Christian McCaffrey delivered a stunning performance against his former club, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a hard-fought 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.
The star running back, playing against the team that traded him away three years ago, amassed 142 yards from scrimmage and scored a crucial touchdown that helped the Niners overcome a difficult first half.
Purdy's struggles and McCaffrey's response
Brock Purdy experienced his worst half of the season, becoming the first player to throw three interceptions in the first half this year. Two of those picks were claimed by Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Despite these turnovers, the Panthers could only convert them into three points, failing to capitalise on Purdy's uncharacteristic errors. The 49ers adopted a more conservative approach after halftime, relying heavily on McCaffrey's running game and short passes.
Key moments that decided the game
The 49ers established their intent early, giving the ball to McCaffrey on the first five plays of the game. This strategy paid immediate dividends as Purdy connected with Jauan Jennings on a 12-yard pass for the first opening-drive touchdown conceded by Carolina all season.
McCaffrey's defining moment came with his 12-yard touchdown run that extended the 49ers' lead to 17-3. The Niners later added a field goal from Matt Gay to secure their position.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who had thrown for a franchise-record 448 yards the previous week, managed just 169 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. His sole significant contribution was a 29-yard TD pass to Tetairoa McMillan, though Carolina failed to convert the subsequent two-point attempt.
The Panthers' hopes faded when Young threw his second interception of the game to Ji'Ayir Brown while in scoring position, effectively ending their comeback chances at 20-9 down.
What this means for both teams
This result leaves the 49ers with an 8-4 record, keeping them firmly in playoff contention as they approach the crucial final stretch of the season. McCaffrey's performance marked his tenth 100-yard game of the season, putting him just two shy of the franchise record he set last year.
For the Panthers, now 6-6, this represented a missed opportunity to claim sole possession of first place in the NFC South division. Their inability to convert Purdy's three first-half interceptions into significant points proved costly in a game where defensive opportunities were plentiful.
