It’s been a good few weeks for both the Vikings and 49ers. The 49ers have beaten the Rams and Jags, while the Vikings have beaten the Packers and Chargers, with both teams putting themselves in the playoff conversation.
If you’re betting on this game then you’ll need our NFL picks and predictions for the Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers.
Vikings vs 49ers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Since the lines opened, we’ve seen the 49ers move from 2.5-point favorites to 3-point favorites. We’ve also seen the points total rise from 48 to 49. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full NFL odds before placing your bets.
Vikings vs 49ers predictions
- Prediction: Vikings +3 (+100)
- Prediction: Over 49 (-110)
- Best bet: Brandon Aiyuk Over 4.5 receptions (+130)
Predictions made on 11/25/2021 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Vikings vs 49ers game info
• Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
• Date: Sunday, November 28, 2021
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Vikings at 49ers betting preview
Weather
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Key injuries
Vikings: Camryn Bynum S (Out), Wyatt Davis G (Out), Harrison Hand CB (Out), Kellen Mond QB (Out), Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR (Out), Chazz Surratt LB (Out), Everson Griffen DE (Out), Michael Pierce DT (Out), Irv Smith TE (Out).
49ers: Maurice Hurst DT (Out), Jamycal Hasty RB (Out), Tavon Wilson S (Out), Colton McKivitz OG (Out), Jordan Willis DE (Out), Mike McGlinchey T (Out), Javon Kinlaw (Out), Jason Verrett CB (Out), Raheem Mostert RB (Out).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their past four road games. Find more NFL betting trends for Vikings vs. 49ers.
Vikings vs 49ers picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
Both teams sit on 5-5 records and come into this matchup on two-game winning streaks. The 49ers took the Jacksonville Jaguars apart last Sunday, following up a very impressive win over the Rams a week earlier. Meanwhile, the Vikings defeated the Packers at the death last week, having beaten the Chargers a week earlier.
The Vikings have been a tricky team to understand this season. All but one of their games has ended with the Vikings within a score of the other team, for better or worse. They’ve had a fairly tough schedule along the way, too, which makes their 5-5 record all the more impressive. There’s little doubt in my mind that the Vikings are the best team in the NFL without a winning record, even ahead of their rivals on Sunday.
Beating their NFC North rivals is never easy but the Vikings pulled it out of the bag against the Packers last week. They only won the game in the final seconds but it was a good performance. Kirk Cousins threw for 341 yards, 169 of which went to Justin Jefferson, with the sophomore hauling in his eight targets for two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook rumbled for 86 yards and a touchdown and caused the Packers problems on the ground.
Kyle Shanahan’s offense has also hit form, scoring 111 points in their last four games, averaging an impressive 27.75 points per game. Jimmy Garoppolo is still under center and has struggled at times, with one badly thrown pass to Jeff Wilson against the Jaguars a real indictment on his ability. Regardless of that, he’s still the signal-caller for this team but he isn’t the real star — that’s Kyle Shanahan. He’s turned the talented Deebo Samuel into a utility tool who is a star on that Niners offense. He ranks number one in missed tackles forced per carry (25+ carries) since 2019, per PFF, and has really broken out this year.
So, we have two fairly well-matched teams here, both similar in defensive ability, with identical records and capable of great moments on offense. When it comes to picking a side, we have to look at the Vikings to cover. They have an uncanny ability to stay within stinging distance of whoever they face and the 49ers aren’t clinical enough. I’m happy taking the Vikings on the moneyline so to get the extra 3 points on the spread is a real blessing.
Prediction: Vikings +3 (+100)
Over/Under analysis
Neither of these teams has an elite defense, despite recent reputations. The Niners are ranked 12th in weighted defensive DVOA, two spots ahead of the Vikings, and both teams have given their opposition opportunities in recent weeks. That leads me to think that both of these dynamic offenses will be free to put up points and end up in yet another shootout for the Vikings.
Given their habit of getting into high-scoring games, it’s no surprise that the Over is 6-1 in the Vikings past seven games on the road. The trends also point us towards the Over for the 49ers, with the Over 6-1 in their past seven games following an ATS win. We’ll be following the trends and backing this game to become another high-scoring shootout, which should easily go Over the 49 point total.
Prediction: Over 49 (-110)
Best bet
Remember when the season started and second-year receiver Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t getting much game time? All the armchair experts on social media fumed and fantasy managers were angry that their high drafted wideout wasn’t doing much. It’s now safe to say that the tides have turned and Aiyuk has done his time on Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse.
Samuel has rightly been the big story for this 49ers team but Aiyuk has really come up on the inside in the past month. In his last four games, Aiyuk has had target shares of 25.9, 20.5, 21.1, and 36.8 percent. That leads up to Sunday’s game, where the sportsbooks have set the line on Aiyuk receptions at 4.5. That’s a number we’ll be hitting the Over on all day.
Over the past three games, Aiyuk has seen 19 targets, 16 receptions, 200 yards and two touchdowns. When a player is ascending like this, you have to back him to continue that form. It’s worth considering Aiyuk for other prop markets, including anytime touchdown scorer and receiving yards, but I feel it’s this prop, total receptions, that gives us the best opportunity of a win and at +130 it’s a great price too.
Pick: Brandon Aiyuk Over 4.5 receptions (+130)
