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Christian McCaffrey faced his former Carolina Panthers team for the first time since his trade to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
The All-Pro running back led San Francisco to a 20-9 victory on “Monday Night Football,” finding the end zone and leading both teams in total yards from scrimmage.
The 49ers (8-4) are now firmly in the NFC playoff picture, while the Panthers (6-6) missed the chance to take sole possession of the NFC South lead.
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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Claudin Cherelus, #53, of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
While McCaffrey shined in primetime, it was a tough night for both quarterbacks.
Brock Purdy, who threw three touchdowns in his return the week before, struggled with turnovers, throwing three interceptions on consecutive possessions in the first half.
San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a short pass from Purdy to Jauan Jennings, who battled three Panthers defenders to score. But after a quick three-pointer by the Panthers, Purdy’s first pass on the next series was intercepted by Jaycee Horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-yard line.
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But tonight wasn’t just about Purdy’s turnovers: Young had some issues, too.
On first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Young appeared to have room to run toward the pylon, but instead attempted a pass to tight end Mitchell Evans. Ji’Ayir Brown was there to catch the interception in the end zone and rescue Purdy for his earlier mistake.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was intercepted by Mike Jackson in the opposite end zone while trying to find Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown. The route was read perfectly by the veteran cornerback. On replay, tight end George Kittle looked wide open and could have scored on a short pass, but Purdy was looking for the big play on the throw.
Then Purdy really kicked himself after Horn got his second interception of the game – a smart play as he roamed freely down the middle of the field and Purdy just didn’t see him on a pass intended for Pearsall. The Panthers finally got points on the board after a field goal cut the deficit to 7-3.
Jauan Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
It was only 10-3 at halftime, but the 49ers finally got McCaffrey into the end zone in the third quarter against his former team. His 12-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive by San Francisco, where the star got key blocks from Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk to reach the end zone.
McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven receptions for 53 yards.
The Panthers weren’t completely out of the game despite the 17-3 deficit, thanks to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan catching a 29-yard throw from Young with 49 seconds left in the third quarter to make it a 17-9 game after a failed two-point conversion.
The 49ers created some separation after adding another field goal, but the Panthers still had plenty of time in the fourth quarter to make things interesting. Unfortunately for them, Brown jumped a route up the middle intended for McMillan, and Young threw it right to him.
The interception virtually iced the game, as Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during the Panthers’ desperate attempt to score points.
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Scoring-wise, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six receptions, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five receptions.
For the Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard and Young combined for just 69 rushing yards, although Dowdle had four receptions for 36 yards. Hubbard added four receptions for 27 yards.
