DE Arik Armstead

While defensive end Nick Bosa spearheads the 49ers’ pass rush, Armstead needs to be their best player up front Saturday. He’s a very good defender against the run, and he led the team in sacks this season. If he is disrupting quarterback Kirk Cousins, it likely means the rest of the defensive front is getting home. The run game is where Armstead will be especially valuable on the edge though. If he can set that edge and stop the Vikings from getting big runs outside, the rest of the 49ers defense will have a much easier time.