In a highly anticipated reunion with his former team, Christian McCaffrey delivered a characteristically dominant performance, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers despite a rough night from quarterback Brock Purdy.
McCaffrey, traded from Carolina to San Francisco three years ago, amassed 142 yards from scrimmage and a crucial 12-yard touchdown run. His efforts were vital in overcoming three first-half interceptions thrown by Purdy, who became the first player this season to throw three picks in a half.
“It’s really just business once the ball was snapped,” McCaffrey said of facing his old team, noting that the Panthers roster is now largely different.
The 49ers (8-4) adopted a conservative game plan in the second half, relying heavily on McCaffrey and short passes to secure the win and maintain their playoff positioning. The Panthers (6-6), meanwhile, squandered multiple opportunities, including two interceptions thrown by Bryce Young in scoring territory. The loss was compounded by a post-game altercation between players, highlighting the game’s frustrations.
By James Kisoo
