"49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saw this coming years ago. As a Baltimore Ravens assistant, he once warned his defensive coordinator Rex Ryan that running back Marshawn Lynch was one of the best backs in the league.

Fangio remembers Ryan telling him: "Don't worry about it."

But by halftime of that game, after Lynch had bludgeoned his way for one tough yard after another, Fangio's phone rang up in the coach's booth. It was Ryan. "You were right," he admitted.

Lynch's career has had its ups and downs since, but Fangio's scouting report remains unchanged. As the 49ers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, the defensive coordinator is again sounding the alarm about the former Cal star.

Fangio doesn't have to work as hard to make his case these days. Lynch has led the NFL in rushing yards since Week 9 and has topped the 100-yard rushing mark five times in his past seven games.

"He's running angry," Fangio said, after reviewing game film this week. "He's running with purpose. He's fighting for every inch that he can get."

The 49ers, of course, are on a lava-hot streak of their own. Their top-ranked running defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season.

They also have not allowed a 100-yard rusher over their past 36 games -- three times more than the next longest active streak in the NFL (Miami Dolphins, 12 games.)"