The 49ers' All-Pro running back continues to dominate on the field as San Francisco moves past the Carolina Panthers.
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t play their cleanest football of the season, but when the night settled at Levi’s Stadium, they walked away with a 20–9 victory over the Carolina Panthers, thanks largely to another workhorse performance from Christian McCaffrey.
The win pushed San Francisco to 8–4 overall and an impressive 7–2 within the NFC, strengthening their footing in what is shaping up to be a tight playoff chase.
Carolina, meanwhile, slipped to 6–6 and 4–3 against conference opponents.
The night was defined by the contrast between San Francisco’s star running back and the chaos unfolding around him.
McCaffrey once again provided the stabilizing force for the 49ers’ offense, surpassing 100 scrimmage yards for the 10th time this season.
He hit the 50 rushing/50 receiving mark for the eighth time in 2025—his 14th such game since joining the 49ers, tying him with franchise legend Frank Gore for the second-most in team history.
With three more 50/50 outings, McCaffrey would surpass the single-season record he set in 2023.
On a night when neither quarterback found rhythm, McCaffrey’s reliability became indispensable.
He finished with 142 scrimmage yards on 31 touches, 89 on the ground and 53 as a receiver, despite averaging fewer than four yards per carry for the ninth time this year.
Even so, the Niners continued feeding him the ball, and he rewarded them by grinding out tough yards and keeping the offense afloat.
San Francisco opened the game with crisp execution, marching 75 yards in 15 plays on the opening drive.
Brock Purdy capped it with a short pass to Jauan Jennings, who muscled through three Panthers defenders to reach the end zone, but the early promise quickly dissolved.
After forcing a Carolina three-and-out, Purdy’s very next throw was intercepted by Jaycee Horn, giving the Panthers prime field position at the Niners’ 16-yard line. It was the first of three consecutive first-half interceptions from Purdy, each more deflating than the last.
Carolina, however, failed to capitalize on the opportunity entirely, as their offense sputtered throughout the evening, repeatedly settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
The Panthers’ inability to punish San Francisco’s mistakes kept the 49ers within striking distance—close enough for McCaffrey’s steady production and the defense’s second-half adjustments to turn the tide.
In a game defined by miscues and missed chances, McCaffrey’s consistency proved decisive.
The 49ers may need cleaner performances down the stretch, but on this night, their star running back once again carried them exactly where they needed to go.