When the 49ers face the Vikings, they will be defending the end zone against one of the most powerful running backs in the league, Adrian Peterson. Even though he is returning from a season ending knee injury, Peterson is still a force to be reckoned with. When Peterson faces the 49ers, he will be facing the toughest run defense in the league.

Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman are the first pair of inside linebackers to be named first team all pro from the same team since the merger. Aldon Smith is a hybrid defensive end that doubles as a linebacker and usually ends up wherever the play goes. But before Peterson even reaches these men, he will have to get through the very substantial Niner defensive line. Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald already have 14 tackles combined after two games.

And then there’s the secondary. If Peterson or anyone else can get past the D line and the linebackers, he will have to face one of the hardest hitting group of safeties and corners assembled by a team. They won’t just hit you either, they will take you down. Dashon Goldson, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Donte Whitner, Carlos Rogers and Perrish Cox are like a swarm of killer wasps. If you dare enter their territory, you WILL feel it. Adrian Peterson, consider yourself warned. You can run, but you can’t hide from this Niner defense.

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Written by Jennifer C.

I have loved football for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so I have a little soft spot for the Seahawks but I am genetically one of the 49er faithful. My family is from the bay area, so being a Niner is a requirement, not an option.

I relocated to Southern California to attend USC on an academic scholarship. During all four years at Southern Cal, I was a coxswain on the women’s varsity rowing team, working out in the same facility as all of the other athletes, including the football team. Knowing the players behind the face masks made all of the games very personal for me and increased my passion for the game. I continue to follow USC players in the league and unless they are playing against the Niners, I will pull for them.

I have been attending 49er games for quite some time. My grandfather has had season tickets for the Niners since they played at Kezar. At 95, he still attends a few games a year and knows everyone in our section.

twitter: @jenniferleechan