49ers Dominate Panthers 45-13 to Advance in NFC Playoffs

SANTA CLARA, CA — The San Francisco 49ers powered their way past the Carolina Panthers in a commanding 45-13 Wild Card victory at Levi’s Stadium, setting the stage for a Divisional Round showdown with the Atlanta Falcons. Fueled by a balanced offensive attack and a relentless defense, the 49ers left no doubt, overwhelming the Panthers with explosive plays and suffocating pressure.

Game Recap

The game began with an early back-and-forth. The 49ers struck first as Brock Purdy connected with Ricky Pearsall for a 1-yard touchdown pass, putting San Francisco up 7-0. Carolina responded quickly, with Brandon McManus nailing a 50-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. The Panthers then seized momentum as Jaycee Horn intercepted Purdy, returning it 57 yards for a touchdown to give Carolina a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter.

However, San Francisco took control in the second quarter and never looked back. Christian McCaffrey scored on a 1-yard plunge, followed by a stunning 60-yard touchdown run to put the 49ers up 21-10. Purdy continued to carve up the Panthers’ secondary, finding George Kittle for a 20-yard touchdown and later connecting with McCaffrey again on a 9-yard pass, closing out a dominant 28-point quarter. A late McManus field goal brought Carolina to 28-13 as the teams headed into halftime.

In the second half, the 49ers’ defense tightened, shutting down any attempts at a Panthers comeback. Jake Moody added a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter, extending San Francisco’s lead to 31-13. The final blow came in the fourth quarter when Purdy launched a 40-yard bomb to Deebo Samuel, sealing the game at 45-13 and putting the Panthers’ season to rest.

Key Stats

• Brock Purdy: 26/36, 296 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception
• Christian McCaffrey: 16 carries, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns; 3 receptions, 31 yards, 1 touchdown
• George Kittle: 8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 touchdown
• Deebo Samuel: 4 receptions, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
• 49ers Defense: 6 sacks, consistently pressuring Carolina’s quarterback and disrupting the Panthers’ offensive rhythm
• Brandon McManus (CAR): 2/2 FG, long of 50 yards
• Jaycee Horn (CAR): 1 interception, 57-yard return for a touchdown

The 49ers’ offense was efficient and explosive, amassing 45 points while controlling the clock with 24:35 of possession. San Francisco’s defense was equally dominant, shutting out the Panthers in the second half and allowing just 13 points overall. Carolina struggled to find an offensive rhythm, holding the ball for only 15:25 and failing to score after halftime.

Quotes from the Field

After the game, Brock Purdy credited the team’s preparation and execution: “We came in knowing what we needed to do. The guys up front gave me time, and Christian [McCaffrey] and George [Kittle] made huge plays. It was a total team effort.”

Christian McCaffrey, who electrified the crowd with his long touchdown run, added, “This is what playoff football is all about. We wanted to make a statement, and we did. Now we’re onto the next one.”

Panthers head coach expressed disappointment but praised the 49ers’ performance: “We got off to a good start, but they made the adjustments, and we couldn’t keep up. Credit to San Francisco; they played a heck of a game.”

Up Next

With their Wild Card victory, the 49ers advance to the NFC Divisional Round, where they’ll face the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta, fresh off a win over the Los Angeles Rams, will present a new challenge as San Francisco aims to continue their playoff push with another strong performance.