The Monday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers in Week 12 will be one of the most critical games in the NFC playoff race as the season enters its final stretch.
With that in mind, we put together a collaborative analysis between beat writers from both teams to break down how each side enters this primetime showdown.
I teamed up with Ricky Raines, the beat writer for the Panthers at PFSN, to conduct a Q&A. Our aim is to give both teams’ fan bases an insider’s perspective on what to look for in this important game. Below is Ricky’s analysis of the Panthers.
How Are These Teams Different Than What Many May Assume About Them?
Ricky: I think people assume this Carolina Panthers team is an ‘easy’ mark. In Carolina’s five losses this season, the average margin of defeat is 18.2 points. I understand how watching box scores could lead to that belief. But head coach Dave Canales has built a legitimate culture in Carolina. This team’s core identity is physical football, led by violent play from offensive and defensive lines, especially Derrick Brown and Damien Lewis.
They have added rookies Tetairoa McMillan and Nic Scourton as possible cornerstone players on both sides. Aside from the uber-experienced long snapper and back-up quarterback, it’s a young team that has struggled with inconsistency. But man, this Panthers squad is undeniably challenging.
Is There an Area in This Matchup That Stands Out to You as a Potential Key to the Game?
Ricky: Let’s be honest… Neither team does a stellar job of pressuring the quarterback. The Panthers and 49ers are 25th and 28th, respectively, in passing EPA per play allowed. However, both clubs play disciplined football and fit the run well. This could turn the primetime game into a shootout. For the Panthers, Bryce Young is coming off an NFC Player of the Week performance. He threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta in Week 11.
Key passing game factors included a broad target distribution, with nine players making catches, and Tetairoa McMillan’s practical usage from the slot. Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik designed a game plan focused on creating space and enabling Young to make clean reads.
Carolina will continue leveraging the ground game with Rico Dowdle, whose 84.1 PFSN RBi metric ranks seventh among running backs, and Chuba Hubbard. However, they should keep building on last week’s passing success.
What Is Your Biggest Concern Heading Into Week 12?
Ricky: Kyle Shanahan’s offense is always difficult to defend. That task gets even harder if linebackers Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and Christian Rozeboom (hamstring) can’t play. That is starting to sound likely. The horizontal stress, along with San Francisco’s pre-snap eye candy, demands discipline from the Panthers’ second and third-level defenders.
READ MORE:Â Week 12 NFL Power Rankings: Broncos, Bills, Rams Victorious in Key Matchups
From a granular view, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey pose significant challenges for the Panthers’ defense. Carolina has struggled against tight ends this season. McCaffrey’s elite receiving ability from the backfield or the slot adds another layer of difficulty. With Brock Purdy at quarterback, I expect San Francisco to utilize more play-action passes, capitalizing on their offensive sequencing.
On a Scale of 1 to 10, What’s Your Confidence Level for Monday Night? And Lastly… Playoffs?
Ricky: The Carolina Panthers haven’t won a Monday Night Football game since 2017. To be fair, they have only played in two since that win. Still, I believe this Panthers team has demonstrated its ability to learn from mistakes. They were caught flat-footed in a letdown game against the Saints in Week 10. But I expect them to come prepared this time. I’ll give it a 7.5 out of 10.
As for the postseason, PFSN’s Playoff Meter (FPM) gives Carolina a 37.9% chance to reach the playoffs entering Week 12. Their most attainable path appears to be securing the NFC South title, with three of their last four games against division opponents, including two against the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carolina currently trails Tampa Bay by half a game. If the Panthers’ defense continues to bend without breaking, and Bryce Young and the offense hit another late-season stride, they’ll remain in playoff contention.
