Golden Nuggets: Headed to Minnesota

The 49ers kick off their 2018 season against the Minnesota Vikings, a team that was one win away from the Super Bowl last season. They then upgraded their quarterback, going from Case Keenum to Kirk Cousins. They also had one of the best defenses in the NFL. All that adds up to the 49ers being an underdog to start off their campaign.

The start of the season is going to be a good test for this rebuilt 49ers roster. The 1st game against the Vikings will go a long way to see how this team will perform against the best of the NFL. Kyle Shanahan’s offense gets to face a really good defense. The team is counting on Jimmy Garoppolo getting off to a hot start and showing the league that he is the real deal.

The 49ers will start the season without their big free agent signing Jerick McKinnon. Jerick tore his ACL and will miss the season. He was expected to be a big component in the run and passing game. Now the team will go into the season with Matt Breida and veteran Alfred Morris. They will share carries and then the team will go with the hot hand. Alfred will likely get the majority of the carries because of his familiarity in the offense. The team needs them to be productive to take pressure off Jimmy.

49ers links

Long road ahead | Jerick on his rehab (Alper)

Not likely | Will the 49ers go after another running back? (Inman)

The 49ers love their fullback | Kyle loves his fullback (Wagoner)

In the top 10 for run blocking (Renner)

It be interesting to see how he plays | Richard Sherman (Brown)

Jimmy’s leadership approach (Maiocco)

Eventually Alfred will likely get most of the carries | Splitting carries (Maiocco)

The next Tom Brady (McGee)

Projections (Maiocco)

Takeaways (Almquist)

2018 season predictions (Madson)

Starting the season as an underdog | Week 1 point spread (Madson)

The QB that was rumored to be the 49ers QB | Facing Kirk Cousins Week 1 (Madson)

Running backs (Biderman)

Kyle Shanahan (Cohn)

49ers video

Jimmy’s fantasy outlook (NFL video)