Subscribe
Follow Us
The San Francisco 49ers are set for another pivotal NFC test as they will clash with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12.
The 49ers are now gradually beginning to turn the corner on their season following a sluggish 3-5 start to the campaign. They have reeled off back-to-back convincing wins, which include their 20-point road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. Veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo led the 49ers to six scoring drives in the contest, while the defense came away with a pair of turnovers against the Trevor Lawrence-led Jaguars offense.
For more insight on the 49ers' Week 12 matchup against the Vikings, listen below:
Garoppolo and company will take on a Vikings team that has also begun to turn the tide as well. Minnesota has notched back-to-back wins to move back to the .500 mark. As it stands, the Vikings hold the No. 6 seed over the 49ers in the NFC playoff standings due to the best win percentage in conference games tiebreaker.
If the 49ers aspire to pick up a key victory over the Vikings and move above them in the NFC playoff picture, then they will need to hit on each of these four feats.
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
49ers Week 12 predictions
4. Jimmy Garoppolo once again finds success in 21 personnel
49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel sure has opened up the playbook so far in the campaign. From unique play calls to the use of multiple personnel groupings, McDaniel has strived to make the 49ers an unpredictable offense to go up against.
In a league where nearly every team has heavily relied on 11 personnel so far this season, McDaniel has opted for a more creative approach instead with his offensive game planning. For one, he has called on 21 personnel — which features two running backs, one tight end and two wide receivers — a staggering 220 times so far this season, which ranks at the top of the leaderboard. More so, they have posted a formidable 53 percent successful play rate in this personnel.
The 49ers may look to catch the Vikings off guard in 21 personnel this week, which could once again include featuring wideout Deebo Samuel in the backfield. They did just that last week, as he notched 79 rushing yards against the Jaguars.
3. San Francisco slows down Minnesota on third downs
Article Continues Below
Cousins turned around his third down woes last week against the Green Bay Packers. He anchored the offense to nine third down conversions. This was notable as the team came into the contest with a 35.7 percent third down conversion percentage, which ranked at 26th in the league.
Whether it may be right defensive end Nick Bosa causing havoc in the backfield or cornerback K'Waun Williams possibly coming away with timely tackles, the Vikings will have much work to do in Week 12 in order to facilitate multiple promising scoring drives.
2. Brandon Aiyuk plays an instrumental role in the 49ers offense
After a slow start to the season, 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is now becoming more and more involved in the offense. For one, he has played in at least 90 percent of snaps on offense in the team's last three games, which is the longest such streak of his campaign.
Aiyuk is also becoming more of a go-to target for Garoppolo. He has been targeted a combined 20 times by the veteran quarterback in the last three games, and the receiver has come away with 16 receptions for 200 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Aiyuk could be in for another standout outing in Week 12, as the 49ers will face off against a Vikings pass defense that has allowed a notable 251.9 passing yards per game, which ranks at 12th in the NFC.
Whether it may be in screen plays or in pivotal downfield passes, Aiyuk must continue to make the most out of his opportunities in the 49ers pass offense.
1. 49ers extend their winning streak to three games
After a 3-5 start to the year, many expected that the 49ers would instead soon turn their attention to the 2022 NFL Draft. But after back-to-back wins, the 49ers are now back in contention for a playoff spot in the NFC, as they currently sit behind the Vikings in the conference standings.
The 49ers have not been one of the more potent teams at home this year due to their mere 1-4 record at Levi’s Stadium. Still, they should take care of business in Week 12 with a convincing victory over the Vikings, which would then move them over the .500 mark for the first time since their 2-0 start to the campaign earlier in the year.
