Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Vikings: 5 biggest matchups to watch in Week 1

By Aaron Tan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 18: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 18: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 18, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings attempts a catch against Kevon Seymour #27 of the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings attempts a catch against Kevon Seymour #27 of the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon vs. Wide Receiver Adam Thielen

The Vikings’ Adam Thielen is the definition of an underdog. The former undrafted wide receiver experienced a breakout season in 2017, racking up close to 1,300 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He showed off reliable hands, a knack of getting open against any defense and creative ways to earn yards after the catch.

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He may never become a true household name, but that is because he does all his work on the field and is pretty soft-spoken when he’s not playing.

Second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon shares a vaguely similar story to Thielen. He was drafted with high expectations in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft but did not earn significant playing time until midseason. Both players had to work hard and be patient to get onto the field, and that work both paid off for them at the end.

Witherspoon is now the second cornerback for the 49ers alongside Richard Sherman.

This matchup will be a huge test for Witherspoon, who will try his best to keep up with Thielen, one of the most dynamic receivers in the league. The two will probably exchange good and bad plays with each other.

But if Witherspoon can successfully shut down Thielen, then the Niners only have to worry about one other receiver, which leads me to…