A defensive struggle and a historic performance from a former Panther defined the San Francisco 49ers’ 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers in a pivotal Week 12 Monday Night Football matchup. While the final score shows a controlled win for San Francisco, the complete player stats reveal a game of critical turnovers, defensive stands, and one workhorse effort that tipped the scales.
Final Score & Team Stat Comparison
The 49ers’ efficiency, particularly on third down and in time of possession, was the foundation of their win.
Offensive Player Statistics & Highlights
Carolina Panthers Key Performers
The Panthers’ offense never found a consistent rhythm, managing only 230 total yards and struggling mightily on third down.
- QB Bryce Young: 18/29, 169 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 60.8 QBR. Young’s performance was marred by two critical interceptions, including one in the end zone on a first-and-goal situation.
- RB Rico Dowdle: Led the team with 74 scrimmage yards (38 rushing, 36 receiving). His opportunities were limited by the Panthers’ lack of possession.
- WR Tetairoa McMillan: Caught 2 passes for 35 yards and the Panthers’ sole touchdown, a 29-yard reception.
- Offensive Line: The unit allowed only one sack but paved the way for just 69 total rushing yards.
San Francisco 49ers Key Performers
The 49ers’ offense was methodical, leaning heavily on their star runner and controlling the clock for over 37 minutes.
- RB Christian McCaffrey: The former Panther was the engine of the 49ers’ attack, totaling 142 scrimmage yards (89 rushing, 53 receiving) with a rushing TD. This marked his NFL-leading 10th game with 100+ scrimmage yards in the 2025 season.
- QB Brock Purdy: 23/32, 193 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT. Purdy overcame a shaky first half with three interceptions to manage the game effectively in the second half.
- TE George Kittle: Was Purdy’s top receiver, hauling in 6 catches for 78 yards.
- WR Jauan Jennings: Caught 5 passes for 41 yards and a 12-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive.
Defensive & Special Teams Standouts
Panthers Defense: Opportunistic but Overwhelmed
The Panthers’ defense created early opportunities but wore down due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives.
- CB Jaycee Horn: Was the star of the first half, intercepting Brock Purdy twice before exiting with a concussion. He now leads the Panthers with 5 interceptions on the season.
- LB Krys Barnes: In his first start for Carolina, Barnes recorded a game-high 10 tackles.
- CB Mike Jackson: Added a third first-half interception of Purdy.
- Team Defense: Forced three total turnovers but allowed the 49ers to convert over 50% of their third downs.
49ers Defense: Dominant on Critical Downs
San Francisco’s defense consistently shut down the Panthers’ offense in key moments.
- S Ji’Ayir Brown: Answered Jaycee Horn’s performance with two interceptions of his own against Bryce Young, along with 5 tackles.
- The Unit: Held Carolina to a 14.3% third-down conversion rate (1 of 7), their best performance in that category since 2022. The defense also tallied 3 total tackles for loss.
Key Special Teams Stats
- 49ers K Matt Gay: Was perfect in his debut with the team, hitting field goals from 47 and 29 yards and both extra points.
- Panthers K Ryan Fitzgerald: Made 1 of 2 field goal attempts, connecting from 25 yards.
What the Stats Tell Us: Game Analysis
- The McCaffrey Factor: The 49ers’ game plan was clear—feed Christian McCaffrey. His 31 touches and relentless production kept the chains moving and exhausted the Panthers’ defense, directly contributing to the massive time-of-possession disparity.
- Turnovers Tell Two Tales: Both quarterbacks threw multiple interceptions. The key difference was that the 49ers’ defense, after generating turnovers, allowed only 3 total points off of them, while the Panthers managed just 6 points off the 49ers’ three giveaways. Carolina’s failed red zone trip after an early interception was a pivotal moment.
- Battle for Field Position & Control: The 49ers’ dominance on third down (7/13 vs. 1/7) allowed them to sustain long drives, like the 15-play, 72-yard touchdown march to open the game. This control kept the Panthers’ offense cold and their defense on the field.
The statistical story of this game is one of efficiency overcoming volatility. Despite Purdy’s three interceptions, the 49ers’ steadfast commitment to the run and clutch defensive stops on third down led to a decisive victory. For the Panthers, the stats highlight an offense that couldn’t capitalize on a stellar early defensive effort, a missed opportunity that damaged their playoff positioning in the NFC South.