MNF 49ers vs. Vikings Week 7 odds and predictions
Every week, VSiN will be doing an in-depth dive on the week’s Monday Night Football game. In Week 7, that game features the Minnesota Vikings hosting the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 49ers are a bit banged up right now, but they’re still one of the most dominant teams in the league. So this is a lopsided matchup on paper, but perhaps the Vikings will have a little fight in them. With that out of the way, keep reading for our 49ers vs. Vikings preview, picks and player props.
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How To Watch 49ers vs. Vikings
Date: Monday, October 23
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
49ers vs. Vikings Spread
This game feels like it has the chance to be rather lopsided. Heading into the season, some people were high on the Vikings. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t one of them. But Minnesota has just been a sloppy football team all year. The Vikings lead the league with 13 giveaways on the season, and nine of those are lost fumbles. That’s a little alarming as Minnesota gears up for a meeting with a San Francisco team that is fifth in the league in Defensive DVOA. The 49ers also have 11 takeaways this season, and they’re also facing a Vikings team that is without Justin Jefferson. Kirk Cousins and Co. didn’t look great without the star wideout in last week’s close win over Chicago.
Offensively, I also think this is a brutal matchup for Minnesota’s defense. Even with Christian McCaffrey banged up, I just don’t see how the Vikings will be able to get off the field against a 49ers team that is second in the league in EPA per play this year. Minnesota has been pretty awful on the defensive side of the ball this year, and this San Francisco offense is loaded with talent all over the field. No matter who ends up running the ball for the 49ers, the team should be able to pick up chunk yardage on the ground. And that will allow Brock Purdy to calmly push the ball down the field, which he has been doing all year. San Francisco is first in the NFL in Dropback EPA this year, so this is an elite passing team.
It should also be noted that San Francisco is 13-5 against the spread when facing defenses that allow a completion percentage of at least 61.0% since the start of last season. And the 49ers have won those games by an average of 10.2 points per game.
49ers vs. Vikings Total
This number has come down since opening up at 47 and I think it’s something of a mistake. I just don’t see the 49ers having any trouble scoring on this VIkings defense, so they should do a big part in helping out Over bettors here. However, I also think Minnesota has the potential to put up some points when the team falls behind and starts airing it out with Cousins. That might not look all that pretty for the Vikings, but it doesn’t need to. A few successful drives by Minnesota should be enough in this spot.
It’s also just worth mentioning that the Over is 7-0 when Minnesota has played as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points since the start of the 2021-22 season. And the average total points scored in those games was 61.2 points per game, which is well Over the number for this one.
49ers vs. Vikings Player Props
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Kirk Cousins Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
I don’t feel too strongly about Cousins throwing for at least two touchdowns in this game, but it almost feels like a must-take at +165 odds. Cousins has thrown for at least two touchdowns in five of the six games he has played this season. Of course, playing this 49ers defense will make things tougher on him, and doing so without Jefferson makes it worse. But I think Cousins will be forced to throw a lot in this game, so this is one I’m willing to take a shot on.
49ers vs. Vikings Prediction
This is just a lean for me as it feels like a fool’s gold pick, but I’d go with the 49ers and lay the points here. The Vikings have seemed like a sharp side multiple times this season, but a fumble or pick here and there can throw that out the window. And this Minnesota team feels like it’s good for a couple of those each game. So, I’m just going with the team that is better on both sides of the ball, And it also happens to be the team with more to play for, as the Vikings season is quickly getting away.
Lean: 49ers -6.5
Head to our Pro Picks page to see how VSiN analysts are betting 49ers vs. Vikings!
