Carolina Panthers vs 49ers Match Player Stats
The carolina panthers vs 49ers match player stats tell the story of a game that was defined by defensive resilience, ball control, and timely offensive execution. On November 25, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers secured a 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers in an NFL matchup that highlighted the importance of winning the trenches, controlling possession, and capitalizing on key moments.
While the final score suggests a comfortable win for San Francisco, a deeper look reveals a competitive contest filled with defensive takeaways, quarterback challenges, and standout individual performances. Carolina’s defense forced three interceptions from Brock Purdy, yet the Panthers were unable to fully capitalize on those opportunities. Meanwhile, the 49ers relied on Christian McCaffrey’s rushing production, efficient defensive play, and strong special teams execution to improve to 8-4 on the season.
For fans, analysts, fantasy football followers, and NFL enthusiasts, this detailed statistical review provides a complete understanding of how the game unfolded and which players had the biggest impact.
Game Overview
| Category | Result |
| Matchup | Carolina Panthers vs San Francisco 49ers |
| Date | November 25, 2025 |
| Competition | NFL |
| Final Score | San Francisco 49ers 20, Carolina Panthers 9 |
| Carolina Record | 6-6 |
| San Francisco Record | 8-4 |
Quarter by Quarter Score
| Quarter | Carolina | San Francisco |
| First Quarter | 0 | 7 |
| Second Quarter | 3 | 3 |
| Third Quarter | 6 | 7 |
| Fourth Quarter | 0 | 3 |
| Final | 9 | 20 |
San Francisco established control early and never allowed Carolina to gain momentum. Although the Panthers remained within striking distance for most of the game, their inability to convert turnovers into points ultimately proved costly.
How the Game Was Won
Football games are often decided by a few critical factors:
- Rushing efficiency
- Turnover management
- Third-down execution
- Field position
- Red-zone success
In this matchup, San Francisco excelled in the running game and maintained offensive balance despite Brock Purdy throwing three interceptions. Carolina’s defense created opportunities, but the offense struggled to consistently move the ball and sustain drives.
The Panthers generated only one offensive touchdown throughout the contest, while the 49ers controlled tempo through their rushing attack and disciplined defensive play.
Carolina Panthers vs 49ers Match Player Stats: Quarterback Analysis
Quarterbacks always attract the most attention, and both signal callers experienced mixed performances.
Bryce Young Statistics
| Stat | Value |
| Completions/Attempts | 18/29 |
| Passing Yards | 169 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Passer Rating | 60.8 |
Bryce Young showed flashes of effectiveness, particularly on scoring drives. His touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan demonstrated accuracy and composure under pressure.
However, the two interceptions limited Carolina’s ability to build momentum. Young completed over 62 percent of his passes, but explosive plays were difficult to find against the 49ers secondary.
What Bryce Young Did Well
- Protected the football better than the raw interception total suggests
- Maintained poise despite defensive pressure
- Delivered the Panthers’ lone passing touchdown
Areas That Hurt Carolina
- Lack of explosive passing plays
- Difficulty stretching the field vertically
- Two costly turnovers
Brock Purdy Statistics
| Stat | Value |
| Completions/Attempts | 23/32 |
| Passing Yards | 193 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Passer Rating | 58.5 |
At first glance, Purdy’s three interceptions stand out. Yet the overall context paints a different picture.
Despite the turnovers, Purdy completed nearly 72 percent of his passes and consistently moved the chains. His chemistry with George Kittle and Jauan Jennings helped sustain drives and maintain possession.
The 49ers coaching staff wisely leaned on the running game when necessary, preventing the interceptions from becoming game-changing mistakes.
Comparing the Quarterbacks
| Category | Bryce Young | Brock Purdy |
| Passing Yards | 169 | 193 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 3 |
| Completions | 18 | 23 |
| Attempts | 29 | 32 |
Purdy produced more yardage and completed more passes, while Young protected the ball slightly better. Neither quarterback delivered a dominant performance, making the supporting casts especially important.
Running Game Analysis
The biggest statistical difference between the teams came on the ground.
Carolina Panthers Rushing Statistics
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average |
| Rico Dowdle | 6 | 38 | 6.3 |
| Team Total | 13 | 69 | 5.3 |
Carolina averaged an impressive 5.3 yards per carry, but the Panthers only rushed the ball 13 times.
This low rushing volume suggests they were forced away from the ground game while attempting to keep pace with San Francisco.
