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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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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers watches a replay on the big screen during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers watches a replay on the big screen during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Richard Sherman Gets His First Interception as a 49er

For years, Niners fans watched cornerback Richard Sherman torment the 49ers, both on the field and even off of it, when he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

This is probably a reason why some San Francisco fans were reluctant to embrace the three-time first-team All-Pro when he signed as a free agent during the offseason. And with limited appearances this preseason, the Faithful have yet to truly see Sherman’s abilities donning the red and gold.

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Sherman looked fine in his lone preseason debut in 2018, although he wasn’t tested much. That will likely change in Week 1, as the Vikings look to match up the speedy and talented wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, against Sherman.

Diggs has top-level speed, while Sherman does not. But Sherman has never relied on straight-line speed, rather using physicality at the line of scrimmage and ensuring his positioning is 100-percent correct whenever possible.

Sure, it’s reasonable to assume Diggs beats Sherman once or twice. Yet one has to recall how Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins’ gun-slinging mentality puts him into a bit of trouble with regards to turnovers.

Sherman will wind up recording his first interception with the 49ers, and Faithful fans everywhere will all have forgotten how he was once the team’s No. 1 villain not long ago.