49ers outlast Panthers on MNF

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn had two of Purdy’s three first half interceptions but Bryce Young and Carolina’s offense could only muster a field goal in the first half. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was coming off a career high 448 passing yards and three touchdown game but seemed to come back to Earth in Levi Stadium Monday night. Young finished 18-for-29 for 169 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, in a game where the Panthers leaned on Young’s arm more than the running game that has kept them in games all season. Lead running back Rico Dowdle only had six carries for 38 yards while averaging 6.3 yards per carry, which makes it even more puzzling that the Panthers abandoned the run so quickly. Even with Nick Bosa out for the season, the 49ers managed to make Young uncomfortable in the pocket even with only one sack all night.

The Panthers only amassed 230 total yards of offense and 22:18 of possession time even though they recorded three turnovers in the first half. While Young seemed to have gained confidence in his ability to throw the ball against the Cardinals, it seems the 49ers dimmed the confidence of the third year signal caller. The Panthers went 1-for-7 on third downs, but managed to show some offensive prowess with rookie wide out Tetairoa McMillan finding the endzone on a 29-yard strike from Young late in the third quarter.

While both teams had some hurdles to get over in the first half, the 49ers eventually found a rhythm offensively thanks to star running back Christian McCaffery. CMC finished with 142 scrimmage yards last night off of 31 total touches, 89 rushing yards and a rushing TD as well as seven receptions for 53 receiving yards. The Colorado native continues to be the engine to the Niners offense, generating over 40% of San Francisco’s yards.

The Panthers now move to 6-6, 3-4 on the road and will face a LA Rams team at home next week that is looking like they are the best team in the NFL. Bryce Young will need a repeat performance against the Cardinals if the Panthers are going to have any chance of beating the best team in the NFC and the MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford.

The 49ers now move to 8-4 and currently sit in third place in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks (8-3) and the Rams (9-2). The Niners will need to continue to win games in order to grab a wildcard playoff berth given how good their division has been this season. San Francisco heads to Cleveland next week for a date with Myles Garrett and Shedeur Sanders who was confirmed as the Browns starter moving forward. Purdy will have his hands full with the Browns pass rush, and if he has another first half like he did on Monday night, it could be a long Sunday for Purdy and the Niners as a whole.