5 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings' Week 1 Matchup

The upstart Minnesota Vikings will open the 2015 campaign with a trip out west to face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. 

The Vikings have become the chic pick to break out as a playoff team this season, in large part due to the development of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and head coach Mike Zimmer's transformative ability to get the most out of his young, attacking defense. 

Fire up the Gjallarhorn. It's time. 

In the following slides, we will present a handful of bold predictions for Minnesota's Week 1 showdown in San Francisco. 

Quiet Debut for WR Mike Wallace

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Allow a grace period for the Vikings' newest receiver. 

While Mike Wallace should eventually fit in nicely for offensive coordinator Norv Turner's vertical passing game, time is needed before there's the requisite chemistry between quarterback and receiver within the offense. Wallace has been here before: During his first game with the Miami Dolphins in 2013, he caught just one pass on five targets for 15 yards. 

This preseason, Wallace caught just three passes. 

Expect Teddy Bridgewater to lean on Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright and the short-to-intermediate passing game, especially with the losses up front along the offensive line. It's going to take time before Wallace and Bridgewater click. And that's just fine. 

Adrian Peterson Will Rush for More Than 100 Yards

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Normally, predicting a big game for Adrian Peterson wouldn't be considered "bold." 

The circumstances are different for Week 1. 

The rust factor is in play, as Peterson hasn't played in a live game since Week 1 of last season. There's also the opponent to consider: Over three career games against the 49ers, Peterson has averaged just 58 yards and scored zero touchdowns. Could a quiet start be in the cards? 

Don't bet on it. In fact, I wouldn't bank on either issue surfacing for Peterson on Monday night. 

A year off likely recharged his batteries more than it added any rust, and the 49ers defense he'll see in Week 1 has lost a big chunk of its front-seven star power. 

Also, unlike the 2012 season—a year after Peterson blew out his knee—the Vikings don't need to ease him back. He should get a full workload in San Francisco. Give an otherworldly talent the touches he's been craving for 12 months, and electric results are likely to follow. 

QBs Will Be Under Heavy, Constant Pressure

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Given the shuffling along both offensive lines, expect the Vikings to deal with plenty of pressure on offense and dish out equally as much on defense. 

The Vikings will be without center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt, arguably the team's two best offensive linemen. From left to right, Minnesota will start Matt Kalil, Brandon Fusco, Joe Berger, Mike Harris and T.J. Clemmings in front of Teddy Bridgewater. 

The 49ers are in a similar boat, having lost guard Mike Iupati and tackle Anthony Davis this offseason. At center, an injury to starter Daniel Kilgore means Marcus Martin will play. San Francisco will start Joe Staley, Alex Boone, Martin, Jordan Devey and Erik Pears. 

Bottom line: Both Bridgewater and Colin Kaepernick will be under duress when they drop back to pass Monday night.  

The team whose quarterback handles the heavy pressure will likely win. Expect that quarterback to be Bridgewater, who can manage the pocket and throw accurately under pressure. Kaepernick is the better athlete, but running from pressure can only take you so far. 

Breakout Games on Offense, Defense

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While the Vikings may play the late MNF game out on the West Coast, a nationally televised contest could provide the ideal setting for two breakout stars to put their names on the map. 

The Minnesota offense is packed to the brim with storylines, but don't sleep on receiver Charles Johnson. The former seventh-round pick of the Green Bay Packers has developed an undeniable chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater, who leaned on Johnson heavily to end 2014 and during the team's five preseason games. The two could hook up a number of times in San Francisco. 

On defense, keep an eye out for No. 29. You might not hear the name "Xavier Rhodes" much on the broadcast, but his impact will be obvious. The Vikings' top cornerback did not allow a reception during the preseason, partly due to quarterbacks simply avoiding his side of the field. Colin Kaepernick will test Rhodes at his own peril. 

Vikings Win by Double Digits

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Week 1 always presents a difficult challenge for prediction. So much remains unknown, and there's an unmistakable tendency to overreact to the happenings of the offseason and preseason. 

That said, it's hard not to like the Vikings to leave San Francisco with a convincing win. 

Minnesota is an ascending team on both sides of the ball, with an emerging young quarterback, returning All-Pro running back and a defense loaded with young playmakers. A strong preseason has seemed to set the table for the Vikings' arrival as a true playoff contender in 2015. 

Meanwhile, the offseason was nothing short of an unmitigated disaster in San Francisco. One of the NFL's true powers was gutted. 

There certainly could be a rally call for the 49ers around a new start, the team's home opener, the change at head coach and the long-awaited return of linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Or the better team will transcend all the immaterial factors and win a game many are expecting it to win. 

If the Vikings want to be playing in the postseason, these are the kind of games Minnesota must win. A big victory on the West Coast would show the rest of the league the Vikings mean business in 2015.