Without many opportunities for what would be considered an important game in recent seasons, this is about as important as it gets for the Carolina Panthers.
The San Francisco 49ers are more accustomed to these missions.
Monday night’s game between the teams in Santa Clara, Calif., could have implications for the NFC’s eventual pecking order.
It’s a rare prime-time matchup for the Panthers (6-5), which is why coach Dave Canales considers it an important next step in the team’s growth.
“So easy to sell to the team,” Canales said. “You don’t need to motivate guys for these kinds of games. … You try to preach that every game is a championship opportunity so you don’t all of a sudden have to get up for Monday Night Football.”
Depending on Sunday’s results in league play, the Panthers could play for a chance to take first place in the NFC South. However, it is extremely important for the 49ers (7-4) as they try to climb into the competitive NFC West.
San Francisco hasn’t won consecutive games since a three-game winning streak to open the season in September.
“You show how important this game is,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Especially against a team that’s in the playoff race. I think we understand how important it is to get back-to-back wins.”
The 49ers recorded a record point total last week in a 41-22 win over Arizona.
Among the subplots is former Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey, who was traded to San Francisco in 2022.
McCaffrey has totaled a team-high 707 yards with six touchdowns, while he also leads the 49ers with 74 catches and 732 receiving yards.
“He’s even better than you thought,” Shanahan said, recalling the trade with the Panthers.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young set a franchise record with 448 passing yards last week in Atlanta. He was rewarded by being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Because of this, Carolina became the first team this season to have five players receive a weekly league honor.
“All you have to do is look at last week to see what he’s capable of,” Shanahan said of Young.
Young, who was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, ruled out any notable lingering impact from his limp due to a sore ankle after last Sunday’s game.
“Everyone is battling something at this point in the year,” Young said.
Young said the Panthers, who are 3-3 in away games, understand the extra attention being paid to them, but it shouldn’t make any difference.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy returned to action last week after a six-week layoff with a toe injury. An extra day to recover could therefore be beneficial before the visit to Carolina.
With 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune injured, Curtis Robinson will step into a starting role.
The 49ers will also have a new kicker because ex-Panther Eddie Pineiro, who made 22 of 22 field goals this year, is out with a right hamstring injury. Kicker Matt Gay, most recently with the Washington Commanders, was signed.
“He’s had a lot of success in this league and he looked really good in our practice,” Shanahan said.
Carolina and San Francisco haven’t met in over three years. This will be Carolina’s first road game against the 49ers since 2019.
The winner of the game will have a two-game winning streak.
–Field level media
