– For todayNow you can listen to FOX news headlines!
Christian McCaffrey faced his former team the Carolina Panthers for the first time since being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
The All-Pro running back gave San Francisco a 20-9 win on “Monday Night Football,” finding the end zone and leading both teams in total yards from scrimmage.
The 49ers (8-4) are now in the NFC Playoff picture, while the Panthers (6-6) missed a chance to take the NFC South lead.
Click here for more on sports Foxnews.com
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 Field on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
While McCaffrey cleaned up in the first round, it was a tough night for both pitchers.
Brock Purdy, who threw three touchdowns in his return last week, battled turnovers, throwing three touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the first half.
San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play touchdown drive, capped by a short Jennings pass to Juaan Jennings, who fought three Panthers defenders for scores. But after a quick pass, Purdy’s first pass on the next series was picked off by a Jaycee horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-Yard Line.
49ers not making guaranteed money on Brandon Aiyuk’s 2026 contract after surprise move: Reports
But this night it wasn’t just turdy’s Turnovers – the youngsters had some problems.
With the first and goal concept from 1, Young seemed to have a place to run towards the pylon, but instead he tried to transfer the end of Evans from Mitchell. Ji’ayir Brown was there to skip a caution in the end zone and bail out of his earlier mistake.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was picked off by Mike Jackson on the opposite side of the field when he tried to get Ricky Pealed all over. The method was well studied by Veteran Corneback. When the power came, tight end George Kittle was wide open and could have scored a short score, but Purdy wanted a big play on the throw.
Then Purdy really kicked himself after the horn saved his second break of the game – a play from the back as he wandered midfield and Purdy didn’t see him with a pass intended for Pealell. The Panthers finally got a score 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 Leviathan Stadium 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
It was only 10-3 on the hour, but the 49ers finally found McCaffrey in the end zone in the third quarter against his former team. His clean touchdown run-play, 80-yard drive by San Francisco, where the Star returned the main blocks from Kittle and Kyleback juszczyk to reach the end zone.
McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards.
The Panthers were not completely out of this game despite a 17-3 deficit, thanks to the rookie receiver pulling in a 29-yard line from 49 seconds left to make a 17-9 struction after a 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 jumped a route past McMillan’s middle, and the junior threw it right at him.
The turnover came from Iced by FITS, as Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during a desperate attempt to score.
Fox One / Fox National Promotion special. (FOX News)
Click here for the FOX News app
If you look at the box score, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six catches, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five catches.
For the Panthers, Rico Dongwane, Chuba Hubbard and Bouth combined for only 69 rushing yards, although the guide had four scores for 36 yards. Hubbard added four catches for 27 yards.
Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports Integration on X and sign up FOX News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
