Game Day: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers

Tonight, the San Francisco 49ers (0-0) will host the Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

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The 49ers open the 2015 regular season at home against the Vikings in the second of ESPN's two Monday Night Football games to finish the NFL's opening week. The 49ers are hosting the Vikings in the regular season for the first time since 2007, a game which Minnesota won 27-7. The 49ers have posted a 35-29-1 record on opening day in their 65-year history, including wins in four consecutive season openers and five of the past six.

The 49ers are coming off of an offseason that saw the exile of the team's head coach and much of the coaching staff, the loss of a number of free agents including the team's all-time rushing leader, Frank Gore, and the retirements of players like Patrick Willis and Justin Smith. Despite this, the players have remained confident and a lot of talent remains on the roster.

San Francisco enters the 2015 season under head coach Jim Tomsula, who was hired on January 14, 2015. Tomsula enters his ninth season with the 49ers after serving as the team's defensive line coach for the past eight seasons. In 2010, Tomsula served as the interim head coach for the final game of the regular season, earning a 38-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

On offense, the 49ers hope that the addition of WR Torrey Smith via free agency and QB Colin Kaepernick's offseason work will help give a boost to the team's passing game. RB Carlos Hyde takes over for Frank Gore who left for Indianapolis. The biggest question mark on offense has been the team's offensive line. Although, the same can be said for the Vikings.

In four career starts on Monday Night Football, QB Colin Kaepernick is 4-0 with 1,018 passing yards and 9 touchdowns. He has registered three of his top five highest passer ratings on Monday Night Football.

On defense for the 49ers, the biggest story is LB NaVorro Bowman, who is returning from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in January of 2014. The biggest question mark on defense is the starting cornerback spot opposite of Tramaine Brock. Kenneth Acker and Keith Reaser have been competing for the job.

This game also marks the debut of the 49ers' new black alternate jerseys in a game.

Kickoff: Monday, September 14 at 7:20 PM PT

Television: The game will be televised on ESPN

Bay Area Radio: KGO 810 & The Bone 107.7 (Other radio affiliates)

Spanish Radio: KTRB 860

Last Meeting: 9/23/12, Vikings win 24-13, at Min.

All-Time Matchup: Series is tied 22-22-1

Current Streak: Lost 3

Betting: The Vikings are 2 point favorites.

NFL Fan Picks: 54% pick the 49ers to win according to Yahoo! Sports

49ers Fan Picks: Within our Pick 'em Contest, 86% believe the 49ers will win

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Game Articles

Vikings lose starting center; Minnesota defense expecting read option
Sacramento Bee

Vikings expect 'up-tempo' 49ers offense on Monday night
CSN Bay Area

49ers DC Mangini expects a lot from Brooks vs Vikings
CSN Bay Area

Vikings' and 49ers' coaches confident in iffy offensive lines
San Francisco Chronicle

49ers LB Ahmad Brooks ready for Vikings
San Francisco Chronicle

Vikings likely to test 49ers young CB Acker
CSN Bay Area

Adrian Peterson will be barometer for NaVorro Bowman, 49ers' rebuilt defense
Sacramento Bee

NaVorro Bowman, Adrian Peterson feel each other's pain
ESPN

Week 1 Main Matchup: NaVorro Bowman vs. Adrian Peterson
The Mercury News

Preview: 49ers vs. Vikings
The Mercury News

Poll

• Who will have a better game on Monday night?
• Colin Kaepernick
  96%
• Teddy Bridgewater
  4%
• 102 votes