49ers vs. Vikings Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 2, Sunday 9/15
Could Sunday’s San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings matchup be an NFC Championship Game preview? Ok, we won’t go that far, but both teams got out to 1-0 starts, winning their games by double digits. As they look to improve to 2-0 this Sunday afternoon, we’ve shared our best 49ers vs. Vikings predictions.
DraftKings Sportsbook is also currently offering a generous, guaranteed $250+ welcome promo, which we’ll share the details for following the best bet from our 49ers vs. Vikings picks.
49ers vs. Vikings Predictions For Week 2, Sunday 9/15
Christian McCaffrey’s calf/Achilles injury - the elephant in the room. The news broke just before kickoff of the Week 1 Monday Night Football game that he would be inactive, disappointing 49ers fans and fantasy football managers alike.
Despite that, San Francisco cruised to a 32-19 victory over the New York Jets with backup RB Jordan Mason putting up CMC-type numbers. Not to be outdone, the Vikings had one of the most dominant performances of the opening weekend, crushing the New York Giants 28-6. That then leaves the question, what gives for this matchup?
Of course, that’s what our 49ers vs. Vikings predictions are here to help answer, but first, more from each team.
San Francisco 49ers: Making Moves Without McCaffrey?
Before we go any further, it absolutely must be noted that we are not suggesting that the 49ers will be without McCaffrey. CMC himself has recently stated that he expects to be ready for this matchup, and while we can’t 100% rely on that, it still made things seem more promising than Tuesday morning.
Even still, it was proven that head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense truly is a plug-and-play with how well Mason looked on MNF. We are absolutely not saying that he is CMC - no one is - but it should provide confidence for 49ers fans. It’s clear that oddsmakers understand that this matchup is a step up from the Giants for the Vikings, as San Francisco is a clear road favorite.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold Dominates The Day
Speaking of the Vikings taking down the G-Men, QB Sam Darnold looked like the league MVP in Week 1. He’ll be facing his former team (one of them) after a game in which he didn’t throw an incompletion until his 13th pass of the game!
That came after he wasn’t even expected to be the starter in Minnesota but was thrust into the spotlight with rookie QB JJ McCarthy going down for the season with a torn meniscus. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has a superstar WR in Justin Jefferson to throw to. He even has a reliable RB next to him in the backfield, as former Green Bay Packer Aaron Jones is now in the purple and gold.
It was an impressive showing for sure, but as you’ll see in the best bet from our 49ers vs. Vikings predictions in just a moment, we aren’t fully sold just yet.
49ers vs. Vikings Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
One last thing before the best bet from our 49ers vs. Vikings picks - here are the latest 49ers vs. Vikings odds at DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: San Francisco 49ers -5 (-110) vs. Minnesota Vikings +5 (-110)
- Money Line: San Francisco 49ers (-225) vs. Minnesota Vikings (+185)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 46.5 (-110) vs. Under 46.5 (-110)
49ers vs. Vikings Point Spread: San Francisco -5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Right off the bat, it’s worth noting that the look-ahead line for this matchup was the 49ers as favorites of 6.5 - nearly a full touchdown. The CMC injury is certainly the primary factor for oddsmakers adjusting that point spread, but he is not officially out for this game.
For argument’s sake, let’s just pretend that he is. We’re still willing to back the 49ers, as this is more of an overreaction to Week 1. Truthfully, Week 2 is one of the most valuable weeks to bet on the NFL, as we often see overreactions.
Again, Jordan Mason is not CMC, but he’s clearly a back who can thrive in this Shanahan offense. He did so against a Jets defense that is expected to be elite to the tune of 147 yards and a touchdown. Even if he’s able to do half of that performance, it should be enough to help the real star of the show - the 49ers defense.
They spoiled the return of future Hall-of-Fame QB Aaron Rodgers, holding him to just 167 passing yards, which was alongside Jets star RB Breece Hall recording just 54 rushing yards. That all adds up to the Vikings having an infinitely more difficult test than the lowly Giants, which is why the best bet from our 49ers vs. Vikings predictions is San Francisco -5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook).
49ers vs. Vikings Injury Report & Latest News
Given that San Francisco has the biggest injury storyline of the NFL, you’ll want the latest update before making any 49ers vs. Vikings picks:
SF 49ers:
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Questionable)
- LB Dee Winters (Questionable)
- RB Christian McCaffrey (Questionable)
- S Talanoa Hufanga (Questionable)
- G Aaron Banks (Questionable)
- WR Jauan Jennings (Questionable)
MIN Vikings:
- WR Jordan Addison (Questionable)
- S Harrison Smith (Questionable)
- C Garrett Bradbury (Questionable)
- T Brian O'Neill (Questionable)
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Questionable)
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Player News
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo listed Steelers rookie RB Kalenb Johnson alongside Jaylen Warren as co-starters.
Sports Illustrated’s Terrance Biggs believes Falcons WR Nick Nash could “work his way” into the team’s wideout rotation.
Biggs said the 25-year-old undrafted free agent out of San Jose State who in 2024 led all college receivers in catches, yards, and touchdowns could make an impact in offseason workouts and training camp and find his way into a role in the Atlanta offense. “With time,” Biggs said, “you can see Nash work his way into the rotation, earning his keep on special teams and four/five receiver sets.” Nash’s lack of explosiveness and long speed will be tough to overcome, but precise route running and sure hands for the QB-turned-wideout could earn Nash a roster spot this summer. For now, Drake London, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Darnell Mooney sit atop the Atlanta receiver depth chart.
Eagles exercised the fifth-year option for DT Jordan Davis.
After Eagles general manager Howie Roseman in mid-April declined to say whether the team would pick up Davis’ option, the team made the call following Davis played his second straight 17-game season for the dominant Philly front seven. Davis, who has 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss over his past two seasons, was graded by Pro Football Focus as 2024’s 40th best defensive tackle. He will make $12.9 million in the 2026 season.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt believes RB Donovan Edwards will make the Jets roster.
Edwards, who signed with New York as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft, faces an uphill battle to make the final roster behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis. Rosenblatt said “Edwards’ pass-catching skills are his best path to the roster” after the back totaled 86 receptions in four years in college, at 9.3 yards per reception. The highly-athletic Edwards excelled in some big spots for Michigan over the years but never fully emerged as the player many expected to see after his stellar 2022 campaign. If he makes the New York roster, Edwards would likely operate as a special teamer or pass-catching specialist out of the backfield.
Packers signed WR Bo Melton, RB Emanuel Wilson, and P Daniel Whelan to their exclusive rights free agent tenders.
Melton caught on with the Packers in 2023, totaling 16 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown in five games. He added eight receptions for 91 yards in 17 games last season. Melton will continue to be a depth piece in an already-deep Packers wide receiver room. Wilson has also been with the Packers for two seasons and rushed for 502 yards and four touchdowns as Josh Jacobs’ immediate backup last season. He will compete with MarShawn Lloyd for that role again. Whelan is the team’s punter and will be back for 2025. All three signed their exclusive rights free agent tender and will essentially be on one-year contracts this season.
Seahawks re-signed Johnathan Hankins to a one-year contract.
Hankins hasn’t had a PFF run defense grade above 52.4 since 2020 and is primarily called on to play early downs. He turned 33 in March. He’ll be a complimentary piece behind Jarran Reed and Byron Murphy II if he makes the roster out of training camp.