2 reasons why 49ers beat Vikings in Week 2 (and 2 why they won't)

The 49ers visit the Vikings in Week 2. Given the number of the week, let's break down two reasons why the Niners win and two reasons why they won't.

The San Francisco 49ers hope to reverse a trend that dates all the way back to 1992.

Yes, that was the last time they traveled to Minnesota and pulled off a win over the Vikings. Go look it up if you're not convinced.

If the Niners ultimately reverse this away-game losing streak, they'll have to do it without one of their top stars, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed Week 1's victory over the New York Jets because of calf and Achilles injuries and has subsequently been ruled out for Week 2, too.

Speaking of twos, what are two reasons why San Francisco wins this game? If it loses, what are two reasons behind a would-be loss?

Let's break those down (and don't expect us to do X number of reasons for each corresponding week, because Week 18 would be terrible).

2 reasons why 49ers beat Vikings in Week 2

No. 1: Sam Darnold comes back to earth

The 49ers face their former backup on Sunday, quarterback Sam Darnold, who was solid in his Norsemen debut last week against the New York Giants, completing nearly 80 percent of his passes and posting a 113.2 passer rating in Minnesota's victory.

But, being honest, Darnold is Darnold. And he'll be without one of his more prolific weapons in the game, wide receiver Jordan Addison, who's also out with an ankle injury.

Expecting Darnold to have a Giants-like performance against an elite Niners defense is quite the reach.

Anticipating a come-back-to-earth game is much more reasonable.

No. 2: Deebo Samuel and George Kittle games

As tight end George Kittle pointed out after McCaffrey's absence in Week 1, San Francisco's playbook simplifies with the running back out of the lineup, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Kittle had four catches for 40 yards in that game. However, with Vikings safety Harrison Smith questionable, it's reasonable to assume Kittle goes for more, indicative of a less-complex offense that allows him to use his own natural talents to make plays.

Additionally, wide receiver Deebo Samuel is a master against zone coverage, and Minnesota loves to run a zone defense:

The 49ers may not miss McCaffrey much if both Kittle and Samuel take over the game.

2 reasons why Vikings beat 49ers in Week 2

No. 1: Brock Purdy gets careless

Rewind to the last Niners loss at Minnesota, and one might recall how quarterback Brock Purdy was stuck in the middle of a three-game losing streak and tossed two interceptions during that Monday night contest.

Purdy was workmanlike in Week 1, leaning heavily on Samuel and backup running back Jordan Mason to steal the offensive show.

But, if Purdy gets too aggressive and/or cute against a still-tough Vikings defense, the turnovers could pop up and spell trouble for San Francisco.

No. 2: 49ers run defense falls flat

In Week 1, the 49ers held Jets star rusher Breece Hall to a mere 2.5 yards per carry, forcing a fumble they recovered in the process.

So much for the Niners' run defense being a liability, right?

That said, it's just as plausible Week 1's effort was an anomaly and San Francisco is still liable, defensively, against the run.

A bad-case scenario would be for the Vikings' own star running back, Aaron Jones, taking over the game on the ground.

Considering he mustered 108 rush yards against the 49ers in the playoffs last January when he was with the Green Bay Packers, Jones can't be ruled out as an X-factor when the Niners kick off against Minnesota on Sunday, Sept. 15.

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