49ers @ Panthers
Final Score: 49ers 37, Panthers 15
Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele_T2T on Twitter)
The San Francisco 49ers came into Carolina and claimed the Panthers’ home field as their own. What we saw this Sunday evening was a complete team performance by the 49ers. Starting with an offense that moved the ball up and down the field behind the strength of their run game, as Jeff Wilson churned his legs to the tune of 120 yards topped off with a touchdown. Even their passing game was effective for big plays on the game. To top it off, the defense was all over Baker Mayfield and the Panthers’ offense, causing the home crowd to rain down boos on Baker. The Panthers may have been able to keep it close most of the game, but the momentum stayed with the 49ers throughout this one. A late sack on Baker at the Panthers’ own four yard line on fourth down sealed the deal for an easy 49ers victory.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo: 18/30, 253 Yards, 2 TD | 1 Carry, -1 Yards
Completing just over half of his passing attempts on the day, Jimmy Garoppolo was able to deliver when he needed to, converting multiple 3rd downs when the team needed to continue drives. It helps when your playmakers do such a great job after the catch, and it started early when Garoppolo found Tevin Coleman open on a screen who made the catch out of the backfield at the 13-yard line and following his blockers, forcing his way in for the score just under the 12-minute mark in the 1st quarter.
Tevin Coleman is back with the 49ers and back in the end zone. 🙌 @Teco_Raww
📺: #SFvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/QyzRPxAYpO pic.twitter.com/PkGwcBdNGJ— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
Jimmy G threw his second touchdown of the game in the 3rd quarter when he found Deebo Samuel on a crossing route for a four-yard touchdown. This was after a rushing touchdown was called back on the quarterback for off-setting holding calls. Being careful with the ball most of the night, Garoppolo had one pass almost get intercepted as he was looking the way of Samuel. The defender made a break in front of Samuel and dropped what should have been an easy interception.
Running Back
Jeff Wilson Jr.:17 Carries, 120 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards | 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Tevin Coleman: 8 Carries, 23 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 44 Yards, TD
Kyle Juszczyk: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards
The ground game helped carry the 49ers to victory. With Jeff Wilson Jr. finding consistency all through the night, he led the team with 17 carries to the tune of a nice 120 yards. The offensive line was dominant in this one, and it started early, with Wilson hitting a hole big enough to drive a truck through for a big 41-yard gain early in the first.
Jeff Wilson Jr. cooking early 🍳pic.twitter.com/cDqQsGILt2
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 9, 2022
For the rest of the night, Wilson showed consistency and it seemed like every time he touched the ball he was ripping off 5-yard gains behind the big 49ers line. He logged only one reception in the second half, and he was tackled at the one-yard line. He finished off the drive a few plays later for the one-yard score, his only on the day. He did fumble the ball but had it bounce right back into his hands and was still able to make a play for the first down.
Tevin Coleman is back with the 49ers and at times looked vintage. Coleman finished the game with only 11 total touches, 8 carries, and 3 receptions but was able to find paydirt twice. His first came in the first quarter, catching a screen pass at the 13-yard line, with Coleman using his blockers as they did all night and was able to force his way into the endzone for the first score of the day, His second touchdown came with just over three minutes left to play. Coleman took a toss and headed straight for the corner of the endzone for his second score. Having the two scores, his best play of the night was when he was doing his best Randy Moss act, as Jimmy G threw a 50/50 jump ball, with Coleman going up high with both hands, and bringing the ball down over the defender. Staying in bounds, it was a beautiful 30-yard reception, Colemans’ longest play of the game.
Tevin Coleman looking like a WR out there 😮
📺: #SFvsCAR on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/QyzRPxAYpO pic.twitter.com/eh2Il05K8q— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brandon Aiyuk: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 58 Yards
George Kittle: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 47 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Jauan Jennings: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 45 Yards
Deebo Samuel: 2 Carries, 12 Yards | 9 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards, TD
Danny Gray: 2 Targets
The wideouts had a modest stat line for the 49ers but the team didn’t need a huge performance from their usual stars. Brandon Aiyuk continues to build chemistry with Garoppolo, as he led the team in receiving yards with 58. His first catch came in the second quarter on a nice 24-yard catch and run where he was able to bounce off two defenders fighting for additional yards. Aiyuk may have had the most yards, but he still finished third in the team on targets with only four.
George Kittle got involved in this game, being second on the team in targets, receptions, and yards. On the first drive, Kittle got most of his 47 yards on a 25-yard reception on the 49ers’ first drive on the game. He did have a fumble on the day. On the 49ers’ second drive, Jimmy G rolled out on a bootleg and found Kittle who made the catch but had the ball punched out and recovered by the Panthers’ defense.
