2018 NFL Picks & Betting Odds Week 1 – San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings Predictions

2018 NFL Picks & Betting Odds Week 1 – San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings Predictions: The first NFL Sunday of the 2018 NFL season kicks off on Sunday, September 9th with week 1 football action including an NFC showdown that has the San Francisco 49ers on the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for 1PM EST from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. The betting odds for this game have the Vikings a -6.5 point favorite at Bovada Sportsbook with the game total at over/under 46 points. You can bet on this game at Bovada and get upto a 100% MATCH BONUS on your 1st deposit. Read more about Bovada and the current bonus offers they are offering on our Bovada Sportsbook review page.

2018 NFL Picks & Betting Odds Week 1 – San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings take the field at home on Sunday with Super Bowl expectations this season after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins the offseason. The former Redskin signal caller is a clear upgrade over Case Keenum in our opinion and should give the Vikings a more explosive passing game to compliment it’s dominating defense this season.

The Vikings went 13-3 overall last season and made the NFC Championship Game where they ended up getting outclassed and dominated by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Mike Zimmer was never totally sold on Case Keenum as his long-term answer at the quarterback position and was fully on board in going after Cousins in free agency. Cousins should help a Vikings offense that finished 11th in total passing at 234.6 yards per game last season and 10th in scoring at 23.9 points per game.

The dominant unit on the Vikings is clearly their defense. The defense finished 1st overall in total defense by allowing just 275.9 yards per game and 1st in points allowed at 15.8 points per game. The defense should just as good this season with some nice additions including veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

The San Francisco 49ers come into the 2018 season also believing they can make a run at the Super Bowl as they begin their first full season with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers made an absolute heist last year by trading for the young signal caller in a trade with New England where they only had to surrender a 2nd round pick. Garoppolo showed he was the real deal by leading the 49ers to a 5-0 record down the stretch and signed a long-term extension in the offseason to make sure he is running the show in the Bay for years to come.

The 49ers finished just 6-10 overall last season but 5-0 under Garoppolo. The young signal caller is the reason why many experts feel 49ers have an outside shot at winning the NFC this season and certainly being able to compete for the NFC West Division title. The real and only question about Garoppolo is whether or not he can play a full season so the jury is still out on the 49ers chances until he answers that question.

Defensively, the 49ers finished just 24th overall in the NFL last season at 351.6 yards per game allowed and 25th in points allowed at 23.9 points per game. The front office decided they needed a veteran leader that could help guide the youngsters along and they brought in former Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman to fill that role. Sherman isn’t what he was but he can still play and his leadership will be invaluable.

The 49ers are going to be for real this season and Garoppolo is the reason why. Take the points and don’t be surprised to see the 49ers possibly win outright.

Bet on San Francisco +6.5 at Bovada Sportsbook.

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