One of the most intriguing matchups in Week Two of the NFL season is the showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings.
Former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph recently appeared on Up & Adams to share his thoughts on whether the Vikings can pull off a surprise victory.
“I’m going with the Vikings again. They’re gonna knock ’em off…Christian McCaffrey also missed the game in Minnesota last year.”
Unsurprisingly, Rudolph is throwing his support behind his former team.
His loyalty is understandable, given he spent 10 seasons in Minnesota, earned multiple Pro Bowl selections, and left a lasting impact on the franchise.
Another reason for Rudolph’s optimism is the Vikings’ dominant 28-6 win over the New York Giants in Week One. Early in the season, teams are still finding their rhythm, which could be an opportune moment for Minnesota to pull off an upset.
Adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup is the uncertain status of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who may miss his second straight game due to injury.
After watching the Vikings’ defense rack up five sacks and multiple interceptions against the Giants, head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers may have reason to be cautious heading into Sunday’s contest.
If the Minnesota Vikings manage to upset the 49ers, they could quickly become a team to watch in the NFC.
In last week’s win over the Giants, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold, who spent last season with San Francisco, looked sharp, completing all but five of his passes and posting a passer rating of over 113.0.
The 49ers will need to tread carefully as they face a potentially dangerous Vikings team this Sunday.
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