49ers vs. Panthers: 3 easy predictions to make for Week 5

3 of 4

San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Talanoa Hufanga will be all over the field for 49ers defense

Safety Talanoa Hufanga is having one hell of a season so far. He had his fair share of criticism coming into the starting strong safety role in place of the departed Jaquiski Tartt, yet week after week has shown Hufanga to be the real-deal kind of player.

And he has certainly not disappointed at all.

Hufanga has been excellent all over the field, whether it’s coming to the line of scrimmage and helping to stop the run, or being in pass coverage.

Hufanga got his first career interception in the first game of the 2022 season against the Chicago Bears. Then against the Rams in Week 4, he had a fantastic pick-six in which he hit 21.01 miles per hour as he was speeding toward the end zone.

Expect much of the same against the Panthers who do not have a very good offense.

Hufanga should get his third career interception off of Carolina quarterback Baker Mayfield, and he should have at least two tackles for a loss.