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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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ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 10: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – AUGUST 10: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 10, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 49ers Hold Vikings’ Dalvin Cook to Under 100 Yards Rushing

San Francisco’s run defense saw a massive improvement last year over its lowly 2016 totals, averaging a full yard less allowed in 2017 (3.8) than the previous season.

Despite the improvement, Pro Football Focus still ranked the Niners 2018 run defense No. 28 in the league heading into Week 1. And with second-year linebacker Reuben Foster (suspension) out for the first two weeks of the season, there’s enough reason to be worried Vikings upstart running back Dalvin Cook winds up having a big day Sunday.

It doesn’t help fellow linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) is doubtful for the contest too.

Cook, meanwhile, averaged 4.8 yards per carry his rookie 2017 season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 4 last year.

Minnesota’s offensive line woes could make Cook’s life a bit more difficult, however. So could the fact he’s dealing with a knee injury of his own heading towards the contest.

Still, it’s going to take some effort from the Niners defensive line both on the interior and off the edges. And the second level of defense, sans Foster and Smith, will need to converge quickly to ensure Cook averages no more than 3.5 yards per carry during the game.

So the pressure is on for a young player like rookie linebacker Fred Warner, who’ll have to showcase his prowess against one of the more talented runners in the NFL today.

The prediction? Cook fails to crest 100 yards on Sunday.