Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is preparing to enter a hostile road environment on Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers will travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to open their season against the Minnesota Vikings. There, they will face a rabid fanbase with high expectations for the home team and its $84 million man, quarterback Kirk Cousins.
"I've never played there before, but I've heard good things about the stadium," Garoppolo said on Wednesday. "It will be a good, fun environment."
Garoppolo's first start with San Francisco last year was at Soldier Field in Chicago. However, the 49ers quarterback grew up in the area and was excited to return. He had friends and family in the stands, and it was more of a homecoming for Garoppolo.
That won't be the case on Sunday. There won't be too many friendly faces in the crowd.
What is the key to dealing with a hostile environment?
"I think having the communication down early in the week and getting the silence cadence going and all of that stuff and just making sure the communication from coach to player is as good as it could be," Garoppolo answered. "It's tough to simulate that noise, but hopefully (administrative assistant to the head coach Nick) D.J. Kray helps us out with that today (in practice)."
Three of Garoppolo's five late-season wins last year came on the road. The Vikings, however, were 7-1 at home in 2017. Minnesota finished last season with the league's No. 1 ranked defense. The unit was No. 2 against both the pass and the run, so the game will be a tough early test for Garoppolo and the 49ers offense.
"They're talented across the board," Garoppolo said. "Those guys have been playing together for a while, just about all of them. So, they're comfortable in their scheme. They play to their strengths and try to expose your weaknesses. It's going to be a chess match, really. Just a 'who has the chalk last' type of thing."
The Vikings defense has played together for a while now. Garoppolo is looking forward to the challenge of facing a group that is so familiar with one another.
"It's kind of one of those things that wherever the ball is, they're all reacting at the same time and the same way," Garoppolo added. "Good defenses have that. I mean, they're a talented group. They are. It's going to be a challenge for us, but it will be fun."
