Week 1 NFL Preseason Pick: Vikings vs. 49ers: August 10th 2012
Week 1 NFL Preseason Picks: August 10th 2012
Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers
Current line: San Francisco (-3/34.5)
The Minnesota Vikings meet San Francisco on Friday from Candlestick Park in San Francisco at 9pmET. These two teams will also face each in Game 3 of the regular season so don’t expect a lot of trickery in Game 1 of preseason.
The Vikings are coming off a disappointing 3-13 SU season, they were 5-10-1 ATS and 9-7 Over. Last year, they went 3-1 ATS in the preseason. Leslie Frazier, now in his second full season, is 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS and 1-3 Under in preseason. San Francisco is coming off a 13-3 SU season, and they were 12-3-1 ATS and 7-9 Under. Last year, they went 2-2 ATS in the preseason. Jim Harbaugh, also in his second season, is 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS and 1-3 Under.
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The temperature is expected to be 61 degrees and clear.
The Vikings are coming off a terrible 3-win season and should be heading towards rebuilding under second-year qb Christian Ponder, who needs more reps to get better. He’s a good athlete who tends to hold the ball too long. With RB Adrian Peterson (knee) out in the preseason and status iffy to start the season, the Vikes will have to rely on Toby Gerhart. Minnesota picked up WR Jerome Simpson and TE John Carlson. That probably won’t help the 28th-ranked passing offense (184.8ypg). The defense continues to struggle against the pass (251.2ypg) although DE Jared Allen (22 sacks) is one of the best pass rushers in the game. The Niners are coming off a magical 13-3 season as Jim Harbaugh turned the team around. QB Alex Smith threw a league-low five interceptions, managing the game and turning his career around. RB Frank Gore is still an elite back but adding Brandon Jacobs and speedy second-rounder LaMichael James. They also WR Randy Moss and Mario Manningham to a mediocre corps. The defense is one of the best in the game led by LB Patrick Willis.
Minnesota starts with Ponder followed by Sage Rosenfels and Joe Webb. The Niners will start Alex Smith followed by Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson and Scott Tolzien.
The Vikes will not bring CB Robert Blanton (hamstring), TE John Carlson (knee), WR Kamar Jorden (broken hand), OL De Marcus Love (shoulder), RB Jordan Todman (ankle), Geoff Schwartz (sports hernia), RB Adrian Peterson (knee) and Josh Robinson (hamstring). San Francisco: WR Michael Crabtree (foot) is dbtful.
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