Star wideout Deboo Samuel had a quiet night compared to last week. His first reception didn’t come until the third quarter when he took a slant route for 16 yards. He only logged one more reception after that. A four-yard touchdown pass midway through the third. He did have an uncharacteristic drop. Standing with no defenders around him, Jimmy G hit him right on the numbers but he couldn’t haul it in. He also added two rushes, one on an end around, and another lined up as the running back. He did lead the team in targets with nine on the day.
Jauan Jennings secured both of his targets. None more beautiful than a 33-yard catch and run. Taking a slant across the middle, Jennings bounced off a defender after making the catch and kept his balance and was able to turn and take it upfield for additional yards after the catch. He finished the play with a stiff arm to gain even more yardage before being forced out of bounce at the four-yard line.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 20/36, 215 Yards, INT
PJ Walker: 5/6, 60 Yards
There were a few people this offseason who had high hopes for Baker Mayfield leading the Carolina offense, and it has been a rough go ever since. He may have won the starting the job but he isn’t winning over the fans or the games. Mayfield looked lost at times. Be it from heavy pressure by the 49ers front, or just making terrible throws throughout the game. Throws too low, and throws too high, Mayfield was playing with fire and it eventually burned him. Before the close of the first half, Mayfield was trying to do something with the ball to try and score. He ended up throwing a touchdown but to the wrong team. Looking for McCaffery on a 2nd and 20, Mayfield threw the ball high, sailing over his intended target, and was picked off by the defense who returned the interception for a touchdown making the score 17-3 right before the half.
First career pick-six for the North Carolina kid! @Mannymoseley
📺 #SFvsCAR on CBS pic.twitter.com/bbVgjtllGX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 9, 2022
Mayfield was able to lead some drives down the field but never wasn’t able to put the ball in the endzone in this one. Mayfield was replaced by PJ Walker after the 49ers put the game out of hand. Walker finished with 5 completions for 60 yards.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: 14 Carries, 54 Yards, TD | 12 Targets, 7 Receptions, 50 Yards
D’Onta Foreman: 2 Carries, 2 Yards
Any real production from this offense came from Christian McCaffrey. He saw only 14 carries on the day and didn’t find much space to work with outside of his lone touchdown run. On a 4th and 1, the Panthers pitched the ball to McCaffrey who was able to follow his blocks past the first down marker. Cutting inside down the field, the back was able to finish the play by taking the ball across the goal line for the Panthers’ only touchdown in the game. As usual, he was targeted heavily in the passing game, leading the team in targets and coming in second on receptions. He wasn’t able to find much space after the catch as McCaffrey only finished with 7.1 yards per reception. D’Onta Foreman saw two carries early, one netting a positive gain, and the second he was blown up for a loss.
Christian McCaffrey 19 yd. TD dash 💨 #SFvsCARpic.twitter.com/0NjgPslwZT
— Nitrobetting.eu Sportsbook (@BtcNitrobetting) October 9, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Shi Smith: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 69 Yards
DJ Moore: 1 Carry, 8 Yards | 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 59 Yards
Robbie Anderson: 5 Targets, 1 Reception, 32 Yards
Terrace Marshall Jr.: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 30 Yards
Giovanni Ricci: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards
Ian Thomas: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards
Shi Smith was the leading receiver in the game with 69 yards catching four passes on five targets. Showing grit, Smith was trying his best to put the Panthers in the best position he could. Smith did most of his damage on a 31-yard pitch and catch in the 3rd. On a 2nd and 8, Mayfield looked deep for Smith who went up for the catch with the defender in coverage, holding on as he went to the ground. He even was able to hold on to a catch after taking a big hit immediately after the catch on a 3rd and 11 in the fourth quarter.
DJ Moore caught half of his eight targets. It’s been hard for Moore to find consistency of any kind with such terrible quarterback play from Mayfield, but Moore tried his best to make the most of his chances. In the 4th quarter, Moore caught a pass on 3rd and 10 for 12 yards, making a nice spin move to get past a cluster of 49ers defenders waiting, Moore was able to get outside and take the ball upfield for a 27-yard gain on the play. Showing frustrations last week after the game, Moore probably isn’t feeling much better after the team performance this week.
DJ Moore: "I'M WIDE OPEN!"
Baker Mayfield: pic.twitter.com/kua8Xgxx18
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) October 2, 2022
Robbie Anderson saw five targets but was only able to bring in one of the passes. After a sack on 1st down, Mayfield unloaded it deep to Anderson who had just enough of a step for Mayfield to drop it right into his hands as he made the catch downfield for a 32-yard game. Terrace Marshall Jr pulled in all four of his targets but was not able to mustard much with only 30 yards. Giovanni Ricci and Ian Thomas also hauled in all of their targets but they weren’t able to make a splash in the game.