The Vikings defense line is among the best in the NFL. Can the 49ers stop them?
The sixth-seeded Minnesota Vikings are coming to Santa Clara this weekend.
And based on the performance Minnesota’s defense had last weekend against the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round, the 49ers offense will face its biggest test of the season.
The main focus for the 49ers against the Vikings should be protecting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo against one of the best front sevens in the NFL. Otherwise, they could have a similar fate to the Saints, who lost 26-20 in overtime to the Vikings last weekend.
Coming into last weekend’s game, Saints starting offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk hadn’t given up a sack all season. They gave up three Sunday. Vikings’ star defensive lineman Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen both had 1.5 sacks each.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer is the one calling the shots on defense. Zimmer lined up Griffen and Hunter everywhere along the defensive line in order to create pressure on Saint’s quarterback Drew Brees. The Vikings defense forced Brees to fumble the ball and also pressure him into throwing an interception on a long pass.
It’s likely Zimmer brings similar pressure Saturday against the 49ers.
Ben Garland has been the 49ers center since midway through the Saints game in Week 14. 49ers starting center Weston Richburg suffered a torn patella tendon, forcing Garland to step into a starting role. In his first two starts, he went against the Falcons’ Grady Jarrett and the Rams’ Aaron Donald. Against the Falcons, Jarrett had a sack wiped away by penalty, while Donald had 1.5 sacks.
Against the Seahawks in Week 17, the 49ers offensive line gave up two sacks on the first drive but didn’t allow another sack the rest of the game.
Heading into this weekend, it’s unclear who will start at right guard. Daniel Brunskill has made eight starts this season at various positions along the offensive line. He has started the last two at right guard in place of Mike Person — who is dealing with a neck and shoulder injury. In Kyle Shanahan’s news conference Tuesday, he listed Person as a limited participant in practice.
A healthy offensive line will be critical for the 49ers this weekend. The Vikings and 49ers are tied for fifth in the NFL with 48 sacks each. Minnesota has also forced 31 takeaways, which ranks fourth.
Hunter is arguably the most valuable player on the Vikings defensive line. He leads the team with 14½ sacks and has also forced three fumbles. Griffen ranks second on the team with eight sacks, while Ifeadi Odenigbo is third with seven.
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 4:00 AM.