Getty The San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Playoofs Saturday. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The NFC Divisional Round kicks off Saturday when the Minnesota Vikings (11-6) head to Levi’s Stadium to take on the No. 1 seed in the conference, the San Francisco 49ers (13-3).
The game is scheduled to start at 4:35 p.m. ET and will be televised on NBC. If you don’t have cable, you can watch a live stream of the game on your computer, phone, Roku, Fire TV Stick, or other streaming device via one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
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FuboTV
NBC (live in select markets) is one of the 95-plus live TV channels included in the main FuboTV bundle, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch a live stream of the Vikings vs 49ers on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which will allow you to watch the game on-demand within three days of its conclusion, even if you don’t record it.
Sling TV
Sling TV’s “Sling Blue” package comes with 47 channels, including NBC (live in select markets). It costs $20 for the first month ($30 per month after that), which makes Sling the cheapest streaming service with NBC if you plan on keeping it long term:
Or, as part of a special deal that Sling is currently offering, you can get a free Amazon Fire TV Stick if you prepay for two months:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch the Vikings vs 49ers live on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, or other streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch live, Sling TV comes included with 10 hours of cloud DVR.
AT&T TV Now
AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now) offers six different channel bundles. They range from 45 to 125 live TV channels, and they all include NBC (live in select markets). The “Plus” and “Max” packages come with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for AT&T TV Now, you can watch a live stream of the Vikings vs 49ers on your computer via the AT&T TV Now website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or other compatible streaming device via the AT&T TV app.
If you can’t watch live, AT&T TV Now — no matter what channel package you choose — comes with included cloud DVR.
Hulu With Live TV
NBC (live in select markets) is included in Hulu With Live TV, which comes with 60-plus live TV channels and Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of TV shows and movies:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch a live stream of the Vikings vs 49ers on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show, or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu With Live TV comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as the option to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of space and the ability to fast-forward through commercials.
Vikings vs 49ers Preview
The Vikings are coming off a huge upset victory over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Game last Sunday, while the 49ers had extra time to game play with their first-round bye. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 242 yards, and was clutch, tossing a pretty 43-yard pass to Adam Thielen in overtime to set up the game-winning toss to Kyle Rudolph.
Star running back Dalvin Cook had 94 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns last week against the Saints, and he’ll be facing San Francisco’s top-five defense. The Niners are surrendering 18.4 points a game, and whether or not they can contain Cook will be one of this game’s key matchups. Another thing to watch will be the effectiveness of Vikings star wide receiver Adam Thielen, who got stitches in his ankle this week and will be playing regardless.
The Vikings defense played well against Drew Brees and the high-powered Saints, and the Vikes have 30 takeaways this year, which is third in the league. Minnesota also has 48 sacks on the season, which is fifth in the league.
The 49ers will be getting a boost on defense in this one with the return of starting outside linebacker Kwon Alexander, but the status of Dee Ford remains a huge concern for this 49ers team. If Ford can’t go against Minnesota, it could leave their defense more vulnerable than usual.
San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will be making his playoff debut, and he will have all of his weapons ready to go. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders are all healthy, and so are Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Much will depend on how well Garoppolo handles the spotlight in the biggest game of his career.
Minnesota has won four of the last five games of the series between these two teams.