The 49ers host the Vikings on Saturday for their first ever playoff game at Levi’s Stadium.
San Francisco enters the game as heavy favorites, but the margin for error against a well-coached, talented Vikings squad isn’t wide. Here are the three keys to victory for the 49ers in their first postseason game in six years:
1. Just another game
While the gravity of an NFL playoff game is greater than any regular season contest, the 49ers played a string of high-intensity, playoff-like games to close the regular season. They had a razor thin margin of error en route to a division championship and the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and their last five games came down to the final play. If they call on that experience, it’ll negate the lack of postseason experience on the roster.
2. Don’t let Dalvin cook
The Vikings’ rushing attack opens their entire offense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins thrives on play-action throws, so getting Cook rolling means life becomes much easier for him. Putting Cousins in second and third-and-long situations puts the 49ers defense in an extremely advantageous position.
3. Win on the offensive line
Keeping Jimmy Garoppolo upright is paramount. The Vikings’ defense is exceptional when its pass rush is disrupting the quarterback. However, they have some vulnerabilities in the secondary that Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan can exploit as long as they keep Garoppolo clean.
