- San Francisco (5-1) is a 6.5-point road favorite over Minnesota (2-4) in Week 7 of the NFL season
- Christian McCaffrey’s status is up in the air after he suffered an oblique injury last Sunday
- Monday Night Football on ESPN kicks off from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN at 8:15 pm ET
San Francisco’s undefeated march through the NFL season came to screeching halt in Sunday’s 19-17 defeat to Cleveland. Not only did the Niners lose the game, they lost two star players in Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey.
Will Kyle Shanahan’s club rebound against a Vikings squad coming off their second win of the year? Before we check the odds on the Monday nighter and make our picks, here’s where you can find the best Super Bowl betting tips and the top betting sites for NFL football in 2023.
Vikings vs 49ers
Niners get beat up
Christian McCaffrey extended his touchdown streak to 15 consecutive games before suffering an oblique/rib injury in Sunday’s loss to the Browns. According to league sources, the All-Pro running back has a chance to suit up on Monday night. If not, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason will get the rock. Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and left tackle Trent Williams (right ankle) also have a shot to play.
A popular MVP pick heading into week 7, Brock Purdy completed only 12-of-27 passes for 125 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Cleveland. Even though he could be missing key weaponry, the sophomore QB should find more success against a blitz-happy Vikings defense that ranks middle of the pack in most categories.
Death, Taxes and Christian McCaffrey finding the endzone pic.twitter.com/vXDPFJe7jh
— PFF (@PFF) October 15, 2023
Vikings secure another win
While the 49ers could be without Christian McCaffery, it’s a certainty that Minnesota will be missing Justin Jefferson on Monday night. With his star receiver on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, Kirk Cousins passed for only 181 yards and a TD in Sunday’s victory over Chicago.
Given the Bears are allowing the third-most points (29.3) in the NFL, it’s safe to say that Cousins may be in tough against San Francisco. Steve Wilks’ top-ranked defense is permitting only 14.5 points per game to enemy opponents.
Minnesota vs San Francisco
Minnesota is a 6.5-point home underdog at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night with the over/under set at 44 points. Kevin O’Connell’s team is putting up the third-most passing yards per game (263.7), while averaging only 75 yards on the ground – third-worst in the NFL.
With Jefferson injured and Adam Thielen busy turning back the clock in Carolina, it’s difficult to see how the Vikings will generate offense from here on out. While Brian Flores’ has brought some much-needed bite to the Vikings’ D, containing a Kyle Shanahan attack is not the same as sending heat against Justin Fields.
What was the difference maker for the #Vikings win yesterday?
Kirk Cousins says it was listening to Creed pregame 😂
(@ZachHalverson) pic.twitter.com/94AowyNyCi
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 16, 2023
Recent history
San Francisco captured the last meeting 34-26 back in 2021. They also defeated Kirk Cousins’ crew 27-10 in the 2020 divisional round playoffs.
Best Bet
The Niners’ 30.7 points per game ranks only behind the Dolphins (37.2), so last week’s low-scoring loss to the Browns’ beastly defense should be treated as an aberration.
Even with San Francisco’s injury concerns, the Vikings are severely overmatched on both sides of the ball. We’ll take the 49ers to win by more than a TD with the OVER (44.5 points).
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
