Published Nov 21, 7:48pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 21, 7:48pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Nov 21, 7:49pm ET
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| San Francisco 49ers | -7 (-118) |
| Carolina Panthers | +7 (-102) |
After the Panthers beat the Falcons and the Buccaneers lost to the Bills, Carolina suddenly finds itself one-half game out of 1st place in the NFC South. This is a wondrous rise from where they were in Week 11 one year ago, when they were 3-7.
Finally, former first overall NFL draft pick Bryce Young is showing why he achieved that lofty status. His improvements have been incremental, but significant. Overall, he has a passer rating of 86.0. But against the Falcons, he completed 31 of 45 passes for 448 yards and 3 TDs. His passer rating for the game was 123.2.
The Panthers had fallen behind 21-7 before they mounted their comeback, winning 30-27.
Bryce Young today:
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 16, 2025
31/45
448 pass yards (franchise record)
3 TDs
Wow.
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/xoA5wWaE38
They are not ready to jump into the upper echelon of the NFC with their Week 12 opponent, but at least they are showing enough progress to keep reactive owner David Tepper from doing anything crazy. If they improve their offensive firepower and are less careless with the turnovers, they can be contenders within three years.
With two good backs in Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, and an improving wide receiving corps led by Tetairoa McMillan, they are on the verge of a dramatic jump.
The 'Niners are a big test.
ALSO SEE: NFL: Buccaneers vs Rams Injuries, Odds, Picks, Week 12 (Nov 23)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Tershawn Wharton, DT | INJURED |
| Trevin Wallace, LB | INJURED |
| Christian Rozenboom, LB | INJURED |
Quarterback Brock Purdy had been dealing with a lingering toe injury since Week 1. He returned too early for Week 4's loss to the Jaguars and was out until Week 12 against Arizona.
"Mr. Relevant" picked up where he left off, completing 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards and 3 TDs. His passer rating was 133.5.
49ers QB Brock Purdy came back after 7 weeks and didn’t miss a beat:
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) November 17, 2025
🔥 82.6% adjusted completion
🔥 200 yards
🔥 3 TDs, 0 INTs
🔥 133.5 rating
And was throwing dimes 🎯 #FTTB pic.twitter.com/qEXcTZxYG0
Mac Jones acquitted himself admirably in Purdy's stead, winning 5 and losing 3 and playing comparably to Purdy. But the offense is more efficient with Purdy, and head coach Kyle Shanahan can deploy his entire offense with the more accurate and slightly stronger-armed Purdy under center.
Christian McCaffrey is still a force at running back; Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne have been revelations at wide receiver. They have enough offense even without Brandon Aiyuk to compete. Aiyuk and the team are also said to be at odds.
The problem this season is their injury-ravaged defense.
They are 28th in the league in passing yards allowed per game. They're middle of the pack against the rush. As for takeaways, they're -5, ranked 25th in the league.
An important note: Kicker Eddy Pineiro has a hamstring issue and is questionable.
The 49ers' injuries, particularly having lost Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the season, will be hard to overcome even if they do make the playoffs.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Eddy Pineiro, K | INJURED |
| Tatum Bethune, LB | INJURED |
| Robert Beal Jr., DE | INJURED |
| Luke Gifford, LB | INJURED |
| Jacob Cowing, WR | INJURED |
| Brandon Aiyuk, WR | INJURED |
For Week 12 Panthers-49ers, the 'Niners need this win as they try to maintain their playoff position. In Weeks 13 and 14, they play the Browns and Titans. If they get to 10 wins, their playoff spot should be reasonably assured.
But Carolina will not be an easy mark.
The Panthers are in the middle of the league defensively. Both teams have been prone to turnovers, so expect the 'Niners to rely heavily on McCaffrey.
Young should not be expected to repeat last week's superlative performance. This is a great barometer to see how far he's come, and San Francisco is vulnerable to the pass.
The game will be closer than expected, and the underdog Panthers will keep the game within 7 points.
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Pick
Carolina Panthers +7
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