49ers: 5 players who must prove themselves in divisional round vs. Vikings

5 49ers who must prove themselves in NFC divisional round vs. Vikings

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 22: Anthony Dixon #33 of the San Francisco 49er runs runs against Jayme Mitchell #92 of the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL pre-season game at Candlestick Park on August 22, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

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Running back Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back Raheem Mostert

The Vikings have a solid defense, yes. But there are a number of vulnerable weaknesses head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. will look to exploit.

One of those is on the ground, and there’s a good argument the team which wins the rushing attack winds up winning on Saturday, too.

Running back Raheem Mostert has emerged as the 49ers’ starter in recent weeks, and he finished the regular season leading the offense with 772 rush yards and a combined 10 touchdowns.

Like Jimmy Garoppolo, Mostert doesn’t have playoff experience. But that’s not why he needs to prove himself. Minnesota has some excellent pursuit linebackers in Anthony Barr and the 2019 All-Pro, Eric Kendricks. Even with Mostert’s ability to accelerate to the outside of the box, Barr and Kendricks’ own abilities to range from sideline to sideline presents a challenge Mostert and San Francisco’s ground game hasn’t faced much over the course of the regular season.

If Mostert comes close to his season-total 5.6 yards-per-carry average, the Niners stand an excellent chance to win the game.