San Francisco as Spoilers?

The San Francisco 49ers could play the part of spoiler this weekend, as they prepare to take on the newly energized Minnesota Vikings at Monster Park in San Francisco California. Game time is set for 3:05 pm on Sunday.

The 3-9 San Francisco 49ers are hoping to end Minnesota's three game win streak, and put a damper on their playoff run. Just three weeks ago the Vikings were written off for the season and looking as if they would be playing for their draft pick only. After being crushed by the Green Bay Packers 35-0, Minnesota Head Coach Brad Childress had a talk with his team about habits. Childress says it takes 21 days before something becomes a habit. Twenty-one days ago was the Monday after the Minnesota Vikings lost to Green Bay. This speech was stated after Minnesota annihilated Detroit 42-10. Childress and his Vikings are definitely making a habit out of winning and have done so in convincing fashion, with wins over Oakland (29-22), New York (41-17), and Detroit (42-10). Next up for the Vikings is San Francisco this weekend.

The 49ers on the other hand have a different version of this weekend's game. The 49ers still hold last season's embarrassing 9-3 victory over Brad Childress and our Minnesota Vikings. Alex Smith completed a dismal 13 of 21 passes for 105 yards. Smith threw no touchdowns and one interception. In fact, the 49ers total offense for the game was 133 yards. This is not a mis-print. The 49ers running game was held to 42 yards, while their passing attack was held to 105 yards. San Francisco's only points came off three field goals from Jake Nedy. Nedy's field goals were from 25, 30 and 51 yards respectively. It was the low point of the Vikings season, and still leaves a sour taste in the mouth's of both teams.

This season is going about the same for the 49ers. They are sitting at 3-9, out of the playoff hunt, and looking to play spoiler to many teams. San Francisco's final four games are against Minnesota (December 9), Cincinnati (December 15), Tampa Bay (December 23), and Cleveland (December 30). The Vikings are back in the thick of things for the NFC Wild Card game, while Cincinnati is all but eliminated. However, Cleveland is currently the second Wild Card team in the AFC, but are in desperate need of wins if they wish to hold on to that position. Finally, Tampa bay is playoff bound, so a victory for the 49ers over the Buccaneers would be for pride only. Although their record does not show it, San Francisco is a team to be reckoned with. They could very easily end Minnesota's, Cleveland's and Cincinnati's playoff hopes by upsetting all three teams.

The 49ers should be lead by veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer this week. Dilfer has completed 106 of 200 passes this season for 1,121 yards and seven touchdowns. However unimpressive that may seem, Dilfer has also started in five of the twelve games this season. Dilfer is blessed with the running attack of Frank Gore, who has 713 yards on 171 carries and five touchdowns. Gore is by far the leading rusher for the 49ers weak offense the past two seasons. San Francisco's second running back in Michael Robinson, who has only 25 carries for 120 yards and no touchdowns. San Francisco's running game is ranked 27th in the league with 86.6 yards per game.

The 49ers passing attack is their weak spot on an offense that goes nowhere. They are ranked dead last in the league with 145.1 yards per game, and have been showing no signs of life yet. San Francisco's total offense is ranked 32nd in the NFL, and they score the least amount of points per game in the league. San Francisco's leading passer is Arnez Battle who has 43 receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns. Battle averages 12.7 yards per reception, and one yard per carry. Battle has four rushing yards on four carries. Just behind Battle for receiving yards is Vernon Davis. Davis has 37 receptions for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Davis is a 2005 first round draft choice. Sitting only a few yards behind Davis is none other than Frank Gore. Gore has 38 receptions for 318 yards receiving and has not cuaght a pass for a touchdown this season.

San Francisco's defense is a little better than their offense. The 49ers are ranked 26th in the league in rushing, 21st in the league in passing , 23rd in the NFL for total yards, and 24th in the league for total points allowed. The 49ers allow 124.0 yards rushing per game, 222.2 passing yards, 346.2 total yards, and 23.8 total points per game. These 49er are going to have a very tough time of it this Sunday against the newly vamped Viking offensive surge.

The 49ers are going to have their hands full this weekend. They will be trying to contain the number one rushing team in the league, while trying to take down the recently consistent passing unit of the Vikings. San Francisco may look to pass the ball more due to Minnesota's 31st ranked passing defense. However, Minnesota's pass defense has stepped it up in the past few weeks with a total of five interceptions and three touchdowns in three weeks. The Vikings will be looking to keep rolling on offense, and allow their passing defense to do their job as well. This Vikings defense has only allowed four touchdowns in three weeks. The 49ers 27th ranked rushing offense will get nothing going on the ground against this number one rushing defense in.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!