Top 5 takeaways from 49ers win vs. Panthers in Week 8
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers came away with a massive 51-13 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, which leads to some key takeaways for the still-undefeated Niners nearing the halfway point of the 2019 season.
It’s nearly the halfway point of the 2019 season, and the San Francisco 49ers are still undefeated.
This, after the Niners walloped the visiting Carolina Panthers, who were winners of four straight entering Week 8, in a one-sided 51-13 victory to push head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad to a perfect 7-0.
Offensively, running back Tevin Coleman‘s four touchdowns made him the first 49ers player to achieve such a feat in a regular-season game since Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice did so back in 1993. EDGE Nick Bosa recorded three sacks and also registered one of three interceptions the Niners generated off the hand of Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, who hadn’t tossed a pick in his previous four starts.
Needless to say, San Francisco’s victory in Week 8 comes with a lot of takeaways, almost entirely on the positive side of things. And while Shanahan and Co. would say the 7-0 record does nothing but guarantee a 7-9 finish, at worst, it’s becoming clearly apparent the Niners are the “real deal” this season.
Time to look at some of the biggest takeaways.
No. 5: Yes, the 49ers Are Legitimate Contenders
Previous statement wins over the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams may have not been enough to quiet the doubters. But beating what was a red-hot Panthers team coming off its bye in Week 7 is an entirely different story altogether.
Carolina needed Week 8 in the win column to maintain pace with the one-loss New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. And the Panthers boasted one of the better defenses in the league, especially against the pass.
Looking at 51 points later, it’s clear the 49ers made their statement, this time against a no-question playoff contender.
Think about this: Week 9 will mark the halfway point for San Francisco which, at worst, will hit this mark with a 7-1 record. And those who felt the Niners “haven’t played anyone yet” are running out of arguments to back up that assessment.