/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60589073/usa-today-8772912.0.0.0.jpg)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Week 1 | SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |
![]() | @ | ![]() |
Date: | 13 September 2015 | Location: | Santa Clara, CA |
Time: | 9:00 PM Central | Stadium: | Levi's Stadium |
TV: | ESPN | Radio: | Vikings Radio Network XM Ch 226 Sirius Ch 83 |
TV Announcers: | Chris Berman Trent Dilfer | Know Thy Foe: | Niners Nation |
Weather: | 70 degrees, winds from the SW at 10 MPH, 0% chance of rain | ||
Line: | Vikings -2.5, Over/under 41 (Thanks to the SB Nation NFL Odds page) | ||
Chris' Prediction: | Vikings 27, Niners 20 | ||
Final Score: | Niners 20, Vikings 3 |
Here are the ground rules for the Game Threads:
-Thou shalt not link illegal feeds of today's game, or I shall kick thy arse to the curb until the game is over. Do not promote then, do not mention them, do not even hint at them. Thou hast been warned.
-Thou shalt make an attempt to keep the swearing to a minimum. Understandable that it will slip occasionally, but do try to limit it. If you really feel the need to curse, use the spoiler tags to keep it covered up. We'll get the sentiment.
-Thou shalt not feed the trolls. Rather, thou shall simply point them out, and they shall be banished to the fires of Mordor. Or Wisconsin. Whichever we feel is more harsh at the time.
-Thou shalt not engage in racist, sexist, or other such insulting rhetoric. Somebody disagreeing with you does not make them racist or sexist. It means they disagree with you. Talk it out like adults.
-Thou shalt not bait the fans of other teams into trolling.
-Basically, thou shalt not be a jackwagon in the game thread.
Ladies and gentlemen, we've finally made it. After months of anticipation, we're finally at the first weekend of the 2015 NFL season. This is the final game of opening weekend. . .saving the best for last, obviously. . .and it will feature the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
Naturally, we think that the Vikings are going to come out of this one with a victory. What needs to happen to ensure that scenario?
1) Keep Teddy Clean - We're all expecting big things this season from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and while we know that Bridgewater has talent, there isn't a quarterback in the NFL that can do anything if he's firmly planted on his backside. Without John Sullivan, the Vikings are going to have to show that they can handle the pressure from a 49ers defense that's sure to bring all sorts of blitzes against young Bridgewater. If the offensive line can establish themselves early on and keep Bridgewater upright, there will be opportunities for him to make plays.
2) Get After Kaepernick - Historically, the Vikings have gotten killed by mobile quarterbacks, and few in the NFL are more mobile than Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is much better when he's able to "improvise" than he is when he's contained in the pocket, and that's going to be a big key for the Vikings in this one. While Everson Griffen and Sharrif Floyd and company need to get the pressure on Kaepernick, they also need to make sure he stays contained and doesn't create yardage and first downs with his legs.
3) Feed Adrian Peterson - The time for talking about it is over. For the first time in 371 days, the Minnesota Vikings will line up with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, and he'll team with Bridgewater for the first time starting this evening. His presence is going to force the Niners to defend the Vikings differently than teams had to defend the Vikings last year. He's going to see plenty of touches tonight, both as a runner and as a receiver, and hopefully he'll be able to take full advantage of that. It's going to be interesting to see how the offense works with both Bridgewater and Peterson on the field together.
We're less than an hour away from kickoff, folks. I'm a bit out of pocket for this one, but hopefully we'll still have a new Open Thread for every quarter. If not, though, we'll work through it the best we can. . .we'll be back to a more normal situation again next week.
SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!