MINNESOTA VIKINGS	PRE 3	SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
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Just like last year, here are the ground rules for the Game Threads:

-Thou shalt not promote illegal feeds of today's game, or I shall kick thy arse to the curb until the game is over. Thou hast been warned.

-Thou shalt make an attempt to keep the swearing to a minimum. Understandable that it will slip occasionally, but do try to limit it. (And, really, it's pre-season, folks.)

-Thou shalt not feed the trolls. Rather, thou shall simply point them out, and they shall be banished to the fires of Mordor. Or Wisconsin. Whichever we feel is more harsh at the time.

-Thou shalt not engage in racist, sexist, or other such insulting rhetoric. Somebody disagreeing with you does not make them racist or sexist. It means they disagree with you. Talk it out like adults.

-Thou shalt not bait the fans of other teams into trolling.

-Basically, thou shalt not be a jackwagon in the game thread.

It's the MOST IMPORTANT PRE-SEASON GAME EVER (of 2013). With the first roster cuts (from 90 down to 75) coming within 48 hours of this game's conclusion, there are some guys that are going to be wearing Minnesota Vikings' uniforms for the last time, and lots of guys playing their tails off to ensure that they're not one of those players.

So, what are the things we're looking for tonight?

1) No injuries - Same as it ever was. . .same as it ever was. . .

2) Sharper offense with Peterson? - The first-team offense has looked. . .shall we say. . .a bit shabby over the first couple of games. They were on the field for all of two players in the pre-season opener, and were clearly unprepared for the Buffalo Bills' blitz package last Friday in upstate New York. The 49ers are one of the measuring sticks on defense in the National Football League, but the Vikings will be giving running back Adrian Peterson his first action of the pre-season this evening. Certainly, teams will have to game plan differently for a Vikings offense with the league's MVP than for one without him. Will it make a significant difference this evening against one of the league's top defenses? I think I speak for everyone when I say, "I sure as heck hope so."

3) Defense is not optional - When the Vikings and Niners faced off at the Metrodome in Week 3 of last season, Alex Smith was still starting at quarterback for the Niners, and they hadn't gotten into the whole "read option" portion of their offense that they did when they made the move to Colin Kaepernick. As this will be the last real tune-up for the Niners' offense (just as it will be for Minnesota's offense), my guess is that Jim Harbaugh and company will be bringing out at least a little bit of that look on offense tonight. Will the Vikings be able to handle it?

One more thing. . .looking back, I noticed that last week's Game Thread got a little bit out of control with insults and other garbage being thrown about. I can assure you that that's not happening this week. Either discuss the game with your fellow Vikings' fans in a decent and respectful manner, or hit the bricks.

We've got about an hour or so before kickoff, ladies and gentlemen, and the Vikings and Niners pretty much have the spotlight all to themselves this evening. Can the Vikings give us something to ease our minds a bit before the regular season opener? (Because, really, I'm not expecting much from Thursday's game against Tennessee.) We'll find out here shortly.

SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!