We're likely still a long way from the point where games will have a playoff intensity, but San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir playfully stoked the flames ahead of their matchup with the Minnesota Vikings with a jab at quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold was the 49ers' backup quarterback last season but is now the Vikings' starter, and will hope to use his experience practicing against the San Francisco defense to build on his excellent Week 1 performance against the New York Giants.

Lenoir, though, clearly believes he could benefit from a renewal of acquaintances with Darnold.

Asked by reporters this week who wins the matchup between him and Darnold, Lenoir replied: "I think I win that for sure. I believe I win. Me and Sam, we done have this connection, this connection, where he like to throw the ball to me. This week I'm coming, he know it.

"But I know he's a talented player. He's gonna come ready to work. I know how he prepares. He gave us great looks when played here with us, just taking over the scout team, he was throwing dimes. So I know it's going to have to be tight, sticky coverage."

Lenoir specializes in sticky coverage and is coming off a Week 1 performance against the New York Jets in which he displayed his playmaking ability.

The former fifth-round pick gave up a contested catch to Garrett Wilson on third down on the Jets' first scoring drive. However, he had strong coverage on that play, demonstrating the ability to recover separation, and redeemed himself in empathic fashion later in the game.

In the third quarter, again matched up with Wilson, Lenoir showcased impressive fluidity in his hips to stay in tight coverage as Wilson sharply broke his route back outside, before getting excellent drive on the ball to tip Aaron Rodgers' throw into the grateful arms of linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

The drive Deommodore Lenoir gets on this ball. So good. pic.twitter.com/uBjJ2IeUti

— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) September 11, 2024

Lenoir ended Week 1 ranked sixth among cornerbacks targeted at least five times in Expected Points Added allowed per target, per Sports Info Solutions. The Jets averaged minus 0.50 EPA when throwing at Lenoir.

It might be difficult to stay at a level whereby offenses lose half a point of EPA every time they throw in his direction. However, with his skills in man coverage and the superb awareness he displays in zone, Lenoir is in an excellent spot to take advantage of a matchup with a quarterback who has tossed double-digit interceptions in every season in which he has played double-digit games.

Lenoir's cause is helped by the absence of Vikings receiver Jordan Addison with an ankle injury. Minnesota still possesses the substantial threat of All-Pro Justin Jefferson but, with the possibility that Charvarius Ward may travel with Jefferson for the entirety of the game, Lenoir could end up with coverage matchups in which he will believe he has a decided edge.

Should Ward produce the kind of coverage on Jefferson that led Aaron Rodgers to entirely ignore the All-Pro corner's side of the field on Monday, then Lenoir will likely be targeted often by Darnold. 

But Lenoir, clearly brimming with confidence, is continuing to prove a difficult corner to pick on. Going against a familiar face and with Addison out of the picture, it's no surprise Lenoir has high hopes of re-establishing his connection with Darnold.

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