Scouting Report: What are the Minnesota Vikings’ strengths and weaknesses?

The Minnesota Vikings (11-6) on paper have a roster oozing of talent and skill. Prior to the NFC Division Round game against the 49ers, here three strengths and weaknesses of the Vikings.

Strengths

Play-Action Passing

Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has done a great job this season of using play-action effectively with quarterback Kirk Cousins. While using play-action this season, Cousins ranks first in the NFL with 13 touchdowns, third in the NFC with 1,161 yards and fourth in the NFC in QBR at 85.9. With the likely return of pass rusher Dee Ford, the 49ers will look to limit Cousins’ time in the pocket, specifically on play-action passes. In the Wild Card game against the Saints last week, Cousins used play action to connect with wide receiver Adam Thielen for 43 yards in overtime. That play set up the game-winning touchdown from Cousins to tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Offensive Weapons

The Vikings don’t lack talent on either side of the ball. On paper, they are one of the top teams in the entire NFL. It all starts with running back Dalvin Cook, who is having a career year. He’s a dual-threat as a runner and pass catcher. In 14 games this season, Cook has rushed for 1,335 yards and 13 touchdowns and also caught 53 passes for 519 yards. Reserve running back Alexander Mattison has rushed for 462 yards. In addition to Cook, Mattison and Cousins, the Vikings also have two of the best wide receivers in the NFL — Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Diggs has caught 63 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, while Thielen has 30 catches for 418 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Tight ends Kyle Rudolph and rookie Irv Smith Jr. from Alabama have also made contributions.

Ability to stop Tight Ends

The Vikings defense will face its biggest test Saturday going up against 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle. But if any team can contain Kittle, it might be the Vikings, who will likely use a variety of players to cover him. Minnesota’s DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) against tight ends ranks at 45.9%, which leads the NFL. The 49ers rank second at 32.4%. The Vikings have faced tight ends such as the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, the Eagles’ Zach Ertz, the Raiders’ Darren Waller, the Falcons’ Austin Hooper, the Giants’ Evan Engram, the Chargers’ Hunter Henry and the Seahawks’ Jacob Hollister and didn’t give up a touchdown to any of them.

Weaknesses

The Vikings could be tired

One clear advantage the 49ers have over the Vikings coming into the Divisional game? Rest. San Francisco last played Dec. 29 and the first-round bye allowed the team to rest and get healthy. The 49ers had its bye in Week 4 and the extra week could allow players such as Kwon Alexander, Dee Ford and Jaquiski Tartt to play. In addition to playing on a short week, the Vikings will have to travel cross-county from Minnesota to Santa Clara less than a week going to New Orleans.

Defensive backs

Minnesota has already ruled out starting nickel corner Mackensie Alexander with a knee injury, after having an operation this week to repair a meniscus tear. Alexander played in Week 17 despite being limited in the team’s final regular practice. He missed last week’s game against the Saints with the same knee injury. The Vikings are also missing cornerback Mike Hughes, who was placed on injured reserve Jan 3. Minnesota will start Xavier Rhodes (45.6 Pro Football Focus grade) and Trae Waynes (63.4 PFF grade). Rhodes was named an All-Pro in 2017, but since has seen a decline. Look for Shanahan to attack Rhodes on deep balls Saturday, after he gave up a long catch to Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris last game.

Cousins in the big game

Cousins had the signature win of his career over the Saints. It was his first playoff win as a starter but the numbers show he hadn’t previously performed while in the spotlight. Cousins is 0-9 on “Monday Night Football,” 8-15 in prime time games and 4-11-1 against teams that entered the game with a winning record. Can Cousins knock off back-to-back NFC heavyweights? We will find out Saturday.

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 4:00 AM.