Week 3 is set to kick off once again on a Thursday night. Unlike Week 2, NFC North teams won't be battling on Thursday, as this Thursday, the New York Giants visit the Carolina Panthers.

Unfortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, they face the toughest test among NFC North teams in Week 3, as they take on the San Francisco 49ers.

The Detroit Lions, 1-1 like every team in the NFC North currently, head to Tennessee to take on the 0-2 Titans, who haven't been one bit explosive on offense so far this year.

Lovie Smith's Chicago Bears return home to Soldier Field, where they'll play host to Jeff Fisher and the 1-1 St. Louis Rams. The Rams managed to pull off a mild upset in Week 2, defeating the Washington Redskins, so they might be able to do the same in Chicago.

The Green Bay Packers are once again being featured on primetime, as they host the 1-1 Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

Clearly, If the Vikings want to keep a claim of first place, they'll need to make sure they take care of business against a tough foe in the 49ers this weekend.

Be sure to check out the full week's schedule over at SI.com.

For the latest on the Vikings, check out the Daily Norseman.