The Panthers didn’t gain any ground on the Saints in the NFC South standings on their bye week. They did bump up a couple of spots in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings, though.
Last week, Carolina came in at No. 11. Thanks to a few notable drops by other teams like the Seahawks, Texans and Bills, they’re now up to No. 9. If they’re able to take down the undefeated 49ers this week, the rest of the NFL will have no choice but to take them seriously. Here’s Doug Farrar on the big matchup to come.
“For Rivera’s team to pull off this upset and drop the 49ers from the ranks of the undefeated, it will require more than a spot-on game from Allen. Carolina has the horses to put serious pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo, and the fronts to at least limit Kyle Shanahan’s multiple run game. If Allen can outplay Garoppolo — and that’s been easier to do than you might think this season — the Panthers have a real shot here. Carolina’s two losses came in Weeks 1 and 2 by a total of nine points. This is a team to be taken seriously.”
Indeed.
Garoppolo is nothing special and the Panthers defense is every bit as good (or at least can compete with) that of the Niners.
The x-factor that may decide this game is Allen’s play. That means he’ll need to take care of the ball, trust his receivers and give them more time to work downfield. He doesn’t need to be Superman, but if Allen can perform at the same level he did a couple weeks ago against the Buccaneers, it might be enough to pull off a win.
