49ers @ Panthers Week 5 Live Blog
CHARLOTTE -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 5 game against the Carolina Panthers. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
11:13 The 49ers need to get their offense on track, which means they need to get someone other than Deebo Samuel involved in the pass game. George Kittle is an obvious candidate, but he's coming off a groin injury and doesn't currently seem to have the burst to separate from linebackers or safeties. He's best used as a blocker and a decoy and a contested-catch receiver in the red zone.
So the 49ers should focus on passing to Brandon Aiyuk. His game is separation after he reaches top speed, which is why he's most effective running intermediate routes near the sidelines and deep routes over the middle. Unfortunately for the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo can't/won't throw those passes. So Kyle Shanahan has to figure out other ways to get Aiyuk the ball after he reaches his top speed. I suggest shallow crossing routes. Also, the 49ers should put Aiyuk in motion before the snap the way Bill Walsh used to put Jerry Rice in motion so he could reach his top speed before the play even started. Leave the screens and other routes that require short-area burst and quick change of direction to Samuel, Ray-Ray McCloud and Danny Gray.
It's a shame the 49ers have to work around Garoppolo's limitations as a passer. If they had a better quarterback, Aiyuk might lead the NFL in receiving yards.
11:39 Here are the 49ers inactives: Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Marlon Mack, Ty Davis-Price, Trent Williams, Tarvarius Moore, Tyler Kroft.
12:29 Tashaun Gipson appears to be the starting free safety in place of Jimmie Ward.
1:03 The Panthers win the toss and defer to the second half. The 49ers will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
1:10 On 2nd and goal from the 9, Garoppolo throws a screen pass to Tevin Coleman, who scores a touchdown. Beautiful opening scripted drive by Kyle Shanahan. George Kittle made a 20-yard contested catch up the left sideline, and Jeff Wilson Jr. broke through a loaded box to run for 41 yards and put the 49ers in the red zone.
49ers 7, Panthers 0.
1:16 On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 25, Christian McCaffrey runs for no gain, and the Panthers go three and out. Charvarius Ward broke up a deep pass intended for D.J. Moore on 2nd and 1. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 15.
1:23 On first and 10 from the 49ers 38, Garoppolo completes a pass to Kittle, who turns up field, gets hit and fumbles. While the ball is rolling on the ground, Brandon Aiyuk has a chance to fall on it, but instead tries to scoop it and run with it but never gets it. Bad play. The Panthers recover and take over at their 44.
1:32 On 3rd and 13 from the 49ers 34, Baker Mayfield throws a quick pass to Christian McCaffrey who gains 10 yards. Then instead of going for it on 4th and 2, the Panthers attempt a 41-yard field goal and miss it. The 49ers take over at their 31.
1:36 Jimmie Ward is out with a hand injury. He played just one snap. Maybe he shouldn't have played linebacker on the first play.
SECOND QUARTER
1:43 On 3rd and 14 from the 49ers 25, Jaylon Moore gives up a sack to Brian Burns. Then Robbie Gould makes a 49-yard field goal. Tevin Coleman had a 30-yard catch up the left sideline during the drive. Shanahan has called two successful deep shots -- one for Kittle and one for Coleman. But his starting wide receivers currently have zero catches. Once Shanahan runs out of gimmick shot plays for tight ends and running backs, what will he have left?
49ers 10, Panthers 0.
1:56 On 3rd and 10 from the 49ers 31, Mayfield completes a 6-yard pass, and then the Panthers make a 43-yard field goal. Charvarius Ward gave up a 32-yard catch to Robbie Anderson during the drive.
49ers 10, Panthers 3.
2:04 On 3rd and 5 from the 49ers 45, the 49ers go empty backfield, the Panthers blitz and Garoppolo throws a deep incomplete pass intended for Brandon Aiyuk. The pass was behind him. After the punt, the Panthers take over at their 7.
2:08 On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 13, Baker Mayfield throws the ball away as he takes a hit from Nick Bosa. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 46.
2:20 On 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 30, Garoppolo hits Kittle for five yards. Then the Panthers block Robbie Gould's 43-yard field goal attempt. That's the second blocked field goal for the 49ers this season. The other was Week 2 against the Seahawks. The Panthers take over at their 22 with 1:41 left.
2:24 On 2nd and 20 from the Carolina 30, Mayfield airmails a pass and gets intercepted by Emmanuel Moseley, who returns the pick 41 yards for a touchdown. Starting to feel like the 49ers defense will score more points that it will give up today.
49ers 17, Panthers 3.
2:35 Garoppolo completed 8 of 10 passes in the first quarter, but just 3 of 8 passes in the second quarter. He tends to play his best during the scripted first 15 plays.
2:38 The Panthers have lost 24 games in a row when they've given up at least 17 points. Doesn't look like their offense will score more than 6 points today.
THIRD QUARTER
2:45 The Panthers return the kickoff to their 49.
2:50 On 4th and 1 from the 49ers 19, Mayfield flips the ball to McCaffrey, who runs around the right side for a touchdown. The Panthers go for two from the 1-yard line and the 49ers stop McCaffrey in the backfield.
49ers 17, Panthers 9.
2:57 Nick Bosa is out with a groin injury.
3:05 On 3rd and goal from the 4, Garoppolo throws a touchdown pass to Samuel. That was the 49ers' best second-half series of the season.
49ers 24, Panthers 9.
3:09 The Panthers return the kickoff to midfield and Robbie Gould limps off the field after the play.
3:12 On 3rd and 10, Mayfield holds the ball and runs into a sack from Fred Warner. Then the Panthers kick another field goal. Charvarius Ward broke up a pass in the end zone on the previous play. He has four pass breakups today. He's fantastic.
49ers 24, Panthers 12.
3:20 Robbie Gould has a left-knee injury and is questionable to return.
3:25 Gould is now out.
FOURTH QUARTER
3:29 On 1st and goal from the 1, Jeff Wilson Jr. plows into the end zone and scores a touchdown. He's running his ass off. He has 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
3:30 The 49ers go for 2 and Garoppolo connects with Aiyuk in the end zone, but Aaron Banks is flagged for holding. Now Mitch Wishnowsky will attempt a 43-yard extra point.
3:30 Wishnowsky misses it wide left. The Panthers take over at their 25.
3:34 The 49ers needed to make a statement today that they can blow out bad teams, and they have. Big confidence booster.
3:42 On 3rd and 11 from the 49ers 24, Mayfield completes a pass for 8 yards. Rather than go for it on 4th and 3 down 18 with 6:51 left, the Panthers kick another field goal. Good grief.
49ers 30, Panthers 15.
3:52 On 3rd and 3 from the 49ers 44, Tevin Coleman runs for two yards, and the 49ers punt. The Panthers take over at their 10-yard line with 4:29 left.
3:57 On 3rd and 10 from the Panthers 10, Emmanuel Moseley breaks up a deep pass but goes to the ground and immediately grabs his left knee. He's still down.
3:58 Moseley is being helped off the field. He can't put much weight on his left leg. This win has come at a tremendous cost.
4:00 On 4th and 10 from the Panthers 10, Drake Jackson sacks Mayfield at the Carolina 3. First and goal for the 49ers.
4:02 On 2nd and goal from the 4, Tevin Coleman runs around the left end for a touchdown. Good thing no one else got injured on that drive.
49ers 37, Panthers 15.
4:11 The 49ers win. Stay tuned for their grades.
