The San Francisco 49ers’ huge slate of four games began in Week 11 with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals. It continues Monday night vs. the Carolina Panthers in San Francisco’s return to Levi’s Stadium.
If the 49ers win they plant themselves firmly in the postseason picture where a couple more wins should get them into the tournament in January. A win also pushes the Panthers further out of the picture since they’re only one game behind the 49ers entering Monday’s game. San Francisco would take a two-game lead on Carolina while also holding the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker.
Conversely, a loss would be extremely damaging. It would be an NFC loss that drops the 49ers out of the top seven and puts them in a tie with Carolina where the Panthers hold the tiebreaker. Winning NFC games is helpful for tiebreakers and the 49ers hold a strong 7-2 record inside the conference.
Niners Wire is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.
How to watch 49ers vs. Panthers
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: Live updates for massive game in NFC playoff race
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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