The San Francisco 49ers have a significant question mark heading into the Week 18 game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 3 at Levi’s Stadium.
After injuring his hamstring early in the Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears, Trent Williams is questionable for the contest against Seattle.
As a result, for ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes, the Niners’ ability to secure the NFC West division and No. 1 seed in the conference will depend on whether the veteran offensive tackle is ready to go.
“I think the game plan is going to be really contingent upon the availability of Trent Williams,” Kimes said on the January 2 edition of “NFL Live.” “I’m not so sure he plays. That’s something I’m monitoring until Saturday, coming off the hammy, and that is massive.
“We think of him as being so important, obviously, in pass protection, and we know how good this Seahawks foreman rush is, and how tremendous Mike McDonald is, by the way, at isolating weaknesses on the offensive line and attacking them with creative stunts, simulated pressures, and the like. But to me, where his presence looms largest is on the ground.
“Since the beginning of 2024, when Trent Williams plays, the Niners average 4.6 yards per carry. Without him, that drops to four. That might not sound like a lot. That’s the difference between the sixth or seventh-best rushing attack in football and the 28th. They go way more pass-heavy when he does not play.”
What Will the 49ers Do If Trent Williams Can’t Go?
Moreover, Kimes went into about what the 49ers will do if they cannot count on Williams being there to help their run game and take the pressure off quarterback Brock Purdy.
“I think you’re going to see a lot more quick game,“ Kimes added. “Tackling becomes important, and to me, going against the Seahawks defense that we know loves to play with light bodies against heavy ones, if they can’t run the ball well. I think that’s a problem, because you don’t want Brock constantly in drop-back situations.”
49ers’ George Kittle Talks Seahawks Defense
This week, 49ers tight end George Kittle didn’t hold back about what has made the Seahawks’ defense such a challenge to dissect and score against, considering they have allowed only one opponent to score more than 20 points in their last five games.
“Fantastic defensive front,“ Kittle said of the Seahawks’ defense while speaking to reporters on December 31 (h/t Vic Tafur of The Athletic). “[DeMarcus] Lawrence is having a fantastic year. He’s a Pro Bowler this year. [Leonard] Williams is fantastic. I mean, their whole D-line is just violent.
“You can watch your tape, and you can really see every time that, whether it’s run or pass, you see opposite linemen on the ground just getting thrown around the entire time. Not every D-line is like that. And then, when you put in a very well-coached secondary right behind that, who doesn’t give up any big plays, but they’re very good at coming up on all the checkdowns.”
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