49ers vs. Vikings: 3 ways San Francisco bullies Minnesota
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers must target Vikings Bashaud Breeland regularly
The Niners should bully Christian Darrisaw as much as possible, and rookies can expect that. But San Francisco will also want to make sure wide receiver Deebo Samuel gets his share of the action, especially after receiving only one catch for 15 yards in the 49ers’ one-sided win over the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago.
Although Samuel was and still likely will be an X-factor in the ground game.
Sticking to the pass, though, there’s one player Samuel and the Niners should bully regularly on Sunday, veteran cornerback Bashaud Breeland.
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Breeland has been a major liability for Minnesota’s secondary this season after coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs, and the replicated success he experienced previously simply isn’t happening. Over 10 games with the Vikings this year, Breeland is allowing a 62.9 catch rate when targeted, and opposing quarterbacks are posting a passer rating of 104.8 when targeting him, both career-worsts for the 29-year-old pro.
Plus, Breeland has been credited with allowing a team-high four touchdown receptions in coverage, too, meaning a player like Samuel could make life awfully difficult in a matchup San Francisco would be wise to exploit.