Carolina Panthers (1-4) – San Francisco 49ers (3-2): 15-37
24 losses in a row when the opponent scores 17 points or more. This is the terrible statistic that accompanied the Carolina Panthers before this game, reflecting immense difficulties on the offensive side. Since San Francisco exceeded this mark at the end of the first half, the series logically goes up to 25. Still the fault of an attack which cannot unfold (11 drives for only 15 points), despite a rather satisfactory.
We take the same and start again
Californians don’t reinvent the wheel. Ground game with Jeff Wilson (17 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD) and veteran Tevin Coleman (8 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD), which concentrates the linebackers near the line of engagement, and therefore frees up spaces in the middle zones for San Francisco receivers. Jimmy Garropolo (18/30, 253 yards, 2 TD) does not need to force, and breaks down his passes with his many weapons: 7 different players have caught at least one pass.
Make way for El Jefe!
His career-long 41 yard run helps set up the 49ers TD 💨
📺 #SFvsCAR on CBS pic.twitter.com/rqqSNh3XOD
—San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 9, 2022
A too limited Panther attack
Problems on offense are nothing new to Carolina. Christian McCaffrey (14 runs, 54 yards, 1 TD, 7 receptions, 50 yards) is too lonely, Baker Mayfield (20/36, 215 yards, 1 INT) and DJ Moore (4 receptions on 8 passes to him, 59 yards) are not on the same page, game calls are not inspired. In short, everything is insufficient to manhandle a San Francisco defense at the top of its game at the start of the season. Even when it starts in a very favorable position, like on a fumble from George Kittle, the blue and black attack cannot reach the end zone (only 1 TD). Worse, Mayfield sends a nasty overdose pass to McCaffrey, and received for a pick 6. This is the second pick 6 of the San Francisco defense in two weeks. Ironically, it is Emmanuel Mosley who is the author, he who is from… North Carolina. At the end of the match, Mayfield will even give way to PJ Walker. Sign of an already soaring confidence?
First career pick-six for the North Carolina kid! @Mannymoseley
📺 #SFvsCAR on CBS pic.twitter.com/bbVgjtllGX
—San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 9, 2022
In the end, the big victory could not be more logical for San Francisco, superior to its opponent in all compartments. The visitors take the lead in the NFC West on their own, thanks to the losses of all their intra-division competitors. It will nevertheless be necessary to monitor the injuries of Jimmie Ward (FS), Robbie Gould (K), Emmanuel Mosley (CB) and especially Nick Bosa (DE), which could be penalizing for the rest of the season.
On the side of the Panthers, the site is immense. Impossible to imagine this team raising the bar under the orders of Matt Rhule. However, their workforce is not depopulated with good players. With 1 victory for already 4 defeats, the Panthers already seem destined to choose among the first in the next draft. The good news is that the quarterback class looks talented. With a Baker Mayfield already whistled at Bank of America Stadium, change seems inevitable in North Carolina.
