Christian McCaffrey dominated his former Carolina Panthers team, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a commanding 20-9 victory on Monday Night Football. The game saw McCaffrey outperforming both teams, with the 49ers improving to 8-4 and securing a strong position in the NFC playoff race. Despite the rough night for the quarterbacks, the 49ers managed to hold on for the win, securing their spot in the playoff race.
McCaffrey, who was traded to the 49ers in 2022, showcased his talents by leading both teams in total yards from scrimmage and scoring a touchdown. The game, however, was marked by poor quarterback play from both sides, with San Francisco’s Brock Purdy and Carolina’s Bryce Young both struggling with turnovers.
Purdy, who had previously thrown three touchdowns in his return, tossed three interceptions in the first half, while Young also faced challenges, including an interception in the end zone that helped San Francisco maintain its lead. Despite the rough night for the quarterbacks, the 49ers managed to hold on for the win, securing their spot in the playoff race.
The 49ers’ victory was further highlighted by McCaffrey’s performance, which included 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards. The game saw the Panthers make a late push, but an interception by Ryan Fitzgerald sealed the 49ers’ win, reinforcing their strong position in the NFC playoffs.
While McCaffrey shined on the primetime stage, it was a rough night for both quarterbacks. Brock Purdy, who had thrown three touchdowns in his return the previous week, struggled with turnovers, tossing three interceptions on consecutive possessions in the first half. San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Purdy’s short pass to Jauan Jennings, who fought through three Panthers defenders to score. But after a quick Panthers three-and-out, Purdy’s first pass on the next series was picked off by Jaycee Horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-yard line.
Bryce Young also faced issues, with an interception in the end zone that helped San Francisco maintain its lead. Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was picked off by Mike Jackson in the opposite end zone when he tried to find Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown. The route was read perfectly by the veteran cornerback. Upon replay, tight end George Kittle appeared wide open and might have scored with a short pass, but Purdy was looking for the big play on the throw.
Then Purdy was really kicking himself after Horn secured his second interception of the game — a savvy play as he roamed free in the middle of the field and Purdy simply didn’t see him on a pass intended for Pearsall. The Panthers finally got points on the board after a field goal cut the deficit to 7-3. It was only 10-3 at halftime, but the 49ers finally got McCaffrey into the end zone in the third quarter against his former team. His 12-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive by San Francisco, where the star back got key blocks from Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk to reach the end zone.
McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards. The Panthers weren’t completely out of the game despite the 17-3 deficit, thanks to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauling in a 29-yard strike from Young with 49 seconds left in the third quarter to make it a 17-9 game after a failed two-point conversion. The 49ers created some separation after adding another field goal, but the Panthers still had plenty of time in the fourth quarter to make things interesting. Unfortunately for them, Brown jumped a route across the middle intended for McMillan, and Young threw it right to him.
The interception virtually iced the game, as Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during the Panthers’ desperate attempt to get points. Looking at the box score, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six catches, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five grabs. For the Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard, and Young combined for just 69 rushing yards, though Dowdle had four catches for 36 yards. Hubbard added four catches for 27 yards.