Rico Dowdle’s Impact
Dowdle emerged as Carolina’s most productive offensive weapon.
His contributions included:
- Team-leading rushing total
- Team-leading receiving yards
- Consistent efficiency with limited touches
Whenever Carolina generated positive offensive plays, Dowdle was frequently involved.
San Francisco Rushing Statistics
| Player | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns |
| Christian McCaffrey | 24 | 89 | 1 |
| Team Total | 38 | 147 | 1 |
The 49ers committed fully to the rushing attack, recording 38 team carries.
That commitment achieved several objectives:
- Controlled game tempo
- Reduced pressure on Purdy
- Limited Carolina’s offensive opportunities
- Wore down the Panthers defense
Christian McCaffrey Dominates
McCaffrey once again demonstrated why he remains one of the NFL’s most complete offensive players.
His performance featured:
- 24 rushing attempts
- 89 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
While not a massive yardage total, his workload and consistency were critical.
The former Panthers star effectively controlled the flow of the game and delivered key first downs when San Francisco needed them.
Receiving Leaders and Passing Targets
Carolina Receiving Statistics
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
| Rico Dowdle | 4 | 36 | 0 |
| Tetairoa McMillan | 2 | 35 | 1 |
The Panthers lacked a true breakout receiving performance.
Dowdle led the team in receiving yards, highlighting how heavily Carolina relied on short and intermediate throws.
Tetairoa McMillan’s Touchdown
McMillan delivered Carolina’s most significant offensive highlight.
His stat line:
- 2 receptions
- 35 yards
- 1 touchdown
The touchdown briefly provided hope for a Panthers comeback.
San Francisco Receiving Statistics
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
| George Kittle | 6 | 78 | 0 |
| Jauan Jennings | 5 | 41 | 1 |
George Kittle’s Consistency
Kittle was Brock Purdy’s most reliable target.
His six receptions for 78 yards helped sustain multiple drives and provided critical production on intermediate routes.
Elite tight ends often influence games without scoring touchdowns, and Kittle’s performance is a perfect example.
Jauan Jennings Finds the End Zone
Jennings turned a productive outing into an impactful one by scoring San Francisco’s receiving touchdown.
His contributions included:
- 5 catches
- 41 yards
- 1 touchdown
The score helped the 49ers maintain control throughout the contest.
Defensive Statistics and Impact
The defensive battle was one of the most fascinating aspects of this matchup.
Carolina Defensive Performance
| Category | Total |
| Total Tackles | 90 |
| Solo Tackles | 32 |
| Tackles for Loss | 3 |
| Pass Deflections | 4 |
| QB Hits | 1 |
Carolina’s defense played hard enough to keep the game competitive.
Forcing three interceptions against Brock Purdy is a significant accomplishment.
Jaycee Horn’s Elite Performance
Horn delivered one of the best defensive performances of the game.
His impact:
- 2 interceptions
- Excellent coverage throughout the contest
Defensive backs rarely produce multiple interceptions in a single game, making Horn’s performance especially impressive.
Mike Jackson Adds Another Turnover
Mike Jackson contributed Carolina’s third interception.
Together, Horn and Jackson repeatedly challenged San Francisco’s passing attack.
Krys Barnes Leads the Tackling Unit
| Stat | Total |
| Total Tackles | 10 |
| Solo Tackles | 3 |
Barnes consistently found the football and provided stability in the middle of the defense.
San Francisco Defensive Performance
| Category | Total |
| Total Tackles | 44 |
| Solo Tackles | 29 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Tackles for Loss | 2 |
| Pass Deflections | 4 |
| QB Hits | 3 |
The 49ers defense focused on limiting explosive plays and forcing mistakes.
That strategy worked exceptionally well.
Ji’Ayir Brown Changes the Game
Brown produced arguably the most important defensive performance on the field.
His statistics:
- 2 interceptions
- 4 interception return yards
Those takeaways directly prevented Carolina from building offensive momentum.
Malik Mustapha’s Defensive Leadership
| Stat | Total |
| Total Tackles | 7 |
| Solo Tackles | 7 |
Mustapha’s perfect solo tackle count reflects strong tackling fundamentals and excellent positioning.
Turnover Battle Analysis
Turnovers often determine NFL outcomes.
Carolina Takeaways
- 3 interceptions
- 36 interception return yards
San Francisco Takeaways
- 2 interceptions
- 4 interception return yards
Interestingly, Carolina won the turnover battle yet still lost by 11 points.
