4 Facts to Know: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers

What are some essential pieces of information to know before the Minnesota Vikings open the 2018 season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday?

20 years after they had one of their best seasons in franchise history, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping that 2018 will be even more memorable and actually end with a Super Bowl win.

Step one of the Vikings’ journey to a Vince Lombardi trophy begins on Sunday inside U.S. Bank Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers. Beating the 49ers likely won’t be an easy task, so Minnesota will have to  give it their all this week to come away with a win.

Heading into Sunday, there are four important pieces of information that fans of each team should know before the first whistle blows.

1. Vikings play well inside the Bank

Sunday’s game will be taking place inside Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium, a place where the team has performed quite well since it opened in 2016. The Vikings are 13-4 on their on home field since 2016, including their playoff win over the New Orleans Saints last season.

Minnesota is also 3-1 in home openers under head coach Mike Zimmer with the lone loss coming in 2014 to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (who eventually won the Super Bowl later that year).

2. Jimmy Garoppolo is allergic to losing

After sitting behind Brady in New England for three full seasons, Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers last year to become their franchise savior.

All he did was start in San Francisco’s final five games last season and help them earn a win in each of them. In fact, Garoppolo has never lost any of his seven starts since entering the NFL in 2014.

3. Kirk Cousins played well against the 49ers in 2017

Before he signed a massive contract to join the Vikings this year, Cousins helped lead the Washington Redskins to a 26-24 win over San Francisco last season.

Against the 49ers, Cousins accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and threw for 330 yards. The new Minnesota quarterback also tossed one interception in the game, but San Francisco was unable to convert the turnover into points.

4. San Francisco is full of new faces on defense

Compared to last year’s season opener, the 49ers could possibly have seven new starters on defense this Sunday against the Vikings, including new cornerback Richard Sherman.

In addition to adjusting to a bunch of new players in the starting lineup, San Francisco will also be without talented linebacker Reuben Foster this week due to a suspension. As a rookie last season, Foster was the 49ers’ second-leading tackler.

As for San Francisco’s opponent on Sunday, continuity is on the side of Minnesota’s defense as 10 of their 11 starters from last year’s top unit are back for the 2018 season.