Carolina @ San Francisco preview
Levi's Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2017 ) Carolina 23, San Francisco 3
The San Francisco 49ers’ defense is in the midst of a dominant stretch but will face a tough test against the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers have won six straight meetings, including a 23-3 victory in their last trip to San Francisco in 2017.
San Francisco is one of two undefeated teams in the league - and the only one in the NFC - while Carolina has rallied to win four straight following an 0-2 start. The 49ers have held three straight opponents to seven points or fewer and under 200 total yards - becoming only the sixth team to do so since 1990 - as they are coming off a 9-0 win at Washington. They’ll have a hard time extending that streak against the Panthers, who average 27.7 points per game and have seen the offense flourish since Kyle Allen took over for the injured Cam Newton. Allen is the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win his first five starts without throwing an interception and passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-26 win over Tampa Bay in London in Week 6.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: 49ers -5.5. O/U: 42
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (4-2): Carolina has been outgained in its last two games but still managed to come away with victories. Allen has been efficient and avoided mistakes, and star running back Christian McCaffrey ranks second in the league in yards from scrimmage (923) and is tied for the NFL lead with nine touchdowns. The Panthers’ secondary was outstanding early in the season but has surrendered more than 350 yards in consecutive games and was bailed out by seven turnovers by the Buccaneers.
ABOUT THE 49ERS (6-0): San Francisco has been perhaps the biggest surprise in the league - not only winning, but winning big as only one of its six games has been decided by one possession. The 49ers are doing it with a strong ground game and a dominant defense, as the trio of Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert leads the NFL’s No. 2 rushing offense, and San Francisco ranks second in total defense and scoring defense. Jimmy Garoppolo has been steady, if unspectacular, averaging 219 passing yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Garoppolo is 5-0 with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in five home starts with San Francisco.
2. Carolina WR D.J. Moore has recorded six or more receptions in consecutive games.
3. San Francisco rookie DL Nick Bosa posted career highs in tackles (seven) and tackles for loss (four) last week and is tied for second in the NFL with eight tackles for loss.
PREDICTION: 49ers 24, Panthers 17