Panthers vs. 49ers: Full Week 8 preview, breakdown for San Francisco
![SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fafc895155aa8d3924b70b7606089dcdcf7f5b240238d18310ae55037eed69b9.jpg)
Quarterback Comparison: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Kyle Allen
Quarterback controversy has been the talk of Carolina this season. Cam Newton is a former MVP who got the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance, however he’s not been as good in recent years, in part due to injury, which has allowed Kyle Allen a shot at the helm.
Newton had a chance to return, but it’s been confirmed Allen will get the start against San Francisco.
Kyle Allen
Allen has been perfect in his starts this season when it comes to the final score, which is why Carolina isn’t in any dilemma that necessitates rushing Newton back.
Allen has thrown for 901 yards and seven touchdowns in his four starts. He’s thrown no interceptions, but has fumbled a notable six times.
Allen has been careful when throwing, but hasn’t been airing it out either. According to NextGen Stats, Allen ranked 15th for passers with a 65.6 percent completion rate, but 26th for average-completed air yards at 5.4.
Allen has very comparable stats to Case Keenum, the Niners’ last quarterback opponent.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Don’t let the stats fool you, the 9-0 victory last week over the came primarily on the ability of Jimmy Garoppolo to make throws in conditions that made even the easiest passes a challenge.
Turnovers remain a challenge, however, as opposed to the clean Allen.
Garoppolo actually has less average-completed air yards at 5.0, but that’s more indicative of what the team whats to do. Garoppolo rarely wants to take deep shots and instead prefers accurate passing, as shown by his 68.3 percent completion rate (good for seventh in the league).
Part of this is because of the injuries the 49ers have been bringing into this game.