The San Francisco 49ers are looking to continue their undefeated ways going into Week 8 of the season. However, they are going up against one of their most challenging foes of the first half of the season: the Carolina Panthers.
There is plenty that could halt the 49ers from continuing their undefeated status in Week 8. However, they are the favorites for a reason.
Here are the four reasons the 49ers will beat the Panthers in Week 8.
4. The pass rush will be too much for QB Kyle Allen
Despite the success of Kyle Allen during his time as Cam Newton's replacement, he hasn't experienced the best protection. He currently has the ninth-highest sack percentage in the league at 7.6 percent. With the way that the San Francisco pass rush is playing, it is safe to assume that will continue.
The 49ers boast one of the league's greatest defensive fronts. They are top-five in sacks with 20 and are built on hurrying and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Adding to how challenging that will be for Allen, the ‘9ers' defense is also seventh-best at defending the run, leaving running back Christian McCaffrey unable to help on numerous plays against eight-men in the box sets.
Allen hasn't thrown an interception yet this season, but don't be surprised when he does against San Francisco.
3. More of QB Jimmy Garoppolo managing the game
Jimmy Garoppolo is someone whose play doesn't get talked about enough as the team's quarterback. Yes, he has his fair share of turnovers, and his numbers aren't the most stellar. However, the 49ers are getting solid production out of his ability to play as a game manager.
The 27-year-old QB is allowing the offense's success to come from the talent around him. When asked to go above and beyond, he does that. He can convert for first downs, whether it be throwing the ball or scrambling.
However, with the second-best rushing attack in the league and one of the best offensive minds calling the plays, there isn't much that the 49ers need to ask from Garoppolo. He gets results, and that's what San Francisco needs from him this season. He should also get more production with his newest addition.
3. The 49ers debut of WR Emmanuel Sanders
Despite being 32 years old, Emmanuel Sanders is still one of the more reliable targets the league has to offer With the surprising trade made by the 49ers to acquire him; San Francisco will benefit from a capable receiver for their franchise quarterback. It shows in what his statistics are looking like even before the trade, in comparison to starting receivers on the roster.
- Marquise Goodwin and Deebo Samuel (combined): 26 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
- Emmanuel Sanders: 30 catches for 367 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Kyle Shanahan is enjoying the fact that he finally has Sanders on his team.
“Huge fan of him coming out of the draft and everything he’s done since,” said Shanahan earlier in the week, per Pro Football Talk. We were looking into all possibilities, we didn’t know if any of them would go through. . . . I have felt less urgency than we have in year’s past. I feel good about our group, but we do have a better team right now and we were able to make it better [Tuesday] and pumped he’s here.”
Expect the 49ers to use him early and often in his first game in the red and gold.
1. Controlling time of possession and winning the turnover battle
There were two games that the Panthers had against the Buccaneers. Both of them different results.
In the first game, the Buccaneers won not only the time of possession but also the turnover battle. They limited the Panthers offense and their strong rushing game by forcing mistakes. Tampa Bay's offense made little miscues and kept the ball for the majority of the game. However, in the second game between the NFC South rivals, the Panthers got the upper hand via forcing seven turnovers and controlling the ball for the majority of the game.
If the San Francisco 49ers want to beat Carolina, then they are going to need to do what the Buccaneers did in their first matchup against the Panthers: limit the offense's time with the ball and force mistakes. The 49ers are already the second-best team in time of possession per game and have the defense to create turnovers. Now they just need that against Carolina.
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