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Seahawks vs. 49ers: 5 Week 12 matchups to watch for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks the tackle of K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on November 27, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks the tackle of K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on November 27, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers stands behind his teammates on the sidelines during the national anthem before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers stands behind his teammates on the sidelines during the national anthem before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Right Tackle Trent Brown vs. Defensive End Michael Bennett

On the flip side of the pass-rush equation, 49ers right tackle Trent Brown will certainly have his hands full with Seattle’s top pass-rusher, defensive end Michael Bennett.

Bennett leads the Seahawks with 6.5 sacks this season, earning himself an 84.3 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus, which is highest among Seattle’s defensive line.

Brown is probably going to be outmatched in run support this contest, as Bennett has excelled against teams’ rushing attacks this season. But where the Niners right tackle must thrive is in pass protection.

Fortunately, that’s his strong suit.

Unlike his opposite number, Seahawks’ Germain Ifedi, Brown hasn’t been a liability in pass protection at all this season. He’s allowed just 14 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus, and his pass-blocking efficiency metric stands at 97.1 — fifth best among all qualifying offensive tackles.

With Seattle’s front seven still potent, and its pass rush a serious threat to San Francisco’s offense, Brown being on his game versus Bennett is pretty critical to ensuring the 49ers quarterback — whoever he is on Sunday — remains upright.