On paper, and by looking at the eye test, the San Francisco 49ers defense is superior in its Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings offense.
Granted, the Niners get to face an old friend and teammate in quarterback Sam Darnold, who performed well against the New York Giants in Week 1. But San Francisco is equally familiar with Darnold as he is with its defense, so it’s not as if he holds a key advantage there.
That said, the Norsemen provide plenty of challenges to the 49ers defense, which stifled the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 1 but faces entirely different obstacles on the road on a short week this Sunday.
There aren’t too many weaknesses on the Niners defense, but Darnold and Co. will try to find them, meaning these three San Francisco players have to thrive (or at least not be vulnerabilities) in Week 2.
No. 1: Defensive end Leonard Floyd
Veteran edge Leonard Floyd tallied the 49ers’ lone sack from Week 1, and that’s precisely what the Niners want him to continue doing against a tough Minnesota offensive line this weekend.
But the pass rush isn’t exactly a concern here.
To keep Darnold from playing hero ball, the Vikings will likely feature a lot of running back Aaron Jones, who managed 94 yards and a touchdown against the G-Men while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Most of those rushes went to the weak side of the formation, too, which is where Floyd will often find himself trying to set the edge.
Floyd’s prowess as a pass-rusher is understood, but he’s much more of a liability against the run, meaning Jones will likely run at him early and often.
No. 2: Cornerback Charvarius Ward
Check out this regarding cornerback Charvarius Ward’s performance against the Jets in Week 1.
Simply put, quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t dare target Ward’s side of the field. Like, at all.
Minnesota will likely try figuring out ways to get star wide receiver Justin Jefferson away from Ward, unless defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen opts to have Ward shadow the perennial All-Pro, especially with signs pointing to fellow wideout Jordan Addison (ankle) not being available.
If that’s the case, Ward will have a shot to put up his A-game, one which led the NFL with 23 pass breakups a year ago.
No. 3: Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave
Floyd and fellow edge rusher Nick Bosa may have a tough time getting to Darnold over the Vikings’ two excellent offensive tackles, Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, meaning the interior pass rush might need to be an X-factor.
This is where Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave comes into play.
Hargrave, who managed seven sacks a year ago during his first campaign with San Francisco, is facing an injured center in Garrett Bradbury, who is dealing with a knee injury. Perhaps that plays to Hargrave’s advantage. But, either way, the 49ers would like to muster more than just a single sack as was the case last week versus New York.
Look for Hargrave to provide some thump here when the Niners and Vikings square off on Sunday, Sept. 15.
