McCaffrey’s big night leads the 49ers to a win over the Panthers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Christian McCaffrey threw for 142 yards and scored a touchdown against Carolina in his first game since he was traded three years ago, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 20-9 victory over the Panthers on Friday night.

McCaffrey’s big night helped the 49ers (8-4) overcome three interceptions in the first half by Brock Purdy to stay in playoff position in the stretch run of the season.

Bryce Young and the Panthers (6-6) struggled to capitalize on their opportunities a week after he threw for a franchise-record 448 yards in a win at Atlanta. Young threw for just 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception as Carolina missed a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

The 49ers went conservative in the second half after starting the perimeter game, relying mostly on McCaffrey and short passes. Tactics followed with McCaffrey scoring on a 12-yard run to make it 17-3 and Nairns added a field goal by Matt Gay.

Young connected on a big play, a 29-yard TD pass to Tetirua McMillan, but Carolina couldn’t convert on a two-point attempt when a penalty moved the ball to the 1.

Young then threw the second interception of the game to Jay Brown with Carolina in position with a 20-9 deficit.

McCaffrey, who has transformed the 49ers’ offense since being acquired in October 2022, finished with 89 yards rushing and 53 receiving for his 10th 100-yard game of the season — two shy of the franchise record he set in 2023.

The 49ers gave the ball to McCaffrey on the first five plays of the game, leading the first opening TD drive of the season against Carolina. Purdy connected for a score on a 12-yard pass to Jaune Jennings.

Both did nothing after the crime. Pardee became the first player to throw three interceptions — Jesse Horn got two of them — in the first half all season, but the Panthers turned them into just three points. Young ruined a drive when he was intercepted by Brown on a first-down play from the 1.

The teams traded field goals and the Niners led 10-3 at the half.

Panthers: Horn and LB Claudin Cherelus left the game in the first half and did not return. … G Chandler Zavala (calf) and CB Corey Thornton (ankle) both left in the second half and did not return.

49ers: DE Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) left in the second half.

Panthers: Host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

49ers: Visit Cleveland on Sunday.