McCaffrey Shines Against Former Panthers
Christian McCaffrey faced off against the Carolina Panthers for the first time since his trade to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. The All-Pro running back was a standout performer in the 49ers’ 20-9 victory on “Monday Night Football,” leading both teams in total yards.
With this win, the 49ers improved to an 8-4 record, solidifying their position in the NFC playoff race. Meanwhile, the Panthers fell to 6-6, missing an opportunity to take control of the NFC South.
It was a mixed night for both quarterbacks. Brock Purdy, who had a strong performance with three touchdowns last week, struggled considerably, tossing three interceptions in the first half alone.
San Francisco started strong with a 75-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown pass from Purdy to Jauan Jennings. However, after the Panthers quickly went three-and-out, Purdy’s next pass was intercepted by Jaycee Horn, setting Carolina up with excellent field position at the San Francisco 16-yard line.
Young, the Panthers’ quarterback, also faced challenges. On a crucial first-and-goal opportunity, rather than run for it, he chose to pass, only to have his attempt intercepted in the end zone by Ziair Brown.
As the game progressed, Purdy’s troubles continued with another interception by Mike Jackson while targeting Ricky Pearsall. A missed opportunity in the end for the 49ers came when tight end George Kittle appeared open, but Purdy decided instead to aim for a wider play.
Despite trailing 17-3, the Panthers rallied briefly when rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught a 29-yard pass from Young late in the third quarter, narrowing the margin to 17-9 after a failed two-point conversion.
The 49ers added a field goal to extend their lead, but the Panthers kept pressing. They had a chance to narrow the gap further, but Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal attempt in the final minutes, sealing their fate.
McCaffrey, now back in his old stomping grounds, contributed significantly with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards. He achieved a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, highlighted by solid blocks from Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk.
For San Francisco, Kittle led the receiving effort with six catches for 78 yards, while Jennings followed closely with five grabs for 41 yards. The Panthers’ ground game struggled, combining for only 69 rushing yards, though Doodle and Hubbard made contributions in the passing game.
