The San Francisco 49ers are moving on in the playoffs after grinding out a 23-19 road win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round - and a big reason why was the return of their anchor on the offensive line: Trent Williams.
After missing Week 18 with a hamstring strain, Williams was back in the lineup, and his impact was immediate. In the regular season finale without him, San Francisco’s offense looked stuck in neutral, managing just 173 total yards and three points in a loss to Seattle. But with the All-Pro left tackle back on the field, the Niners looked like themselves again - racking up 361 yards and putting 23 points on the board against a tough Eagles defense.
Williams didn’t just stabilize the line - he helped set the tone. And while his presence was a huge boost, it was one particular play late in the game that had Eagles fans seeing red.
With the 49ers trailing 19-17 midway through the fourth quarter, the offense put together a methodical 10-play, 66-yard drive that chewed up over five minutes of clock. It all came down to 3rd & Goal. Brock Purdy took the snap, scanned the field, and found Christian McCaffrey on a shallow crosser in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.
But not everyone was thrilled with how that play unfolded.
From the Philly sideline to the upper deck, fans pointed to what they believed was a missed holding call on Williams, who was matched up with rookie edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. Smith got the jump off the edge and looked like he had a shot at Purdy, but Williams held his ground - and maybe a bit more. The veteran left tackle gave his quarterback just enough time to step up and deliver the strike to McCaffrey.
After the game, Williams was asked about the no-call. His response?
Classic offensive line pragmatism. “I didn’t see a flag,” he said.
“You can’t get a speeding ticket if you don’t get pulled over.”
It was a savvy answer from a 15-year vet who knows the game inside and out. And in the postseason, those inches - and those moments - can be the difference between packing up or playing on.
Now, the 49ers turn their attention to a familiar foe: the Seattle Seahawks. It’ll be the third meeting between these NFC West rivals this season, and if the first two matchups taught us anything, it’s that this one’s going to be physical.
San Francisco knows how much they missed Williams in that Week 18 loss. He’s not just a blindside protector - he’s a tone-setter in both the run game and pass protection. With him in the lineup, the offense has a different rhythm, a different confidence.
But the Niners aren’t heading into the Divisional Round at full strength. The latest blow?
Star tight end George Kittle, who tore his Achilles in the win over Philadelphia. It’s a brutal loss for an offense that leans heavily on Kittle’s versatility as both a pass-catcher and elite blocker.
There’s at least one glimmer of hope on the injury front: linebacker Fred Warner, who suffered a gruesome ankle injury back in Week 6, returned to practice this week. It’s a long shot he’ll be ready in time for Saturday, but the team has officially opened his 21-day window to return - a remarkable development considering the severity of his injury.
So here we are: Niners vs. Seahawks, Round Three.
PURDY TO CMC
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49ERS TAKE THE LEAD
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San Francisco is banged up, but they’ve got their cornerstone left tackle back, and they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder. If they’re going to keep this playoff run alive, it’ll take more of the same grit they showed in Philly - and maybe a little more magic from Trent Williams and company up front.