1 of 5 | San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (C) celebrates a 12-yard touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on Monday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Christian McCaffrey galloped for 142 yards and the San Francisco 49ers defense allowed just 230 to power a primetime win over the Carolina Panthers.
McCaffrey reached his yardage total on 31 touches in the 20-9 triumph against his former team Monday in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers edged the Panthers 23-12 in first downs and 147-69 in rushing yards. The Panthers converted on just 1 of 7 third-down conversion attempts and trailed by more than 15 minutes in time of possession.
“There was probably a lot left out there that we want, but anytime you get a win in this league, it’s awesome,” McCaffrey told reporters. “Anytime I’m able to step on the field and play, I feel extremely blessed.
“I’m my biggest critic. I always want more. But I loved the way our guys went out there and found a way to win.”
Can't stop Christian
: ESPN NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/HkalyLdmHE— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 25, 2025
McCaffrey and the Panthers opened the game with a 15-play, 72-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings to end the possession. Neither team found the end zone again until the third quarter.
Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald made a 25-yard kick 2:28 before halftime. His counterpart, Matt Gay, made a 47-yard attempt on the next drive and the 49ers carried a 10-3 lead into the break.
McCaffrey added to the 49ers lead with a 12-yard touchdown jaunt with 4:42 remaining in the third quarter. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young found wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with a 29-yard touchdown toss on the next drive.
Gay made a 29-yard field goal with 9:21 remaining in the game for the final points of the night.
Purdy completed 23 of 32 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, but also threw three interceptions, including two to Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. Young completed 18 of 29 passes for 169 yards, a score and two interceptions, which both went to safety Ja’Ayir Brown.
Tig said NOPE ♂️
: ESPN NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/qexXmNgybi— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 25, 2025
With his performance, McCaffrey pushed his season yards from scrimmage total to a league-high 1,581 and now has a dozen touchdowns. He also leads the NFL with 217 rushing attempts, 81 receptions and 298 touches.
“He really makes our pass game go,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of McCaffrey. “When things aren’t there, just how automatic he is on the check downs and stuff underneath. He allows us to stay on the field a lot and he’s one of the main reasons we have so many 10-play plus drives.”
The 49ers (8-4) will face the Cleveland Browns (3-8) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Cleveland. The Panthers (6-6) will host the Los Angeles Rams (9-2) at the same time in Charlotte, N.C.
Most iconic Super Bowl moments
John Elway’s first Super Bowl win, 1998Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on January 25, 1998. The win marked Elway’s first Super Bowl title and included his famed “helicopter” run, one of the signature plays of his Hall of Fame career. Photo by Mickey Pfleger/UPI | License Photo
