CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Christian McCaffrey didn’t need a microphone or a dramatic celebration to make his point. Three years after Carolina traded him away, the star running back delivered a performance that stung his former team, piling up 142 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to lift the San Francisco 49ers past the Panthers, 20–9, on Monday night.
McCaffrey’s steady dominance helped San Francisco (8–4) survive a sloppy start from quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw three interceptions in the first half. Instead of unraveling, the 49ers shifted into a ball-control approach led by their Pro Bowl back — and it worked.
The Niners rarely pushed the ball downfield after halftime, instead relying on McCaffrey’s legs and quick, safe throws. He sealed the win in classic fashion, slicing through Carolina’s front on a 12-yard scoring run to put San Francisco ahead 17–3. Matt Gay later added a field goal to stretch the cushion.
Carolina (6–6) had chances to make it a game but struggled to capitalize. A week after shredding Atlanta for a franchise-record 448 yards, Bryce Young managed just 169 passing yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His lone big strike came on a 29-yard pass to rookie Tetairoa McMillan, but the Panthers failed on the two-point try that could have cut the deficit to one score. Young was later intercepted in the red zone by Ji’Ayir Brown, ending Carolina’s last real threat.
San Francisco set the tone early, handing the ball to McCaffrey on the first five plays of the night. That opening drive ended with Purdy finding Jauan Jennings on a 12-yard score — the first time this season the Panthers allowed an opening-drive touchdown.
Defensively, Carolina did its job in spurts. Jaycee Horn intercepted Purdy twice and the Panthers picked him off three times before halftime, but those turnovers turned into only three points. Young answered one mistake with an even bigger one, throwing an interception on first-and-goal from the one-yard line, killing a golden scoring chance.
McCaffrey, meanwhile, looked as dependable as ever. The former Panthers first-round pick finished with 89 rushing yards and 53 receiving, marking his 10th 100-yard game of the season — just two shy of the franchise record he set last year.
The 49ers, who traded for McCaffrey in October 2022, continue to reap the benefits. He has transformed their playbook, their identity and, once again, their playoff push.