Minnesota at San Francisco

This is an evenly matched game between two great defenses and ball-control offenses. Minnesota's balanced offense is sixth in rushing yards (133.3 per game), #10 in yards per play (5.83), eighth in points per contest (25.4). They outplayed the Saints for most of the game in a 26-20 victory as a +7 dog. They ran for 136 yards and held the Saints to 324 total yards, forcing two turnovers. Minnesota's defense is fifth in points allowed and sacks (48), 16-7 UNDER the total as an underdog, 17-8-1 UNDER as a road dog, and 13-6-1 UNDER in January. This veteran team is well-coached and not intimidated by playing in hostile environments, winning at Dallas (28-24) and New Orleans (26-20 in OT), and losing close ones at Seattle (37-30) and Kansas City (26-23). They match up well with a San Francisco offense that is second in rushing (144 yards per game), while the defense is eighth in points surrendered (19.4 pg), second in yards allowed, and tops against the pass. These teams rank second and third with the highest run-percentage rate in the NFL, so look for a grind-it-out, close, low scoring game -- just like last year. The Vikings beat the 49ers last season, 24-16, as Kirk Cousins outplayed Jimmy Garoppolo (three picks). The talented visitors are more than capable of pulling off another win. Play Minnesota ATS, as well as on the moneyline and also take the UNDER.