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49ers vs. Vikings: 5 bold Week 1 predictions for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 5: DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas Have Two Sacks Apiece

OK, so we’re going bold. Not safe.

So to say defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas start off their respective 2018 campaigns with multiple sacks might be a bit of a stretch.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Especially considering both players had just three sacks each over the entirety of last season.

But there’s a reason to suspect the 49ers’ interior pass rush is potent enough this year. Particularly in this game too. And it all starts with a questionable Vikings offensive line.

Starting center Pat Elflein (ankle) is doubtful for the contest. His immediate backup, Brett Jones, is also nursing an ankle injury but is expected to play. While Jones’ pass-blocking abilities have been solid over his two-year career, being able to pivot and plant on a bad ankle is one of the most problematic things for an offensive lineman in a reactive block, such as pass blocking.

Plus, with Buckner having led the entire NFL last year in quarterback hits among interior defensive linemen (19), per Pro Football Focus, one can see how pressure against Jones could get home.

Thomas also looked excellent in his interior pass-rushing abilities this preseason, picking up three hurries and a sack on 28 pass-rushing snaps, according to PFF.

Look for both players to be a key factor in Sunday’s bout.