Christian McCaffrey leads 49ers past former Panthers team Monday night

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 propelled San Francisco to a 20-9 victory on “Monday Night Football,” finding the end zone and leading both teams in total yards from scrimmage.

The 49ers (8-4) are now firmly entrenched in the NFC playoff picture, while the Panthers (6-6) missed an opportunity to take sole possession of the NFC South lead.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

While McCaffrey shined on the prime-time stage, it was a tough night for both quarterbacks.

Brock Purdy, who threw three touchdowns in his return the previous week, struggled with turnovers, throwing three interceptions on consecutive possessions in the first half.

San Francisco started strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Purdy’s short pass to Jauan Jennings, who battled through three Panthers defenders to score. But after a quick three-and-out by the Panthers, Purdy’s first pass of the next series was caught by Jaycee Horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-yard line.

49ERS CANCEL GUARANTEED MONEY IN BRANDON AIYUK’S CONTRACT FOR 2026 SEASON AFTER BIZARRE SITUATION: REPORTS

But this night wasn’t just about Purdy’s turnovers — Young had some issues, too.

On first-and-goal from the 1, Young appeared to have room to run toward the pylon, but instead attempted a pass to tight end Mitchell Evans. Ji’Ayir Brown was there to catch the interception in the end zone and bail out Purdy for his earlier mistake.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was spotted by Mike Jackson in the opposite end zone while trying to find Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown. The route was read perfectly by the veteran cornerback. On the replay, tight end George Kittle appeared wide open and could have scored with a short pass, but Purdy was looking for the big play on the throw.

Then Purdy really kicked himself after Horn threw his second interception of the game – a smart play as he moved freely across the middle of the field and Purdy just didn’t see him on a pass intended for Pearsall. The Panthers finally scored points 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 Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

It was only 10-3 at halftime, but the 49ers finally allowed McCaffrey into the end zone in the third quarter against his former team. His 12-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive by San Francisco, where the star back got key blocks from Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk to reach the end zone.

McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards.

The Panthers weren’t completely out of the game despite the 17-3 deficit, thanks to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauling in a 29-yard strike from Young with 49 seconds left in the third quarter to make it a 17-9 game after a failed two-point conversion.

The 49ers created some separation after adding another field goal, but the Panthers still had enough time in the fourth quarter to make things interesting. Unfortunately for them, Brown jumped a route up the middle intended for McMillan, and Young threw it straight to him.

The interception practically iced the game, as Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during the Panthers’ desperate attempt to get points.

Special Fox One/Fox Nation promotion. (PK Press Club)

Looking at the score from the box, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six catches, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five catches.

For the Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard and Young combined for just 69 yards rushing, although Dowdle had four catches for 36 yards. Hubbard added four catches for 27 yards.