Vikings vs. 49ers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

Are the San Francisco 49ers a better team this year?

A year after narrowly missing the Super Bowl, the expectations are now sky-high in the Bay Area. QB Alex Smith finally has the same offensive coordinator for a second consecutive year, and he also has more receivers at his disposal with the additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.

With one of the best defenses in the league returning all 11 starters, the expectations are high in San Francisco.

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to rebound after a last-place finish in the NFC North. They bolstered their O-line by drafting Matt Kalil fourth overall. The outlook for QB Christian Ponder has risen significantly in his second year, but there is a large question mark hanging over Adrian Peterson. Will he be 100 percent after tearing his ACL late last season?

While all of these questions won't be answered right away, there are plenty of storylines to keep this game interesting throughout. Here is everything you need to know about this Week 1 preseason opener.

Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco

When: Friday, Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. ET

Watch: NFL RedZone, Fox (local markets)

Radio: KSAN 107.7 FM in San Francisco; KFXN-FM (100.3) in Minnesota

Live Stream: Preseason Live

What’s at Stake?

You can't sugarcoat the importance of a preseason game, but there are two players to keep an eye on as you watch this contest early on.

Ponder was 2-8 as a starter in his rookie season last year, but he did throw for 1,853 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He showed signs of improvement throughout the year, and now the training wheels have come off.

Having success early, even if it’s only the preseason, will go a long way in building his confidence for the rest of the year.

Then there is the return of Moss.

Moss sat out for the entire 2011 season and has an endless list of doubters who believe he's washed up. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a QB who doesn't have a rocket arm on a team that heavily relies on the run game.

This will be our first chance to get a look. 

Vikings Injury Report

The following players won't be making the trip to San Francisco (via CBS Sports):

• CB Robert Blanton (hamstring)
• TE John Carlson (knee)
• WR Kamar Jorden (broken hand)
• OL DeMarcus Love (shoulder)
• RB Jordan Todman (ankle)
• OT Geoff Schwartz (sports hernia)
• RB Adrian Peterson (knee)
• CB Josh Robinson (hamstring)

 

49ers Injury Report

The 49ers are very healthy entering the preseason schedule (via ESPN.com):

• Questionable: WR Joe Hastings (leg)
• Questionable: RB LaMichael James (unknown)

 

What They're Saying

The 24-year-old Ponder knows he needs to have a strong start, and that begins Aug. 10. He sounds ready (via CBS Sports):

"

"I don't know how much the first-string offense is going to play, but we have to go out and make a statement. Our goal is to score every time we have the ball. Whether it is one drive or three drives—whatever time we have to make sure that we are efficient, make sure things are clicking, that we're disciplined and we perform."

"

A familiar face will be at Candlestick when the Vikings visit. Former head coach Mike Singletary is entering his second season as an assistant for the Vikings, and he sounds like a man who still thinks highly of his former franchise (via Mercury News):

"

"No. 1, I'll always be indebted to the 49ers," Singletary, a second-year assistant with the Minnesota Vikings, told the Bay Area News Group in an exclusive phone interview. This was his first extended interview about the 49ers since a month after his 2010 dismissal.

"They gave me an opportunity when they could have chosen many others in their organization. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at an organization that really wants to win."

"

Singletary went 18-22 in his 49ers coaching career.

 

Minnesota's Key Addition: Matt Kalil 

When you invest a top-five pick in the offensive line, the expectations are for him to start from Day 1.

Kalil knows as much, and he instantly will be an important cog for this team. It should be interesting to see how he handles the likes of Justin Smith in his first game action.

Kalil has all of the tools in the world to succeed; now it's a matter of putting them to the test.

 

San Francisco's Key Addition: Mario Manningham

While Moss may be the bigger name, Manningham likely will have a greater impact on the field.

The fifth-year receiver was one of the heroes for the New York Giants in the Super Bowl and is in charge of assisting Smith in improving the 29th-ranked pass offense from a year ago.

USA Today reports that Manningham has being getting a ton of advice from Moss and seems to understand his importance on the team.

Expect Smith to take one shot down the field with Manningham in this one.

 

Key Matchup: Ponder and Kalil vs. 49ers Pass Defense

While Smith and the 49ers' first-team offense won't be on the field for more than a possession or two, the Vikings should get a full quarter of opportunities.

One of the main reasons Minnesota ranked 28th in passing yards last season was because of their poor pass protection. Kalil is charged with changing that, and his first shot will come against a 49ers defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in sacks last season.

Ponder must show the coaches that with a full offseason of preparation, he has a better grasp on secondary options so he doesn't release from the pocket as frequently as he did last season.

It will be an early-season test for the young Vikings offense.

 

Prediction: Vikings 17, 49ers 13

The Vikings are going to play their starters for more of this game and will be able to take advantage of the 49ers second team.

In a game that means absolutely nothing for the 49ers aside from shaking off some rust, expect Ponder to get two touchdowns and a preseason win.

 

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