This statistic reveals an important football lesson.
Creating turnovers is valuable, but teams must convert those opportunities into points. Carolina failed to do so consistently.
Special Teams Performance
Special teams quietly influenced field position throughout the game.
Carolina Special Teams
Ryan Fitzgerald
| Stat | Value |
| Field Goals | 1/2 |
| Longest | 25 |
| Points | 3 |
Sam Martin
| Stat | Value |
| Punts | 4 |
| Yards | 201 |
| Average | 50.3 |
| Longest | 55 |
Martin delivered an outstanding punting performance and repeatedly helped Carolina win field position battles.
Trevor Etienne Return Statistics
Kick Returns
- 3 returns
- 74 yards
- 24.7 average
Punt Returns
- 1 return
- 6 yards
San Francisco Special Teams
Matt Gay
| Stat | Value |
| Field Goals | 2/2 |
| Extra Points | 2/2 |
| Longest FG | 47 |
| Points | 8 |
Gay’s flawless kicking performance provided a crucial difference.
Skyy Moore
| Stat | Value |
| Kick Returns | 3 |
| Return Yards | 80 |
| Average | 26.7 |
Strong returns consistently gave San Francisco favorable starting field position.
The Most Important Numbers from the Game
Several statistics explain the outcome better than the final score alone.
1. San Francisco Rushing Attempts
38 carries compared to Carolina’s 13.
This enormous gap demonstrates how thoroughly the 49ers controlled game flow.
2. Christian McCaffrey’s Workload
Twenty four carries allowed San Francisco to dictate tempo.
3. Carolina’s Offensive Limitations
Only 169 passing yards and 69 rushing yards made sustained scoring difficult.
4. Ji’Ayir Brown’s Two Interceptions
Those turnovers stopped promising Carolina drives.
5. Matt Gay’s Perfect Kicking
Eight points from special teams proved valuable in a defensive contest.
Key Performers of the Match
Carolina Panthers
Offensive MVP
Bryce Young
- 169 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
Defensive MVP
Jaycee Horn
- 2 interceptions
San Francisco 49ers
Offensive MVP
Christian McCaffrey
- 89 rushing yards
- 1 touchdown
Defensive MVP
Ji’Ayir Brown
- 2 interceptions
What This Result Means Going Forward
For San Francisco, the victory reinforced the team’s ability to win even when the passing game struggles. The combination of strong defense, reliable special teams, and an effective rushing attack remains a championship-caliber formula.
For Carolina, the game offered encouragement despite the loss. The defense generated three interceptions against a playoff contender, and young players showed flashes of potential. However, offensive consistency remains the primary challenge.
According to the official NFL statistics platform, rushing efficiency and turnover conversion remain among the most influential factors in determining game outcomes across the league. NFL Stats
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Panthers vs 49ers game on November 25, 2025?
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 20-9.
Who led Carolina in passing?
Bryce Young led Carolina with 169 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Who was the leading rusher in the game?
Christian McCaffrey led all rushers with 89 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries.
Which player recorded the most interceptions?
Jaycee Horn and Ji’Ayir Brown each recorded two interceptions.
Who was the leading receiver for San Francisco?
George Kittle led the 49ers with six receptions for 78 yards.
Why did San Francisco win despite throwing three interceptions?
The 49ers controlled the rushing attack, dominated time of possession, received excellent special teams contributions, and prevented Carolina from turning turnovers into enough points.
Conclusion
The carolina panthers vs 49ers match player stats reveal a game where efficiency outweighed explosiveness. San Francisco overcame three interceptions by controlling the ground game, relying on Christian McCaffrey’s steady production, and receiving key contributions from Ji’Ayir Brown, George Kittle, and Matt Gay.
Carolina’s defense deserves credit for keeping the game competitive through the efforts of Jaycee Horn, Krys Barnes, and Mike Jackson. However, the offense struggled to capitalize on turnover opportunities and could not generate enough sustained drives to challenge the 49ers late in the contest.
When examining the carolina panthers vs 49ers match player stats, the clearest takeaway is that rushing dominance, defensive discipline, and special teams execution were the deciding factors behind San Francisco’s 20-9 victory. The carolina panthers vs 49ers match player stats also highlight how small advantages across multiple phases of the game can ultimately produce a comfortable NFL win.
