49ers vs. Vikings: 5 biggest matchups to watch in Week 1

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a touchdown as time expires against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Richard Sherman vs. Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs is an unreal talent at receiver. I would put him in the top tier of the league’s wide receivers. He runs his routes with exceptional sharpness, has reliable hands and is just an electric playmaker.

Diggs is always a threat when he’s on the field, but he will be going up against Richard Sherman, one of the best cornerbacks in the league, in Week 1.

This matchup will be very fun to watch. Five years ago, Sherman would probably be able to lock up Diggs with no problem. But now he is 30 years old coming off of a torn Achilles injury suffered back in 2017.

How Diggs does in this game will be a good indicator of how healthy Sherman is — and more importantly, if he is still that same cornerback that he was in his prime.

If Sherman successfully locks up Diggs, the game will be significantly easier for the 49ers to win.

And it will indicate that this season will be a good one for San Francisco.