Let's make a statistical case for the Vikes!
They're playing at home.
Defense: They have the 12th ranked defense in the league right now in terms of yards allowed (one spot behind the 49ers). They're 17th in points allowed because they keep giving up scores in two-minute offense situations. If they clean that up against SF it will help their chances immensely. The Vikings have allowed 5 more points than the 49ers.
They're ranked #12 against the run and SF likes to run the ball. After two games, the Vikes are allowing and average of 3.1 ypc on the ground. Only 6 teams are allowing a lower ypc average 9and Sf isn't one of them—they're right behind the Vikes at 3.2 ypc).
Remarkably, considering how frustrating they've been to watch, the Vikings are ranked #10 against the pass. They're ranked just ahead of the 49ers in that department too, allowing 6.9 yards per catch compared to 7.0 for SF.
Conclusion: the Vikings defense is as good as the 49ers.
Offense: The VIkes offense is ranked 17th, just a few spots behind SF's 14th-ranked offense. The Vikings are averaging 358 yards per game. SF is averaging 363.
SF is 8th in scoring. The Vikings are 15th. They average 23 ppg compared to 28.5 for SF.
The Vikings are ranked 13th in passing (SF is 25th) and 14th in rushing (SF is 3rd, averaging a whopping 5.7 yards per rush!).
Ponder has the best completion % in the league right now (75.

. Alex Smith's % is a pathetic 70.2 and he's only thrown 2 more TDs than Ponder. neither QB has thrown an INT. It may surprise some to learn that Ponder has thrown for more yards and a higher average than Smith (Ponder—515 and 8.9 yard average; Smith — 437 and a 7.7 average).
The Vikings have the league's second-ranked receiver: Percy Harvin!
The 49ers have some has-been named Moss.
See? This game could actually be close!
Okay, I'm just having fun and the 49ers are the better team but the Vikings actually do have a chance in this one if they play smart, disciplined football. It's nota great chance but it's possible. They might be more competitive than people expect...