San Francisco 49ers

49ers vs. Panthers: 5 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers travel east to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Niner Noise evaluates five matchups worth watching as the Niners try to upset the defending NFC champions.

NFL: Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 28-0 Monday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams to open up their 2016 season.

Now, the Niners face a seemingly impossible task of defeating the Carolina Panthers on the road and on a short week.

The game kicks off on Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. ET. MVP quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers haven’t played since their Week 1 loss on September 8. So Carolina should be well rested and prepared.

Still, a strong 49ers effort could give head coach Chip Kelly’s squad a chance of pulling off an incredible upset.

If this happens, look for these specific matchups to be factors in determining the outcome.

Niner Noise breaks down five matchups in which San Francisco needs to excel and win. Maybe, just maybe, such performances go the 49ers’ way and force a different outcome than what most are anticipating in Week 2.

Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the first quarter during the NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: OG Zane Beadles vs. DT Kawann Short

It all starts up front. Defenses figure to be key weapons for both teams in Week 2, and the 49ers need to win in the trenches on both sides of the ball to stand a chance.

This means left guard Zane Beadles holding off Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short.

Short led the Panthers with 11 sacks a year ago. And Pro Football Focus ranked him No. 3 out of all qualifying DTs in pass-rush productivity.

Admirably so, the Niners made Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald a non-factor in Week 1. Although he was primarily lining up opposite right guard Andrew Tiller.

San Francisco has yet to give up a sack on the young season. In order for this trend to continue, Beadles has to win his battles at the line.

Doing so against Short won’t be easy.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) on a punt return against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev’i’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: WR Jeremy Kerley vs. CB Robert McClain

Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley was quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s favorite receiving target in Week 1. Kerley posted seven receptions for 61 yards, although the Niners passing game was anything but dynamic.

That will have to change in Week 2. Carolina will likely load the box to stop No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde, which will force Gabbert to try and move the ball through the air better than what he did last Monday.

If there is a slight weakness within Carolina’s defense, it lies within its young secondary.

Yet nickel corner Robert McClain, after a four-tackle performance in Week 1, will try to ensure Kerley doesn’t have a repeat of his first game’s efforts.

“I enjoy whatever role I’m given,” McClain said, via the Panthers’ website. “I want to win football games with this team. Whether I’m taking two snaps or 50 snaps, I want to do the best I can to help the team win.”

McClain, at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, is a worthy matchup against the similarly sized Kerley.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Ray-Ray Armstrong vs. Greg Olsen

It’s not hard to figure out tight end Greg Olsen is one of quarterback Cam Newton’s favorite targets.

Last year, Olsen led all Panthers receivers with 1,104 receiving yards on 77 catches. Against the Broncos in Week 1, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end had 73 yards on 7 grabs.

Olsen is a mismatch for most teams. And Carolina’s unique attack under offensive coordinator Mike Shula opens up a slew of problems for a young 49ers defense.

But one player who might be able to keep Olsen from making a significant impact is linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong.

Armstrong finished Week 1 with three tackles and one interception.

Impressed w/Ray Ray Armstrong both in coverage&run support. He should be the starter moving forward. No splitting reps #NFL1000 #49ers

— Jerod Brown (@jerodbrown62) September 13, 2016

At 6-foot-3, Armstrong doesn’t lose a lot in the height matchup. And his experience as a safety also helps with coverage skills.

Expect those to be on display against Olsen.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: 49ers Secondary vs. WR Kelvin Benjamin

The Panthers couldn’t be happier wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is back in action after missing all of 2015.

And the third-year pro certainly made a Week 1 impact with six grabs for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Covering the 6-foot-5, 245-pound wideout won’t be an easy task. Will defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil employ starting corners Tramaine Brock or Jimmie Ward — both who are under 6-foot tall — based on their experience and coverage skills?

Or will O’Neil gamble with a taller corner like Dontae Johnson (6-foot-2) or rookie Rashard Robinson (6-foot-1) and hope the height matchup offsets any inexperience worries?

It’s also possible O’Neil dials up coverage schemes placing one of the three 49ers safeties — Eric Reid, Antoine Bethea or Jaquiski Tartt — in dual coverage on Benjamin. This would force quarterback Cam Newton to lock onto one of his other favorite receivers — tight end Greg Olsen or second-year wideout Devin Funchess.

Whatever the approach may be, look for this to be a major deciding factor in the game.

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) gets sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: EDGE Tank Carradine vs. LT Michael Oher

The best way to slow quarterback Cam Newton down is to get pressure on him and don’t allow him to escape the pocket.

Denver has done this well in back-to-back contests against the Panthers. But it’s easier said than done. And the 49ers defense is nowhere close to where the Broncos are right now.

If there is a vulnerability, it might come on the left side of Carolina’s offensive line.

This means left tackle Michael Oher squaring off against 49ers edge-rusher Tank Carradine.

Carradine impressed during the preseason, but he was held to just one tackle in Week 1. Fortunately, the Niners were able to generate pressure on Rams quarterback Case Keenum from elsewhere.

But it would be wise for San Francisco’s defense to exploit this as much as possible.