Minnesota Vikings: How Do Vikings Carry This Explosive Start Into Week 2 Against A Tough Opponent?

The Minnesota Vikings start the season 1-0 after dismantling the New York Giants, not even letting them score a touchdown. The offense was explosive behind new Vikings QB Samuel Richard Darnold who completed 19 of 24 passes for a total of 208 yards, and two touchdowns. Justin Jefferson secured four of six targets for a grand total of 59 yards and one touchdown in the Vikings win, and new running back Aaron Jones had no problem settling in, as Jones rushed 14 times for a total of 94 yards and a touchdown and brought in both targets in Sundays win.

The Defense also shined as like I said before, they didn’t even allow the Giants to score a touchdown. The defense had a total of five sacks, six tackles for a loss, and two interceptions (one of those for a touchdown), but the question remains: can this Vikings team remain consistent on both sides of the ball? especially against tough opponents.

Can The Minnesota Vikings Carry This Over To Their Next Opponent?

The question is though, how will they carry this performance over to their next opponent? The Minnesota Vikings next opponent are the San Francisco 49ers who just took care of the New York Jets on Monday night prime time. Now remember last season the Minnesota Vikings actually beat the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night football pulling off an incredible 22-17 upset victory. This season however is different as the 49ers brought back their core players, and the Vikings have a new RB, QB, and new defense. What does this new Vikings team need to do to repeat what they did last year against the Niners?

We’ll for starters, we know that Christian McCaffery may not be fully healthy after he missed week one. Now say McCaffery is out again for Week 2, the Vikings still have to deal with Jordan Mason. Jordan Mason made his first ever start in week one for the 49ers and put up some serious number on the ground. The Vikings usually do an great job at stopping the run game, especially against McCaffery and the Niners, as they held him to 45 yards on 15 carries last season when they beat them, so the run defense and stopping the run will be crucial again against the run heavy 49er offense.

Vikings Need To Establish Their Own Run Game And Sam Darnold Needs to Stay Consistent In The Passing Game

The Vikings need to set the same tone as they did against the Giants, and establish a strong run game from the start. Coach O’Connell needs to avoid having to rely on Darnold early against his former team, but still needs him to stay consistent in the passing game. If Aaron Jones is able to replicate his performance from last week or even come up with a better performance, the Vikings have a really good chance to come out on top and stun everyone.

Vikings WR Jalen Nailor is someone to keep an eye on, as the third year had a 21 yard touchdown reception against the Giants after showing that he is a consistent red zone threat, and with Jordan Addison iffy this week with an ankle injury, Nailor could find himself in a more prominent role in the passing game complementing Justin Jefferson.

This is the first time San Francisco has visited Minnesota in back to back season since the Niners played the Vikings on the road three straight time from 1990-1992. The previous time San Francisco won in Minnesota was in 1992, and the Vikings have won seven straight at home against the 49ers since then. Lets see if this trend can continue Sunday afternoon when the Minnesota Vikings host the San Francisco 49ers in Minnesota for some more exciting NFL football.