Niner Noise
FanSided

Grades, analysis from 49ers injury-riddled win over Panthers

By Jeremy Wohlfart

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Juston Burris #31 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 09: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Juston Burris #31 of the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers
Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

49ers defensive grades vs. Panthers

Defensive Line

Losing Nick Bosa to a groin injury was a big blow, but the defensive line is so full of talent they were able to compensate easily for it against a Carolina team that’s struggled to block.

Statistically, only Charles Omenihu and rookie Drake Jackson for the defensive line, but the eyeball test shows a lot more pressure being put on Baker Mayfield.

Christian McCaffrey was kept in check on the ground too, only finding 54 yards on 14 carries (and their lone touchdown) for only 3.9 yards per carry.

Hopefully, Bosa won’t be out for a significant period of time as he is the anchor of this offensive line, but this outfit can get on just fine if it needs to.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

San Francisco did blitz a few times to help compensate for the loss of Bosa, and Carolina was not ready for it whatsoever with the linebackers actually gaining half a sack more than the defensive line. A rarity for a 49ers team that doesn’t blitz often.

Fred Warner and Demetrious Flannigan-Fowles had a sack each, with Oren Burks being credited with half a sack. A strong pass-rushing effort for them.

The linebackers did their job on the ground as well, not allowing major gains for the most part. The Panthers only got to over 300 yards of offense for the first time this season because of some extended garbage time.

Tick off another solid performance to get the job done by the best linebacker corps in football.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Did somebody say pick-six? The second in as many games for the secondary, with Emmanuel Moseley breaking the spirit of the Panthers late in the first half from which they never recovered:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1579221921887133696

Mayfield struggled to move the ball down the field, for the most part, repeatedly trying to challenge Charvarius Ward and repeatedly finding out that’s not a good idea.

Some of the yardage numbers for Carolina look pretty, but that’s merely a result of garbage time.

They even got in on the sack party too with Talanoa Hufanga (can we just call him Baby ‘Malu?) recording a sack and Tashaun Gipson being credited with half a sack.

Grade: A-