3 NFC sleeper teams who contend with 49ers for playoffs

49ers Threat No. 1: Minnesota Vikings

2020 Record: 7-9, 3rd Place in NFC North

After a strong playoff push in 2019, the Minnesota Vikings fell short for a number of reasons last year, and it was pretty indicative the team needed a large-scale makeover heading into 2021.

A big need was addressed by landing rookie offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw in Round 1 of the NFL Draft to help shore up the offensive line, and that could hopefully propel veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins back to his “not bad, not good” status.

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That status was good enough to help push Minnesota into the playoffs back in 2019, too.

Yet Cousins won’t be the focal point, nor will he be the primary reason why the Vikings are a potential playoff threat to the 49ers this season.

No, a primary reason would be Minnesota having an MVP-like candidate in the backfield, running back Dalvin Cook, while wide receiver Justin Jefferson earned a Pro Bowl nod his rookie year and was in the running for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, too.

Unlike the Cowboys, whose defense figures to be a mess anyway despite their offseason adds, the Vikings should improve on this side of the ball after ranking 29th in scoring last year.

A home game against the Vikings at Levi’s Stadium in Week 12 should reveal whether or not Minnesota poses any sort of threat to the Niners’ postseason chances.