David Newton
Nick Wagoner
Nick Wagoner
ESPN Employees Author
Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has lined the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having beforehand lined the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, together with three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the corporate, Nick has led ESPN’s protection of the Niners’ 2019 and 2023 Tremendous Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the primary brazenly homosexual participant drafted to the NFL, Sam’s subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the group’s relocation and stadium saga.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Whereas the bruised and battered San Francisco 49ers have not received in aesthetically pleasing style usually this season, they nonetheless have discovered methods to win.
It occurred once more Monday evening, because the Niners overcame a litany of first-half errors to knock off the Carolina Panthers 20-9 in a recreation that figures to be pivotal within the NFC playoff chase.
With the win, the 49ers enhance to 8-4, together with 7-2 in opposition to NFC opponents. Carolina fell to 6-6 on the season and 4-3 in NFC video games.
In accordance with ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, the Niners bolstered their playoff hopes from 86% to 91.3% and put the Panthers’ probabilities in peril, as they dropped from 22.7% to 18%.
Even on an evening when quarterback Brock Purdy supplied loads of alternatives for the Panthers to determine a lead and maybe steal a victory, the Niners’ injury-ravaged protection repeatedly prevented Carolina from capitalizing.
Niners security Ji’Ayir Brown supplied the largest spark, developing with a pair of interceptions, together with one ultimately zone, and 5 tackles.
It is the primary time since Week 3 that the Niners have strung collectively a number of wins, as they head to Cleveland to face the Browns on Sunday with an opportunity to get a ninth victory.
Stat to know: 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey insisted final week that dealing with his former group for the primary time since being traded in 2022 would not be a lot completely different than most different video games.
Statistically talking, that proved true, as McCaffrey went over 100 scrimmage yards for the tenth time this season and had at the very least 50 speeding and 50 receiving yards for the eighth time. It is the 14th time he is hit the 50/50 mark since becoming a member of the Niners, tied with Frank Gore for the second most in franchise historical past. He wants three extra such video games to surpass the group file he established in 2023.
McCaffrey completed with 142 scrimmage yards on 31 touches.
What to make of the QB efficiency: For no matter cause, Purdy continued to wrestle on “Monday Evening Soccer”. In opposition to the Panthers, he threw three first-half interceptions, the second time he is achieved that in his profession, along with his different one additionally approaching MNF in opposition to Baltimore on Dec. 25, 2023. In 5 profession begins on Monday evening, he has thrown 11 interceptions.
Purdy rebounded a bit within the second half as coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up some simple throws on screens and brief passes. Purdy completed 23-of-32 for 193 yards with one landing to go along with the three picks. However it was nonetheless a regarding outing for Purdy after an encouraging return from his proper large toe damage final week in opposition to Arizona.
Most stunning efficiency: The protection. Whereas the offense spent a lot of the primary half flailing with turnovers and near-turnovers, the Niners’ protection repeatedly answered the bell, permitting three factors off these takeaways. All advised, the Panthers managed solely 230 complete yards and 5.3 yards per play, together with a season-low in yards (72) and first downs (three) within the first half.
For a unit lacking finish Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, a lot has been fabricated from the offense having to hold the freight, however San Francisco’s protection delivered when wanted Monday evening. — Nick Wagoner
Subsequent recreation: vs. Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Carolina had an opportunity to take the outright lead within the NFC South for the primary time this late within the season since 2017 with a victory, however quarterback Bryce Younger could not carry the offense per week after throwing for a franchise file 448 yards in an additional time win at Atlanta.
The loss left the Panthers a half-game behind Tampa Bay (6-5) within the division with their subsequent recreation in opposition to the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams (8-2). They shut with two of three video games in opposition to the struggling Bucs however have the new Seattle Seahawks (8-3) in between them.
Tampa Bay, in the meantime, enters the best a part of its schedule in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Falcons.
That the Panthers should depend upon Younger to hold them now that three groups in a row have shut down the operating recreation (69 yards on 13 carries) needs to be regarding. Additionally regarding is Carolina might should face the pass-happy Rams subsequent week with out Professional Bowl nook Jaycee Horn, who suffered a concussion late within the first half.
What to make of the QB efficiency: The primary half set the tone. Younger had a decrease passer ranking (25.0) than the 49ers’ Purdy (48.4) even via Purdy threw three interceptions. In consequence, the Panthers had their fewest yards (72) and first downs (three) in any half this season. Younger’s numbers have been barely higher within the second half, however his second interception with 6:27 remaining principally sealed Carolina’s destiny and left him 0-2 on MNF and 0-3 in prime-time video games.
Greatest gap within the recreation plan: Stopping former Panthers’ operating again McCaffrey. You’d assume defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero would have loaded the protection to cease the participant Carolina traded to the 49ers halfway via the 2022 season, however McCaffrey had 142 scrimmage yards, together with a 12-yard landing run within the third quarter. He is the one participant the Panthers did not need to let beat them.
Stat to know: The Panthers have been the primary group to path at halftime (10-3) regardless of having three defensive interceptions because the 2021 Browns (Week 12 at Ravens). Previous to Monday’s recreation, Cleveland was the one group to do that over the previous 10 years. — David Newton
Subsequent recreation: at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
