San Francisco 49ers: First-take regular-season schedule predictions for 2018
By Peter Panacy
Week 1 @ Minnesota Vikings
San Francisco 49ers
Head coach Kyle Shanahan gets to open up his 2018 campaign facing off against one of his favorite quarterbacks, now-Vikings signal-caller Kirk Cousins, whom Minnesota picked up in free agency.
Cousins is surely an upgrade over now-Denver Broncos QB Case Keenum, who endeared himself to Vikings fans during their stellar playoff run a season ago. And while Keenum was a big part of Minnesota’s success, a primary reason was the Vikings defense.
You know, the same unit that finished best in the NFL in both points allowed (252) and all-purpose yards (4,415).
That’s the challenge Shanahan and Co. will have to overcome.
Making this achievable will be the reunion between Minnesota and now-Niners running back Jerick McKinnon, who’ll face off against his old squad but in a starting role this time around. If he’s able to thrive in Shanahan’s offense, the 49ers stand a good chance.
Still, that’s a tall order against a Vikings squad that allowed a league’s fifth-best average in rush yards against last season (3.7 yards per carry). And with Minnesota largely carrying over its 2017 defense intact, the Niners have a tough hill to climb to open up the season.
It’s likely the 49ers start off 2018 with a 0-1 record.