The Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers are right back in the playoff picture after both teams recorded wins in each of their last two outings. They will look to bolster their postseason bids further when the Vikings and the 49ers lock horns in a key NFC clash at Levi's Stadium. Who will prevail in this Vikings vs 49ers showdown? Here's a breakdown of this matchup.
Minnesota Vikings enter Week 12 as +2.5 underdogs
Minnesota chalked up its fifth win of the season with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. It was a critical victory for the Vikings, who moved to .500 for the second time this season with their 5-5 record. They now trail the Packers by just 2.5 games in the NFC North standings entering Week 12.
Minnesota's win would not be possible without the heroics of Kirk Cousins. The Vikings quarterback completed 24 of 35 passes for 341 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the win against Green Bay.
Cousins did not get rattled with Green Bay's late comeback in the fourth quarter, leading the Vikings to a scoring drive in their final possession of the game. He calmly brought the Vikings to field goal range, with Greg Joseph kicking the game-winning 29-yard attempt as time expired.
Cousins has been phenomenal for the Vikings to start the season, throwing for 2,775 yards and 21 touchdowns with only two interceptions through their first 10 games. Heading into Week 12, Cousins is seventh in the league in passing yards and sixth in passing touchdowns.
Cousins had some help from Justin Jefferson in the win against Green Bay. He caught eight passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 11 victory. Cousins and Jefferson will have their work cut out for them, however, against a 49ers team that is sixth in the NFL in passing defense, allowing just 318.3 yards per game through the air this season.
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San Francisco 49ers installed as -2.5 favorites
San Francisco extended its winning streak to two games with an impressive 30-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. It was a critical win for the 49ers, who trail leaders Arizona by just 3.5 games in the NFC West with their 5-5 record. More importantly for the Niners, they have now tied with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints for sixth place in the NFC, carrying similar 5-5 slates.
They have an excellent opportunity to create some separation with one of those two teams as they will host the Vikings in a key clash in Week 12. For the 49ers to record the all-important win, they will need Jimmy Garoppolo to continue his outstanding play. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win against the Jags.
The key to San Francisco's resurgence has been its stellar play on the defensive end. They have allowed an average of just 10 points in their last two games against the Los Angeles Rams and the Jaguars, both of which ended in at least 20-point wins.
Writer's Prediction
San Francisco wins and covers the spread.
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