It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t have to be for the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
They just needed a win over the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium to maintain their place in the NFC playoff picture while keeping an upstart Carolina club at arm’s length. They got it in the form of an ugly 20-9 victory.
A trio of first-half turnovers by quarterback Brock Purdy kept Carolina in the game early, but the 49ers defense stepped up in a big way to hold the Panthers to only three points off of their three takeaways. San Francisco’s defense also contributed a pair of takeaways with safety Ji’Ayir Brown notching two interceptions off of Panthers QB Bryce Young.
It wasn’t pretty, but they’ll take the win to move to 8-4 and stay in the top seven of the NFC going into Week 13.
Niners Wire brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check it out.
How to watch 49ers vs. Panthers
49ers vs. Panthers final score: SF 20, CAR 9
San Francisco got the first down they needed after the missed field goal to seal an ugly win.
Panthers fail to score on missed 57-yard FG, 49ers still lead by 11
Carolina tried a 57-yard field goal with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter and missed badly. The intent was to cut the 49ers’ 20-9 lead to 20-12 where the Panthers had time to tie. Alas, the 49ers took over at their own 47 with 2:41 to play. They should be able to put the game away from here.
49ers highlights: Ji’Ayir Brown’s 2nd interception should about do it
What a night for the 49ers’ defense. Carolina was driving with the ball at the 49ers’ 33 looking to cut into San Francisco’s 20-9 lead. Bryce Young fired one over the middle where Brown stepped in front of WR Tetairoa McMillan for his second takeaway of the night and his second of the season. With 6:27 left, any sustained drive and/or points should seal the victory for San Francisco.
49ers score: Matt Gay connects on another FG
Gay’s debut with the 49ers has been strong. He’s two-for-two on extra points and his 29-yard field goal made him two-for-two on field goals and gave San Francisco a 20-9 lead over Carolina with 9:21 to go in the fourth quarter. The 49ers’ defense may only need one more stop to put this one away.
49ers score: SF leads Panthers 17-9 after third quarter
Somehow this is an eight-point game where both teams probably feel like they should be winning by a lot.
Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan grabs long TD vs. 49ers
Whew. Carolina’s offense figured something out and responded to the 49ers’ touchdown with one of their own. Bryce Young threw a dime to McMillan for a 29-yard strike that put Carolina back in Monday’s game at 17-9. Carolina went for two points after an unnecessary roughness penalty on the extra point try. Young’s pass was tipped by Alfred Collins and sailed over everyone in the end zone and fell incomplete to keep San Francisco’s lead at eight points.
Christian McCaffrey gets another 49ers TD vs. Panthers
On a long night for the 49ers offense, they leaned on their superstar running back when they needed a score. On a second-and-3 from the 12, McCaffrey took a toss off the left side and cruised in for a touchdown through some excellent blocking from Jake Brendel, George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk and Jauan Jennings. It’s 17-3, 49ers with 4:42 to go in the third quarter.
49ers vs. Panthers score: SF leads 10-3 at halftime
It was a commendable first 30 minutes for the 49ers’ defense, which had to overcome three Brock Purdy interceptions. They managed to hold Carolina to only three points to save San Francisco from being routed at home in the first half. If Purdy isn’t better in the third and fourth quarters the 49ers will not win.
49ers K Matt Gay hits first FG to rebuild 49ers’ lead
San Francisco tried out five kickers before adding Gay to their practice squad. He was elevated for Monday’s game and connected on his first field goal − a 47-yard try late in the first half to push the 49ers’ lead to 10-3. It’s worth noting on the scoring drive that Purdy threw two more balls that could have been intercepted. His dreadful evening continued despite the points.
Panthers score FG after Brock Purdy’s third INT
The 49ers defense bailed out their quarterback again late in the second quarter with a stop inside the 10 to limit Carolina to a field goal to keep San Francisco in front 7-3.
Brock Purdy intercepted again as wheels fall off 49ers offense
Just dreadful, dreadful play from the 49ers’ quarterback. It’s inexplicable how awful Purdy has been, and it’s worth wondering whether San Francisco makes a mid-game change to Mac Jones. This is too big of a game for the 49ers to let Purdy melt down like this.
49ers defense bails out Brock Purdy again
San Francisco held the Panthers to a three-and-out after Purdy’s second interception. They got Carolina into a third-and-short and QB Bryce Young found rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan wide open for a would-be first down, but McMillan couldn’t hold onto the throw. The 49ers offense cannot afford to continue giving the ball away when their defense is this banged up.
Panthers defense intercepts Brock Purdy again
Purdy is having a nightmare first half as he continues trying for a home run ball instead of taking easier throws. His latest turnover came on a third-and-six where instead of scrambling, he aired one out for Ricky Pearsall who was blanketed by Panthers CB Mike Jackson who came down with the throw. That’s twice he’s put the ball in harm’s way and twice a Panthers cornerback has come down with it. Brutal, brutal stuff from the 49ers’ franchise QB.
49ers vs. Panthers score: SF leads 7-0 after first quarter
It wasn’t a perfect quarter for San Francisco, but they exit the first 15 minutes with a lead and the ball after they traded interceptions with Carolina. The 49ers look like the better team, but turnovers are a quick way for them to let an upstart Panthers club stick around. If they can keep the game script in their favor they should be able to pull away.
49ers highlights: Ji’Ayir Brown snags first INT in end zone
Complementary football! After Brock Purdy’s interception, the Panthers made their way to the 49ers’ 1 with a first-and-goal. They tried a play-action rollout and Bryce Young floated his throw into a crowd where Brown came down with a juggling interception. His first INT of the season saved points and put San Francisco back in the driver’s seat.
Panthers defense gets highlight, Jaycee Horn intercepts Brock Purdy
The way Carolina was going to stick around Monday night was turnovers, and they got one on the 49ers’ second drive. Purdy tried to layer a throw over the middle to Jauan Jennings, and Horn just undercut the route. Purdy didn’t put enough juice on the throw, and he left it behind his receiver since a safety was coming over the top. The Panthers will start their drive in the red zone.
49ers keep Panthers out of the end zone on first drive
There might be a tough night brewing for the Panthers offense. They got four yards on a first-down run, but then a holding call on a second-down pass put them in a second-and-16. QB Bryce Young threw a short pass on second-and-long, and then Carolina ran a draw on third-and-13. The carry went for 10 yards near midfield, but they elected to punt. It looks like San Francisco’s pass rush is content to let Young play from a muddy pocket where he isn’t as effective.
49ers score first on Jauan Jennings highlight TD
Carolina hadn’t given up an opening drive touchdown all season leading into Monday night. The 49ers changed that with a monster 15, 72-play drive that ate up 8:43 in the first quarter. They capped the Christian McCaffrey-heavy drive with a touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy to wide receiver Jauan Jennings who looked to be stopped inside the 5, but he broke multiple tackles and waltzed into the end zone for an early San Francisco lead. Kicker Matt Gay drilled the extra point and put the 49ers ahead 7-0 early.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey busy early
San Francisco had a pair of designed runs and three throws on their first five plays, and all five touches went to their star running back. Their sixth play was a third-down completion to wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for a first down.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers vs. Panthers highlights: San Francisco wins crucial NFC matchup
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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