Yep, San Francisco 49ers football is just about back! The 49ers host the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium in the Monday Night Football nightcap. The game is part of the annual Week 1 MNF double-header, kicking off at 7:20 p.m. PT on ESPN. Considering the craziness of the 49ers offseason, it is probably fitting that they be under the bright lights of prime time for the first game of the new Jim Tomsula era.
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This marks Jim Tomsula's second career game as head coach, having coached the final game of the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired. For now though, I think it is far to call this the start of the Jim Tomsula era. How long said era lasts remains to be seen. The team has turned over a significant number of starters. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the young talent, but there are also a lot of questions. Some or all of these new starters could hit this year, but nobody can say for certain.
One thing we can say is the biggest question is probably the right side of the offensive line. Erik Pears and Jordan Devey are brand new to the team, while Marcus Martin is handling center in Daniel Kilgore's absence. By all indications, this particular combination has been working together since the lead up to the preseason finale. That has left them a couple weeks to get on the same page, but is that enough? This offense has a lot of playmakers, but it will only go as far as the offensive line can carry at.
The 49ers face a Vikings team that is considered by many a darkhorse playoff contender. They return Teddy Bridgewater in his second year at quarterback, and he gets to work with Norv Turner for a second straight season. Oh, and of course they also get Adrian Peterson back on the field for the first time since Week 1 last season. They've got a lot of talent, but they are still inexperienced enough that they have a lot to prove.
The 49ers opened in April as 4.5-point favorites. The line has swung all the way to Vikings -2.5. The Vikings were unsure of Adrian Peterson's status when the line first opened. Since then, the public has hit the number in a big way. It is rare to see this kind of swing, but the 49ers do not exactly have the best public perception with the betting public.
Nuts and bolts
49ers depth chart
49ers injury report
Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Monday, September 14, 7:20 p.m. PT
TV channel: ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
49ers Radio: 680-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Westwood One Sports: Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, Mark Malone
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Odds: 49ers +2.5
Matchup history: 22-22-1
Announcers: Chris Berman, Trent Dilfer, Lindsey Czarniak (sideline)
Enemy blog: Minnesota Vikings
Twitter: @ninersnation
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49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings - Monday, September 14, 7:20 p.m. ESPN (MNF)
Week 2: @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 3: @ Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, September 27, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers - Sunday, October 4, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 5: @ New York Giants - Sunday, October 11, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, October 18, 1:25 p.m. CBS
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks - Thursday, October 22, 5:25 p.m. NFLN (TNF)
Week 8: @ St. Louis Rams - Sunday, November 1, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, November 8, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: @ Seattle Seahawks - Sunday, November 22, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, November 29, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears - Sunday, December December 6, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 14: @ Cleveland Browns - Sunday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday, December 20, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions - Sunday, December 27, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 17: vs. St. Louis Rams - Sunday, January 3, 1:25 p.m. FOX