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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 powered 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 a 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 on the primetime stage, it was a rough night for both quarterbacks.
Brock Purdy, who threw for three touchdowns in his return the previous week, struggled with turnovers and threw three interceptions on consecutive possessions in the first half.
San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Purdy’s short pass to Jauan Jennings, who fought his way through three Panthers defenders for the score. But after a quick Panthers three-and-out, Purdy’s first pass on the next series was picked off by Jaycee Horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-yard line.
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But this night wasn’t all about Purdy’s turnovers — Young had some issues, too.
On first-and-goal from the 1, Young appeared to have room to run toward the pylon, but he instead attempted a pass to tight end Mitchell Evans. Ji’Ayir Brown was right there to catch the interception in the end zone and save Purdy for his earlier mistake.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was picked off by Mike Jackson in the opposite end zone as he tried to find Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown. The route was read perfectly by the veteran cornerback. After the replay, tight end George Kittle saw wide open and could have scored with a short pass, but Purdy looked for the big play on the throw.
Then Purdy really kicked himself after Horn secured his second interception of the game – a savvy play as he roamed free in the middle of the field and Purdy simply 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 in 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 in which the star running back got key blocks from Kittle and running back Kyle Juszczyk to reach the end zone.
McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards.
The Panthers weren’t completely out of the game despite the 17-3 deficit, thanks to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauling in a 29-yard strike 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 popped a route over the middle intended for McMillan and Young threw it right to him.
The interception nearly iced the game when Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during the Panthers’ desperate bid for points.
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Looking at the box score, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six catches, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five carries.
For the Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard and Young combined for just 69 rushing yards, although Dowdle had four catches for 36 yards. Hubbard added four catches for 27 yards.
