San Francisco offense vs. Minnesota defense

	49ERS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	14
	Pass	23
	Tot. Yds.	20
	Scoring	12
	Int's allowed	8
	Sacks allowed	14
	VIKINGS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	18
	vs. Pass	29
	Total yds. allowed	27
	No. of INTs	1
	No. of Sacks	13
	Turnover differential	-11

Niners' QB Jeff Garcia continues to impress, directing the team with poise and sound decision making. In order to mask some lingering injuries on the offensive line, look for Coach Steve Mariucci to stick with predominantly short drop sequences mixed in with occasional rollouts to take advantage of Garcia's ability to throw on the run.

The Vikings are having a very difficult time generating a consistent pass rush, even with the additions of Chris Doleman and Jerry Ball. Minnesota did register four sacks last week against a patchwork Detroit front but the pressure was far too sporadic and virtually non-existent on the Lions final drive.

San Francisco's desire to play to Garcia's strengths has all but eliminated their vertical passing game. To that point, WR Terrell Owens, who is out at least three weeks due to injury, leads the club with a 12.0 per catch average, with Jerry Rice (10.0) and J.J. Stokes (10.8) threatening to fall into single digits. Though the lack of a big-play element should concern Mariucci, San Fran's revised game plan should work well against the Vikings' struggling corners.

On the Lions' game-winning drive, the Vikings soft coverage allowed backup Gus Frerotte to go 5-of-9 for 48 yards in 1:27 and all of the completions were on slants and quick stop routes in front of soft 8-10 yard cushions. All four of Frerotte's incompletions came on spiked passes to stop the clock. Look for the Niners to work outside receivers Rice and Mark Harris until Minnesota finds a way to stop them.

The Vikings are giving up 102.8 yards per game (3.9 avg.) on the ground and they appear to be particularly susceptible to quick-hitters up the middle. The Niners have plenty of plays designed to take advantage of RB Charlie Garner's slashing style but the key will be getting OC Chris Dalman out on MLB Ed McDaniel. Dalman is playing on a bum knee and might have trouble reaching McDaniel, so look for FB Fred Beasley to play a bigger role than usual on Sunday.

Because of injuries up front, the Niners have been forced to limit the number of plays that demand their lineman to pull. Because of Garner's effectiveness (4.9 per carry), the Niners have slowly fazed Lawrence Phillips out of the run game, which makes it easier for defenses to prepare for their offense.

In light of John Randle's recent struggles, the best player on the Vikings' defense has been SS Robert Griffith. Minnesota's struggles at cornerback have dictated a lesser role for Griffith against the run, as he can no longer play as much near the line of scrimmage. Without Griffith in the box, it is imperative that the Vikings get solid play from DTs Ball and Tony Williams. Ball was shut out and Williams managed only two tackles last week -- a big reason why the Lions' marginal backfield averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

Coming into last week's game, WR Randy Moss had only one catch over 30 yards and he doubled that total in the second half against Detroit. The Niners' secondary came up with three big interceptions last week but they did give up six catches and 96 yards to WR Mushin Muhammad. The Vikings hold at least a four-inch height advantage with all three of their receivers, so look for plenty of jump-balls and deep go routes downfield. The Niners are having a very difficult time putting pressure on the quarterback, sacking opposing quarterbacks just four times in the past three games. Although Junior Bryant's shift from RDT to LDE didn't pay dividends last week, this unit should start producing more once players like Brentson Buckner get accustomed to an increased role.

Minnesota's running game took a huge blow last week when RB Robert Smith was lost for up to six weeks with a hernia. With Smith out, short-yardage and goal-line specialist Leroy Hoard assumes the starting role. Hoard is not having the type of season he enjoyed a year ago but he will benefit from George's ability to stretch the defense.

The Vikings will now look to No. 3 RB Moe Williams for a change of pace option on third down. Although he's never really found his niche in the Viking offense, Williams has the ability to be an above-average nickel option. With Hoard hammering the ball inside, Williams should get 5-10 touches a game on swing passes and sweeps. San Francisco's run defense has been superior all season, holding opposing runners to just 3.3 yards per carry, but they have yet to face a line that pulls its center as much as the Vikings. OC Jeff Christy is the key to the Vikings' running game and he will be the key player that the Niners must diagnose on run downs, as he leads most plays.