5 X-factors that determine if 49ers beat Rams to make Super Bowl
By Peter Panacy
![D.J. Jones #93 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) D.J. Jones #93 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ba33fe7193a1b48f0089a7a44cf740e342cbca73a8e15202e5e05f05eae9718c.jpg)
X-Factor No. 4: 49ers need Trent Williams on the field
Right tackle Trent Williams suffered an ankle injury during the 49ers’ win over the Packers and was seen walking on crutches after the game.
Fortunately, X-rays revealed it wasn’t a fracture, and the Niners brass is hopeful the perennial Pro Bowler and No. 1 tackle in the NFL right now will at least be capable enough to play against LA this Sunday.
He better be.
Los Angeles boasts one of the more formidable outside pass-rushing units in the league, led by EDGE Leonard Floyd and supplemented by the midseason acquisition of fellow EDGE Von Miller. In tandem with regular first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the Rams amassed a whopping 50 sacks on the year.
Williams has missed practice this week. But even at 50 percent, he’d be a clear-cut upgrade over any of San Francisco’s backup tackles, players such as Colton McKivitz or Jaylon Moore.
If Williams is healthy enough to take the field and stay there, it’d be a massive boost to the 49ers’ pass-protecting hopes.