San Francisco 49ers

49ers vs. Panthers: Previewing Week 2 for San Francisco

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

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The San Francisco 49ers face a tough challenge as they take to the road to battle the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Niner Noise breaks down this contest and points out who’s worth watching, X-factors and much more.

NFL: Divisional Round-San Franciso 49ers at Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers won’t have an easy task in Week 2 as they square off against the reigning NFC champions, the Carolina Panthers, on Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. ET.

San Francisco demolished the Los Angeles Rams 28-0 on Monday Night Football in Week 1. But the Niners are also traveling east on a short week to take on a well-rested Panthers team that lost 21-20 to the Denver Broncos on September 8.

The 49ers would still be facing a near impossible task trying to knock off the Panthers at home. The short week, plus travel, makes this challenge even more difficult.

Carolina is nothing like the Rams. Led by last year’s MVP, quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers offense is vastly superior to what the Niners encountered in Week 1.

And Carolina’s defense, especially the front seven, remains one of the league’s elite.

So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise the Panthers opened up as 13.5-point favorites, according to Odds Shark.

Does this mean we should rule out a San Francisco victory? Or should we simply hope for a hard-fought, close game in which the 49ers prove to the rest of the NFL world they’re better than what many perceive them to be?

Niner Noise breaks down this Week 2 bout and looks at what factors make up this contest.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev’i’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 By the Numbers

Gauging both the 49ers and Panthers after one week of NFL action doesn’t tell us the entire story.

Currently, the Niners rank No. 1 in the league on defense. That’s what happens when you give up zero points. And Carolina, who allowed 21 points in their Week 1 defeat, stand at No. 12 in this same category.

Playing the offensively challenged Rams helped skew this stat in San Francisco’s favor. But to get a better gauge on what the 49ers are capable of doing on this side of the ball, let’s go back to last season.

In 2015, the Niners ranked 18th in this same category. The Panthers ranked sixth.

The context has changed for both teams entering this season. San Francisco’s defensive front is revamped, thanks to the NFL Draft additions of defensive ends DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair. Additions within the secondary also make the 49ers a bit stronger here.

Meanwhile, Carolina’s secondary — especially after the loss of cornerback Josh Norman via free agency — is a bit younger and, perhaps, one of the few vulnerabilities the Panthers have.

But the main focus will be on both teams’ offenses.

Quarterback Cam Newton, who was held to just 194 passing yards and a 69.5 Week 1 passer rating, was again at the mercy of the Broncos defense. Denver sacked him three times on the night and forced one interception.

Meanwhile, 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert wasn’t sacked at all. The 49ers offensive line performed considerably well against a strong Rams defensive front.

Still, Gabbert’s stat line was awfully pedestrian — 22-of-35 for 170 yards and one touchdown.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi

QBs Blaine Gabbert vs. Cam Newton

Speaking of quarterback play, it’s safe to say the Panthers have the edge in the signal-caller department.

Yes, the Broncos made Newton look human — both in Super Bowl 50 and in Week 1.

Plays like this one show how swarming Newton can be so effective:

When @DeMarcusWare gets the edge …#CARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/DzOesn9wIP

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 9, 2016

Pressure will be the key for San Francisco if it wants to negate a dual threat like Newton. His passer rating dipped to 48.4 when under pressure, according to Pro Football Focus. So look for the Niners to try and apply a successful pass rush without risking his unique scrambling abilities.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert also made good use of his scrambling abilities in Week 1. He netted 43 yards on the ground, which was almost as much as Rams running back Todd Gurley in the same contest (47).

The problem is with Gabbert’s accuracy and lack of established receivers. While slot wideout Jeremy Kerley made a nice impact, Gabbert’s lackluster passing numbers can’t afford to carry over into Week 2.

