Minnesota Vikings vs 49ers in Week 1: The San Francisco perspective

1) How do the 49ers go about attacking a defense as stout as the Minnesota Vikings?

There’s really no easy option to go about doing so. Rather it’s going to be about looking at matchups that are slightly better than the others. One I’m paying attention to is slot receiver Trent Taylor going up against nickel corner Mackensie Alexander, who’s hampered with an ankle injury and remains questionable. Even if Alexander starts, I like that one-on-one matchup in favor of Taylor and would expect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to pick up his rapport with the second-year pro.

But the best chance the Niners have is to let head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense do the work. He disguises so many different looks and implements so many different misdirections and bootlegs. Minnesota’s defense is smart and fast, so it’s not going to be as simple as just unique play calling. That’s why an offensive utility tool, such as fullback Kyle Juszczyk, might wind up being a bigger X-factor than some may think.

2) Losing Jerick McKinnon for the season is a big blow for San Francisco. Can their running game still succeed without him?

Yes, but it changes a lot. Vikings fans know McKinnon enough and understand why he was going to be such a great fit under Shanahan. His pass-catching abilities are what sets him apart from the other 49ers tailbacks on the roster, so removing that aspect seriously changes things for San Francisco.

Alfred Morris isn’t a traditional pass-catching back, and second-year pro Matt Breida had some costly drops last year but still finished third on offense with 645 all-purpose yards.

Fortunately, Morris knows Shanahan’s offense from their time together with the Washington Redskins, so there’s not much of a learning curve there. And Breida might be the best pure runner on the roster right now, including McKinnon.