try to pull off the upset at seven-point underdogs.

There isn't much that the 49ers don't do extremely well. The league's No. 1 overall team in DVOA, they have an efficient, explosive offense and a defense that is loaded with talent at all three levels. Even with Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams out due to injury, the Vikings will need to play their best game of the season to have a chance in this one. Christian McCaffrey is expected to play through his oblique injury.

In the Kirk Cousins era, the Vikings are 2-8 outright when they've been underdogs by at least six points. They're 1-8 as underdogs in night games. It's going to take something unexpected for them to pull this off.

Can they do it? Let's start with my prediction and then dive into some picks from national analysts. Spoiler alert: There isn't much faith in O'Connell's team.

Will's pick: 49ers 30, Vikings 17

2023 record: 4-2

Injuries to Williams and Samuel help the Vikings' upset case a little bit, but there's no way I can bring myself to predict it. This is a Minnesota team that has needed defensive touchdowns to survive against the Panthers and Bears in its only two wins of the season. The Vikings don't run the ball, catch the ball, or hold onto the ball very well. The 49ers are an incredibly good team in basically every area except the offensive line, which doesn't usually matter because Brock Purdy gets rid of the football quickly. The Vikings also aren't well-equipped to take advantage of that weakness, due to Marcus Davenport's absence. A win for the home team on Monday night would surprise me quite a bit.

National predictions

NFL.com: All 5 pickers take the 49ers

Kirk Cousins in prime time is bad (SEE: 11-18 career record). Kirk Cousins on Monday night is worse (2-10). So how about Kirk Cousins on Monday night facing an angry 49ers team that just suffered its first loss? Oh, and did I mention that Captain Kirk will be missing the best wide receiver on Planet Earth? In the Vikings' first game without Justin Jefferson this past Sunday, they only managed 220 total yards against Chicago’s shoddy D, converting just two of 13 third-down attempts. Not encouraging with the mighty Niners rolling into town. Minnesota hasn't won a game at U.S. Bank Stadium since last Christmas Eve. Somebody check the gjallarhorn. — Gennaro Filice

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 49ers 29, Vikings 20

The 49ers, who lost to the Browns Sunday, are back on the road against the Vikings, who beat the Bears last week. The 49ers are banged up on offense and might be without Christian McCaffrey and some other key players. This game will be about the San Francisco defense. The front will force Kirk Cousins into some key mistakes that lead to points.

Ben Goessling, Star Tribune: 49ers 16, Vikings 13

The 49ers defense might be a bigger problem for the Vikings than their offense, especially if Minnesota struggles to block an imposing front that ranks fifth in the league against the run and will attack with linemen and linebackers surging straight ahead into gaps. If the Vikings can create some space for their backs and attack the man coverage looks they figure to see from the 49ers secondary, they could be productive enough to beat a team that won't have at least one of its Pro Bowl playmakers. But when the Vikings are missing an All-Pro receiver as well, the San Francisco defense will be just a bit too much to overcome.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: 49ers 25, Vikings 19

Christian McCaffrey (oblique) and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) are dealing with injuries, but Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is still out for the Vikings. That puts a little more on Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins. The 49ers will need to bounce back, but the Vikings have not lost at home by more than a touchdown under second-year coach Kevin O'Connell. Keep an eye on those injury reports.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 49ers 24, Vikings 20

The 49ers are hurting badly around Brock Purdy as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams are all hurting. The offense is shorthanded and needing to pivot through ground and air. They can find enough to exploit the Vikings' pass defense with George Kittle Brandon Aiyuk and others and catch a little break from no Justin Jefferson to bother their pass coverage. Nick Bosa and the defense make the difference here.

Bleacher Report Staff: 49ers 28, Vikings 16

Mike Florio, PFT: 49ers 35, Vikings 21

Chris Simms, PFT: 49ers 30, Vikings 17

Seth Walder, ESPN: 49ers 26, Vikings 20

Eric Moody, ESPN: 49ers 29, Vikings 20

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all season long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter