With some dissensions, the NFL media is again going with the heavily-favored home team in this NFC Divisional Game between San Francisco and Minnesota. And once again, it’s fortunate for the Vikings that they still play these games out.

Vincent Frank, Forbes

“San Francisco has a ton of advantages in this one. That’s primarily true on offense, where play-caller Kyle Shanahan has been a ninja. Look for him to take advantage of Vikings weaknesses at cornerback with Samuel, and draw up a tremendous game plan. It’s going to lead to yet another eye-opening performance from a player in Jimmy Garopppolo who has been among the NFL’s five-best quarterbacks over the past couple months.”

49ers 31, Vikings 23

Courtney Cronin, ESPN

“This game will be decided on the final possession. Minnesota and San Francisco might be the most evenly matched teams in the postseason, both with dominant running games and defensive line play. And while the Vikings are coming off a 26-20 overtime victory in the wild-card round, every 49ers game since Week 13 has been decided by a play in the final 10 seconds, including three on the final play. That trend continues Saturday with a nail-biting finish.”

Vikings 28, 49ers 25

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News



“The Vikings have been a gritty road team all season, but their overtime upset of the Saints marked their first victory over a winning team. The 49ers present them a more explosive, versatile offense and a defense that’s good on every level. Minnesota will have some rushing success in San Francisco with a lot more Dalvin Cook. But the Niners back seven is strong, deep and now healthier in coverage, and it operates behind a relentless pass rush. The 49ers will give the Vikings multiple looks with speed and quickness, keeping Garoppolo mostly clean. Their close, big-game experience and home-field advantage will pay off nicely as they take control in the second half.”

49ers 27, Vikings 20

Becca Murphy, The V61

“After Zimmer’s troops played a game they could hardly call their best in a massive upset of the Saints in their dreaded Superdome, I have to look at the open-air of Santa Clara as being a relief to these underdog Vikings. The 49ers have a lot of flashy new objects to play with and talent to burn, but I’m taking Zimmer and the Old School in this tilt. Dalvin Cook is their most valuable player, and he’s ready to run.”

Vikings 27, 49ers 23

Tadd Haislop, Sporting News

“The Vikings ran over the Saints on their way to the Divisional round, both literally and figuratively. The zone rushing attack spearheaded by a healthy Dalvin Cook was too much for a banged-up New Orleans defense, and San Francisco, though supposedly at full health, will have similar issues. The problem for the Vikings is that the 49ers own zone rushing attack is even better. With a trio of talented running backs, the NFL’s best tight end in George Kittle, a deep receiving corps led by breakout star Deebo Samuel and a smooth, savvy distributor in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers are slightly more loaded than an impressive (and notably healthy) Vikings team.”

49ers 27, Vikings 20

Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times

“Minnesota’s defense is hardly a group of pushovers, but San Francisco’s run-heavy approach should be effective, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has shown some creativity in getting the ball to his receivers and to his favorite weapon, tight end George Kittle. This game seems like an obvious win for San Francisco. Of course, the same could have been said of New Orleans.”

49ers 28, Vikings 20

Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports

“As soon as the Vikings upset the Saints on Sunday, I decided I was going to take them to advance to the NFC title game. But then I reconsidered Kyle Shanahan’s offensive strategy and weapons (translation: I got scared) and decided otherwise. That, of course, doesn’t even account for San Francisco’s vaunted defense, which has the talent to get after Kirk Cousins. In reality, Minnesota should still be competitive here. Dalvin Cook looked fresh as ever in New Orleans, and the Niners are more vulnerable to surrendering points than people realize.”

49ers 27, Vikings 23

Jarik Townes, The V61

“The middle chapter of a Cinderella story concerning the Vikings in on. But I think luck is going to be on the side of San Francisco in this one. For all the tags of youth and inexperience some might tag the Niners with, I’m going to put on one Vikings’ OC Kevin Stefanski. Just before he takes the Browns head coaching job, he’s going to fall on his thin playbook when Nick Bosa and the San Francisco front seven put all kinds of pressure on Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins and turn him back into a pumpkin.”

49ers 24, Vikings 13

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com

“Season after season, we re-learn in the playoffs that teams don’t advance based on the best resume. As much as I loved everything about this berserker 49ers team all season, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not their time yet. This Vikings team looks ready.”

Vikings 30, 49ers 27

Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk

“The Vikings put on an impressive performance in New Orleans, winning a game that few thought they could. The 49ers, however, have been the best team in the NFC all season, and there’s little reason to believe that will change in the playoffs. Look for George Kittle to have a big game for San Francisco and the 49ers defense to shut down Kirk Cousins and the Vikings passing game.”

49ers 28, Vikings 10

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

“The Vikings have a major disadvantage here, having played Sunday on the road and now back out on the road against a team with rest. The 49ers earned that right of the top seed, but it’s a big edge for them. Even so, I think the Vikings will hang around here. The Minnesota defense came up big against the Saints and should have success slowing the 49ers. But the San Francisco defense is special. Dare I say it: I still think Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook get the best of it on this day. Upset special.”

Vikings 20, 49ers 16

CONSENSUS:

49ers 27, Vikings 21