San Francisco will likely feature a lot of its running game, which hopefully sets up good use of play action. This is an area in which Gabbert thrived last year, per Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus:

Blaine Gabbert had the seventh highest passer rating (112.1) last season when using play action. #49ers

— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) July 13, 2016

Next: Colin Kaepernick's Protest Continuing Its Momentum

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammate 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Kaepernick’s Protest Continuing Momentum

One of the bigger NFL storylines — one beyond just the league — is quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of social injustice and racism.

The movement has gained momentum and sparked a national discussion about race and civil rights within the country.

One of the major concerns is Kap, now a backup quarterback, has shifted the focus from the team onto himself. And this focus could easily wind up being a distraction for a 49ers team in need of anything but.

The overwhelming majority of evidence suggests otherwise, as we discussed on Niner Noise earlier.

But the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn suggested there might still be some grumbling within the Niners locker room.

It wouldn’t be that surprising. It’s difficult to get 53 players all on the same page each and every moment. Fortunately, signs are pointing to this conversation being more unifying than divisive.

At least within San Francisco’s ranks.

49ers Injury Report

The 49ers have some notable injuries heading into Week 2. Here’s the list, courtesy of the team’s website and Pro Football Reference:

The good news is each player on this list was a practice participant this week, albeit in limited fashion.

Second-year defensive end Arik Armstead missed the majority of the preseason with a shoulder injury but managed to impose his will in Week 1. The same could be said of fellow defensive lineman Quinton Dial, who graded out with a plus-82.6 (zero-to-100 scale), per Pro Football Focus last week.

Right guard Andrew Tiller suffered a minor ankle injury against the Rams but returned to action. Should he be unable to go, backup linemen Anthony Davis and Marcus Martin may be in line to step into a starting role.

Update: Davis has been ruled out for Sunday’s contest, per Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) in the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive and Defensive X-Factors for San Francisco

The 49ers will have to play near-perfect football to have any chance of upending the Panthers on Sunday.

But, if this happens, head coach Chip Kelly’s squad will have to get stellar production out of these players over the course of the game.

Left Guard Zane Beadles

Veteran left guard Zane Beadles will frequently line up against Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short, who led Carolina with 11 sacks a year ago.

Short is also stellar against the run. So if the Niners want to get running back Carlos Hyde going, Beadles’ run-blocking support will have to be top notch.

Wide Receiver Torrey Smith

49ers No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith wasn’t much of a factor in Week 1. He had just two catches for 13 yards, although he did draw a flag on one of San Francisco’s elongated drives.

But the Niners offense would be wise to open up down the field. Smith is the lone threat truly capable of doing this.

Even if it’s not always successful, the approach at least leads to possibilities underneath as the defense is forced to spread out.

EDGE Tank Carradine

Go back to the previous slide showing quarterback Cam Newton being sacked by Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Now, replace Ware with edge-rusher Tank Carradine.

If San Francisco’s defensive line is doing its job up front, Carradine should have lanes in which to rush the passer. And stopping Newton this way might be the only means to limit Carolina’s potent offense.

All of the 49ers Secondary

The Panthers have three receiving targets commanding attention — tight end Greg Olsen and wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess.

Olsen versus linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong will be a matchup to watch. But combating the 6-foot-5 Benjamin is an entirely different story. Cornerbacks Dontae Johnson (6-foot-2) and Rashard Robinson (6-foot-1) may have the best height matchup here.

And yet the 49ers might be wiser to let shorter corners, Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward, use their coverage abilities and knowledge to a better result.

At any rate, this could prove to be a vital piece of the Niners defensive puzzle.

NFL: Divisional Round-San Franciso 49ers at Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Game Information

The 49ers and Panthers kick off on Sunday, September 18, at 1 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium.

Date: Sunday, September 18th

Time: 1:00 PM ET

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Venue: Bank of America Stadium

TV Info: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Game Pass

Carolina leads the all-time series 11-8, and the Panthers clearly have the edge in this particular contest.

FOX will be covering the contest in your regional market, so check your television listings to see if you can get coverage.