The Minnesota Vikings Week 12 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers features two teams that are both on two-game winning streaks that would have seemed impossible just 14 days ago.

With the Vikings beating the Chargers and Packers and the 49ers taking out the Los Angeles Rams and then the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, this may be the matchup between the two hottest teams in the NFC right now. FanDuel Sportsbook currently has the Vikings as three-point underdogs for this one and the close spread is indicative of the history between the two teams.

For more insight on the Vikings' Week 12 matchup against the 49ers, listen below:

Overall, Minnesota and San Francisco have played 48 times, and the all-time Vikings-49ers matchup has San Francisco ahead by the slimmest of margins–24-23-1. So, it is safe to say these two teams have played each other tough over the years and this game will be no different. In the end, Minnesota will need to play their best football if they plan to win the game on Sunday. Here are four predictions for how they might go about doing just that.

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Minnesota Vikings Week 12 predictions

4. Adam Thielen will find the end zone…twice

Adam Thielen has been one of the best receivers in the NFL in 2021, both on the field and in Fantasy Football. Thielen has had 65 yards or a touchdown in all but two games this season and already has eight touchdown grabs as well. He has not found the end zone twice since he did so in the Vikings opening game of the season and this could be the week he does it.

With fellow stud receiver Justin Jefferson catching two scores last week, it will be Thielen's turn to do so in week 12. The 49ers' secondary has not been tested the past few weeks but is still a weak point of this team. Look for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to attack this weakness early and often–resulting in the two scores for Thielen.

3. The 49ers will be held under 100 yards rushing

Whether it be Elijah Mitchell, Kyle Juszczyk, or Jeff Wilson Jr., whoever the 49ers have decided to feature in their running game has usually had great results. Now, the 49ers can't play the Rams and the Jaguars every week–even though they sure wish they could–but will this week be any different?

The Vikings are fifth-worst in the NFL in terms of stopping the run, so this is gonna be a blowout…right? As Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. If you could predict the way things go in the NFL, then everyone would be rich from sports betting. The reality is, sometimes stuff just happens and you are not expecting it at all. That is what will happen here as Minnesota gets an emotional boost from the departure of Everson Griffin and they hold the 49ers under 100 yards rushing for the game.

2 Kirk Cousins will throw four touchdowns

There is no other way to put it, Kirk Cousins has been masterful this season. En route to 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions on the year, Cousins has led his team to within four points in every single game. Say what you want about the Vikings' defense, but the offense is nothing to hold your nose at–especially the passing game.

Despite having one of the best running backs in football in Dalvin Cook, it has been Cousins' passing game where Minnesota has carved up opponents for the most part in 2021, helped by Thielen, Jefferson, and even tight end Tyler Conklin on occasion. What Cousins has not done so far, though, is throw for four touchdowns in a game. That will change this week as he not only finds Thielen for the aforementioned two scores, but Cousins will find Jefferson and Tyler Conklin for a score each, as well. If the Vikings can get the first three things on this list taken care of, then…

1. The Vikings will cover AND win 

With the three-point spread being given to the home-team 49ers, it means that this game would usually be deemed a “pick-em” if it were on a neutral field. The problem for San Francisco is, over the past two seasons, their home-field has been a virtual neutral field as the 49ers have struggled to gain a home-field advantage over their visiting opponents.

Vikings fans are known for traveling far and wide to attend games, so expect a mini Vikings takeover of the stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday. If they can pack the stadium with a “SKOL” attitude, then maybe they can take over and make the field a “home away from home”–they are Vikings after all.