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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Minnesota Vikings (Week 3)
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Percy Harvin is my pick for Rookie of the Year.
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
The Vikings, at this point, don't have Brett Favre on the team. But by Week 3, it might all be a different story.
I can't assume anything at this point, so I will have to do this breakdown with who is currently on the team's roster. Regardless if Favre is on the team or not, the Vikings are definitely a team to watch out for.
2008 Record: 10-6 (1st NFC North)
Last meeting: 12/9/07 @ San Francisco (Vikings win 27-7)
2009 schedule: Week 3 @ Minnesota
Top 3 best players: RB Adrian Peterson, DE Jared Allen, WR Bernard Berrian
Notable draft picks: WR Percy Harvin, CB Asher Allen
Notable new acquisitions: QB Sage Rosenfels, WR Glenn Holt
Notable losses: S Darren Sharper, QB Gus Frerotte
If Brett Favre is a Viking at this time during the season, I just have to say that if he is healthy, he can be dangerous. But since we don't gave Favre officially under contract, the quarterback might end up being Tarvaris Jackson.
For the most part, Jackson has been a decent quarterback. Right behind him is Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels has had his glory games with the Texans and now he will battle it out with Jackson for the starting quarterback position.
I would expect Jackson to keep the job since he has been with the team longer and is more familiar with the offense.
The main focus will obviously be on the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. His first two seasons as a starting running back has provided nothing but highlights for years to come. And for the 49ers, they need to find a way to contain him.
The last time the 49ers faced Peterson, they kept him in check but backup running back Chester Taylor had himself a field day. it will definitely be a hard assignment for the 49ers. However, the 49ers' 13th ranked defense gave up 106.8 rushing yards a game last year. The Vikings defense only gave up 76.9 rushing yards a game-- best in the league.
In the passing game for both teams, the biggest key will be getting the ball quickly out of the quarterback's hands. With talents like Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin for the Vikings, getting the ball to the deep threat Berrian or the dangerous open-field receiver Harvin can cause a lot of problems for the 49ers.
The 49ers defense was ranked second in defense in preventing pass plays of at least 20 yards. And containing very explosive receivers will be very important.
But for the 49ers, they know that when they are on offense, they have to protect the quarterback from Jared Allen. Allen has collected 30 sacks in the past two seasons. We all remember how bad the offensive line was last year, so Allen may be the biggest factor in protecting the 49ers passing game.
The Vikings are going with a new center this year in John Sullivan. If he struggles to adjust to being the new center for the Vikings, the 49ers must use blitzes down the middle or more pressure from the nose tackle to force the quarterback to make quick decisions.
Regardless of whether the quarterback will be Favre, Jackson, or Rosenfels, all three are very prone to interceptions. That might be enough to help the 49ers get the ball early and score.
The Vikings are hoping that they can repeat their success from last year. Their defense became the foundation of their success last year. However, with the departure of Darren Sharper, the 49ers have a small window of opportunity to attack the Vikings secondary. Since the running game might go through some troubles, this might be the time where the 49ers quarterback (Hill, Smith or whoever) and the receivers make their presence known.
Taking a look at what cost the Vikings the game last year in the playoffs, they had trouble containing the Eagles' Brian Westbrook in the open field. If the 49ers receivers can get into the open field and make the defenders miss a couple times, that might be enough to help open up the game.
As mentioned earlier, the 49ers must pressure the quarterback. The defensive pressure on Jackson led to a 15 of 35 passing game with an interception returned for a touchdown.
I actually believe that the 49ers have a great chance of stealing this game. If they can force pressure and break the Vikings' offensive pocket, there might be enough opportunities to force a turnover and get great field position. If the 49ers can steal this one, we might then be able to have an idea of what we can expect from the team throughout the rest of the year.
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The 49ers have officially announced the date of the 49ers first day of training camp: July 30.
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