The Carolina Panthers made their first prime-time appearance in an NFL regular-season game since Nov. 9, 2023, on Monday night with an opportunity to take sole possession of the lead in the NFC South.
And even though Carolina intercepted 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy three times in the first half, the Panthers’ return to the NFL’s national spotlight was not a star turn as San Francisco posted a 20-9 victory.
Carolina got the football at the San Francisco 16, Panthers 20 and San Francisco 33 with interceptions on three straight series, but wound up with only three points from those possessions.
Purdy still threw a touchdown pass in the first half, capping the 49ers’ opening possession with a 12-yard toss to wide receiver Jauan Jennings with 6:17 left in the first quarter.
Forty-Niners running back Christian McCaffrey ran for 89 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries and caught seven passes for 53 yards. His 12-yard TD run with 4:42 left in the third quarter gave San Francisco a 17-9 lead.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Mike Jackson intercepts a pass during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Mike Jackson intercepts a pass during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Nine players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Carolina-San Francisco game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California:
Derrick Brown (Auburn) started at defensive end for the Panthers. Brown made three tackles and knocked down one pass.
Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) started at defensive end for the 49ers. Huff made one tackle and registered two quarterback hits.
Mike Jackson (Spain Park) started at cornerback for the Panthers. Jackson made four tackles and intercepted one pass. Jackson picked off a Brock Purdy throw from the Carolina 28-yard line in the end zone with 9:35 left in the first half. Jackson’s second interception of the season was the fifth of his career.
Forty-Niners quarterback Mac Jones (Alabama) dressed for the game but did not play.
Forty-Niners cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (South Alabama) did not record any stats.
Panthers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Forty-Niners defensive back Siran Neal (Eufaula, Jacksonville State) made one tackle on special teams.
LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) made three tackles.
A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama) started at defensive end for the Panthers. Robinson made seven tackles and registered one quarterback hit.
Forty-Niners running back Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) ran for 40 yards on seven carries and caught a 4-yard pass.
Bryce Young (Alabama) started at quarterback for the Panthers. Young completed 18-of-29 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Young threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as Carolina cut San Francisco’s lead to 17-9 with 49 seconds left in the third quarter. But Young was intercepted twice by cornerback Ji’Ayir Brown – on first-and-goal from the San Francisco 1-yard line with 1:22 left in the first quarter and second-and-8 from the 49ers 33 with 6:27 to play.
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In its next game, San Francisco (8-4) plays the Cleveland Browns at noon CST Sunday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
Carolina (6-6) plays the Los Angeles Rams at noon Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. gets tackled during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. gets tackled during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)