(By Daisy Barringer)

The weirdest part about football season is that it’s the only time of year when I actually wish my weekends away. Like Friday night and Saturday? Useless. Because all I’m waiting for is for them to hurry up and end already so we can get to the only thing in my life with any meaning: FOOTBALL.

Speaking of which, the 49ers have an interesting game ahead of them as they head back out on the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings. At first glance, I think most people are writing this one off, just assuming the Niners will get the win. But it’s not like the Vikings are just going to hand this one to us. There’s a lot of work to do and, whether we like it or not, the 49ers now have a lot to prove. Perhaps more to prove than anyone else in the NFL thanks to all of the hype.

So what’s it gonna take? Let’s start with:

The Good

  • The 49ers are solid. On offense, on defense, on special teams, and on coaching. There’s not really much more to be said.
  • Sure, the Vikes have Adrian Peterson, but he’s their biggest weapon and we know it. Therefore, our stellar run defense should be prepared for him.
  • Alex Smith. Yup, he’s in “The Good” category, my friends. In two games: 437 yards passing, four touchdowns, 70.2 completion percentage, 115.9 passer rating. AND ZERO INTERCEPTIONS. (Knock on wood.)
  • Of course, Smith needs people to catch the ball. Enter: Vernon Davis. He caught three of Smith’s four TDs this year and has caught 29 of Smith’s 72 career scoring passes (40.3 percent). I think we’ll see one or two more this Sunday.
  • We’re just a good football team. I know I keep saying it, but it’s true. And awesome.

The Bad

  • People are calling this a “trap game.” The 2-0 Niners vs. the 1-1 Vikings, the latter of which many people have totally written off this year. Let’s just hope our boys aren’t caught up in that mentality and that they prepared as well as they did for Green Bay. If so, we should be okay.
  • The Vikings have a solid run defense. So far, they’ve only allowed 98.5 yards per game on the ground. Of course, Frank Gore looks pretty good out there, so it will be interesting to watch.
  • Jared Allen. Yikes. He had 22 sacks last year and I’m sure he’d love to take down Alex Smith a few times.
  • Speaking of which: What’s up with Joe Staley this year? Dude’s allowed three sacks. He needs to step it up immediately.
  • The Replacement Refs. SERIOUSLY NFL? This is getting out of hand. Deal with it. Now.

The Rest of It

  • The 49ers run defense vs. Adrian Peterson. I’m pretty sure we’ve all heard how Peterson doesn’t think the 49ers have faced a “run-attack offense” like the Vikings. [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/21/adrian-peterson-49ers-havent-seen-run-offense-like-ours/] We shall see…
  • I’m still waiting for breakout performances from Patrick Willis and Justin Smith. Will this be their week? I think (hope) so.
  • Randy Moss returns to Minnesota. [http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/09/19/moss-returns-to-where-he-became-a-star] Frankly, considering Randy Moss isn’t getting much playing time, this is a non-factor. But it was fun to watch him catch that TD in Green Bay and I’d love it if Alex Smith could get him one in the Metrodome.
  • And while you’re waiting for Sunday to get here, check out Patrick Willis in this Duracell commercial they showed at Candlestick last week. It’ll make you love him even more.

Overall, this is sort of a quiet football game. No major injuries. No huge rivalry. Just the 49ers on the road at 10 a.m. Can we go 3-0? I say yes.

Watch San Francisco at Minnesota at 10 a.m. on FOX.