49ers vs. Vikings: 3 ways San Francisco bullies Minnesota

No. 1: 49ers must be bullies on the ground vs. Vikings

Two weeks ago, the 49ers had 44 rush attempts against a good Los Angeles Rams run defense. Last week, the Niners had 42 rush attempts against a very good Jaguars run defense.

The Vikings do not have a good run defense.

Entering Week 12, Minnesota has surrendered a whopping 1,270 rush yards (27th) and is allowing opponents to rush for a sizable 4.8 yards per carry, second worst in the NFL. Making things worse, the Vikings are already without EDGE Danielle Hunter for the season, and two of their best run-stopping defensive linemen, Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson, won’t be available either.

If San Francisco was successful being ground bullies in Weeks 10 and 11, nothing should change in Week 12.

True, the 49ers may still be without rookie starting running back Elijah Mitchell, who’s nursing a finger injury. But that didn’t play a factor in the success Deebo Samuel had on the ground against Jacksonville, rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown, and the Niners would be more than wise to play the ground-and-pound game early and often against the Vikings, too, overwhelming a shorthanded defense that’s already ranked 28th in the league in yards allowed anyway.

Be bullies on the ground, Niners. That’s easily the No. 1 modus operandi for a Week 12 win.

Minnesota and San Francisco kick off on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 4:25 p.m. ET.