The San Francisco 49ers are 8-4 and heading into their week 13 matchup against the Cleveland Browns for their last game before their bye week.
It’s a huge matchup for both teams, for vastly different reasons. The 49ers are trying to stay alive in a tight playoff race, while the Browns are hoping Shedeur Sanders can showcase potential to be the team’s starter going forward.
But the most important player in this matchup is offensive tackle Trent Williams. The veteran lineman will have a profound impact on this game, for better or for worse. And as Seth Walder of ESPN noted, it’s for one big Myles Garrett reason.
49ers’ Trent Williams is most important player in Week 13 matchup vs. Browns
“Will 49ers left tackle Trent Williams be able to stop Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett?” Walder questioned.
This matchup is, by far, the most interesting and important of the week for both teams. While Garrett won’t solely be lined up opposite Williams, he will likely have him plenty of times during this matchup.
“We are getting a Hall of Fame matchup in the trenches Sunday.” Walder writes. “Who has the edge? At each of their peaks, it might have been tough to say. But right now, Garrett is the clear answer.”
Cleveland has the distinct advantage over San Francisco in this matchup. Williams is 20th in pass rush win rate among offensive tackles, a significant drop from when he was first in 2024.
More: 49ers’ Mac Jones expected to draw trade interest, according to NFL insider
Garrett, who’s the clear favorite to be the Defensive Player of the Year, has had 13 sacks in his last four weeks of play. The 49ers, in comparison, through 12 weeks, have had 13 sacks all season.
Combined with the expected poor weather on Sunday, Garrett’s matchup against Williams will be the most important of the game, and potentially, the entire slate of games in Week 13.
Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brock Purdy, and many others will play a role in Week 13. But Williams is by far the most important player this week, as his matchup against Garrett, who’s on fire the last four weeks, is brutal.
More 49ers News:
