Monday September 14, 2015
Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers

This could be a low-scoring affair. While the 49ers’ defense clearly isn’t what it once was, it may not be as terrible as people think. At the same time, as great as everyone expects Teddy Bridgewater to be, it’s still a projection. Don’t get me wrong, I’m high on him, but he’s proven very little as has all his weapons aside from Adrian Peterson. The Vikings are going to win comfortably, it may just not be because they scored a ton of points. Also, the Vikings defense may end up being among the best in the league, they have a ton of young talent on that side of the ball. Their defense will be better than their offense.

Minnesota Vikings: Key Players

QB Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater is expected to be a breakout star this season. He very well may be, but I expect him to end up outside the top-twelve QBs. Still, this could be a very good matchup for him. This could be a game that you start him. Especially if you have a QB1 with a really tough matchup, like Russell Wilson for example.

Verdict: Start Bridgewater. He’s a tough one because you can have a top-tier QB and Bridgewater. So if you do, don’t do anything crazy. You’re not benching Andrew Luck for Bridgewater.

RB Adrian Peterson
If you have Peterson you likely spent a top-five pick on him at least, so you are staring him every single week. AP is matchup proof. Until ha shows significant decline, you should start him every week.

Verdict: Start Peterson. Because you always start him.

WR Charles Johnson
Make no mistake, Johnson is the top option in Minnesota. He is set for a breakout year. The Vikings got incredibly lucky that he was a Brown last preseason. Despite being by far their best receiver in the preseason and having a terrible WR corps with Josh Gordon suspended for the season, they were still incompetent enough to waive Johnson.

Verdict: Start Johnson. He’s going to have a huge year and it’s going to start this week.

WR Mike Wallace
Wallace is Bridgewater’s newest weapon. He is a top of the line deep threat but tends to underachieve at times due to his poor attitude. He never really fit in while he was at Miami. He is a deep threat and Ryan Tannehill didn’t throw a good deep ball. However, both teams had plenty of complaints about his attitude.

Verdict: Sit Wallace. Wait and see how he fits in before you start him. He’s a boom-or-bust option that may be more bust than boom this year. Monitor his production and if he’s doing consistently well, plug him in.

TE Kyle Rudolph
Rudolph has always been talented, he just can’t stay healthy. If you drafted him, play him while you got him because he’s a high injury risk.

Verdict: Start Rudolph. With all the turnover in San Francisco, particularly at linebacker, Rudolph should be able to exploit their defense. He’s a talented young kid, just snake bitten by injuries.

San Francisco 49ers: Key Players

QB Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick looked poised to be a breakout star after taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl and has never lived up to expectations. He has regressed each season since. He was horrendous last season as were the 49ers. It’s very tough to trust him at this point.

Verdict: Sit Kaepernick. He just flat out hasn’t been very good in a long time. He’ll have his flashes but they are few and far between now. You can’t rely on him.

RB Carlos Hyde
Hyde is a really tough guy to judge. I really liked him coming out of Ohio State but the 49ers’ offense is such a mess right now, particularly the offensive line. Many didn’t believe in Hyde when push came to shove. If you did, stick with him.

Verdict: Start Hyde. If you drafted him to start him, do so. It’s not great matchup by Hyde is a guy you’re going to have to stick with weekly. If it’s not working out, reevaluate heading into Week 4.

WR Anquan Boldin
There isn’t a lot to not like about Boldin. He’s a big-bodied veteran with great hands. He has had a borderline Hall of Fame career, despite being extremely underrated. He’s a guy that’s going to go out every week and catch passes. It sounds simple, but it’s what has made him great.

Verdict: Start Boldin. He’s an ideal back-end starter. He consistently gives you points week in and week out.

WR Torrey Smith
Smith is a deep threat with bad hands. That makes him a boom-or-bust option with a whole lot of bust potential. He’s a tough guy to get behind and frustrating to watch if he’s on your team. He tends to disappear for extended periods of time.

Verdict: Sit Smith. There is just too much downside and too many good receivers. There is no reason to have Smith in your lineup this week.

TE Vernon Davis
Davis had a nightmarishly bad season in 2014. He should be better this season, it would be difficult to be any worse. While I do expect him to bounce back, this may not be a great week and it’s far too soon to trust him.

Verdict: Sit Davis. There is no way he’s a TE1 at this point and there is no reason to hurt him. It’s very unlikely he’s your best option.

Final Score
Minnesota: 23
San Francisco: 10

Best Play
Vikings: Adrian Peterson
49ers: Anquan Boldin

Sleeper
Jarius Wright