Without many opportunities for what would qualify as a significant game in recent seasons, this is about as big as it gets for the Carolina Panthers.
The San Francisco 49ers are more accustomed to these assignments.
Monday night’s matchup between the teams at Santa Clara, Calif., could have ramifications in the eventual NFC pecking order.
This is a rare prime-time game for the Panthers (6-5), so coach Dave Canales considers it an important next step in the team’s growth.
“So easy to sell to the team,” Canales said. “You don’t have to get guys fired up for these types of games. … You try to preach every game is a championship opportunity so you don’t all of a sudden have to get up for Monday Night Football.”
Depending on Sunday’s results in the league, the Panthers might be playing for a chance to move into first place in the NFC South. Yet it’s hugely important for the 49ers (7-4) as well as they try to climb in the competitive NFC West.
San Francisco hasn’t won consecutive games since a season-opening three-game winning streak in September.
“You address how important this game is,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Especially playing against a team that’s in the playoff hunt. I think we understand how important it is to get a back-to-back win.”
The 49ers had a season-high point total in last week’s 41-22 victory at Arizona.
Among the subplots is former Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey, who was traded to San Francisco in 2022.
McCaffrey has rushed for a team-high 707 yards with six touchdowns, while he also leads the 49ers with 74 catches and 732 receiving yards.
“He’s even better than you thought,” Shanahan said, recalling the trade from the Panthers.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young set a franchise record with 448 passing yards last week at Atlanta. He was rewarded by being named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Because of that, Carolina became the first team this season to have five players receive a weekly league honor.
“All you have to do is watch last week to see what he’s capable of,” Shanahan said of Young.
Young, who was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, dismissed any notable lingering impact from his limping because of an ailing ankle after last Sunday’s game.
“Everyone is fighting through something at this point of the year,” Young said.
Young said the Panthers, who are 3-3 in road games, understand the extra attention on them, but it shouldn’t make any difference.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy was back in action last week after a six-week layoff with a toe injury. So the extra day to recover might be beneficial before the visit from Carolina.
With 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune out with an injury, Curtis Robinson will move into a starting role.
The 49ers also will have a new kicker because ex-Panther Eddie Pineiro, who was 22-for-22 this year on field goals, is out with an injured right hamstring. Kicker Matt Gay, most recently with the Washington Commanders, was signed.
“He has had a lot of success in this league and looked real good in our workout,” Shanahan said.
Carolina and San Francisco haven’t met in more than three years. This will be the first road game for Carolina against the 49ers since 2019.
The game’s winner will have a two-game winning streak.
