PANTHERS VS. 49ERS
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, LEVI’S STADIUM, SANTA CLARA, CALIF. uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 716
Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager
A healthy, happy, productive was named league MVP in 2015 and became the perfect complement to a top-10 defense, resulting in a 15-1 record and berth in Super Bowl 50. Last season, QB Newton struggled to stay healthy, the defense broke down, and the Panthers bottomed out at 6-10. Newton’s partially torn right rotator cuff was repaired in March, and coach and team officials spent their first two picks on college playmakers in RB and WR
Newton has help as the Panthers seek redemption.
About the 49ers: The once-perennial playoff franchise is in a rebuild mode after a 2-14 year but appears to be trending upward under rookie coach and firstyear general manager Two first-round picks — DE and LB — should bolster a solid front seven that features DTs and and LBs
and Two primary concerns: Can the back end on defense hold up vs. the pass, and will journeyman QB generate enough points? He’ll have RB and WRs
and in Shanahan’s run-oriented outside zone-blocking scheme and pre-snap motion passing game.
Matchup to watch: Panthers RDE Mario Addison vs. 49ers LT Joe Staley. Playing with tough DEs Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson, Addison led the team with Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey will also be a slot receiver and return punts.
91⁄ sacks in 2016. Staley, a five-time Pro Bowler, left the third preseason game after aggravating an old knee issue but is expected to start. It will be critical for Staley to protect Hoyer’s blind side.
The training camp hyperbole is over, and the Panthers are ready to unveil their versatile rookie from Stanford, the eighth overall draft pick. He’ll shift between running back and slot receiver
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
as well as return punts.
Days between Carolina’s last visit to Levi’s Stadium, site of the Panthers’ 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, and this game.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Durability: The next hit Newton takes will be his first live hit since the end of the 2016 season. He threw two uncontested passes in one preseason game, took 10 game snaps total and essentially was limited in practice during training camp.
2. Slam Cam: Opposing defenses have been successful vs. Carolina when they hit Newman early and often. Getting Newton out of his comfort zone will be a challenge for the 49ers’ pass rush. Look for Newton to get the ball out of his hands quickly and into the hands of his playmakers.
With departure to Buffalo, the Panthers’ defense is being run by the team’s assistant head coach since 2015 and secondary coach since 2012. Carolina’s run of four consecutive top-10 defensive campaigns ended last season, in part because a young, unproven secondary couldn’t overcome the unexpected departure of CB Josh Norman to Washington.
Hoyer posted a 7-6 record as a starter at Cleveland in 2014 with Shanahan serving as the Browns’ offensive coordinator. So, Hoyer’s familiarity with the QB-friendly offensive system should serve him well going forward.
Brian Allee-Walsh