Carolina Panthers

Roaring Recap: Panthers 46 - San Francisco 27

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

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Despite some mistakes, the Carolina Panthers extended their home winning streak on Sunday…

The Carolina Panthers returned home, initially looked dominant and then had to hang on despite winning by 19 points on Sunday. After throwing an interception on his first pass attempt, quarterback Cam Newton settled in and dominated the remainder of the game through the air. Completing 24-of-40 passes, for 353 yards and four touchdowns, the reigning league MVP set two new franchise records with his performance. Now the all-time leader in both passing touchdowns (122) and 300-plus yard games (12), Newton eclipsed the previously held records of Jake Delhomme.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball while San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) applies pressure during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina’s passing attack was benefited by the excellent play of Fozzy Whittaker, who replaced an injured Jonathan Stewart early in the contest. Whittaker rushed for 100-yards on 16 carries as Stewart did not return. However, turnovers, special teams’ miscues, and the resulting 49ers field position allowed San Francisco to remain in striking distance until the final minutes.

FIRST QUARTER: 7-3, CAROLINA

Carolina won the toss, elected to receive and was hoping to generate a fast start for the offense. However, Newton’s first pass attempt was tipped and intercepted by Antoine Bethea, giving the 49ers the ball just outside their own red zone. Fortunately, the Panthers defense held San Francisco to a field goal. The Panthers would be the beneficiaries of a fumble later in the quarter as linebacker Shaq Thompson scooped the loose football and returned it for a touchdown, the first of his NFL career.

SECOND QUARTER: 17-10, CAROLINA

Two big passing plays highlighted the second quarter of action in Carolina. The first was a 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert throw to Torrey Smith for a 28-yard strike, putting San Francisco on top, 10-7. The Panthers would respond on the very next offensive play as Newton connected with tight end Greg Olsen for a 78-yard touchdown. After exchanging punts, kicker Graham Gano added a field goal for the Panthers just before the half.

THIRD QUARTER: 31-10, CAROLINA

Scoring on the first two possessions of the second half, the Carolina Panthers appeared poised for a blowout victory. Kelvin Benjamin was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes adding to his 7-catch, 108-yard performance for the day.

FOURTH QUARTER: 46-27, CAROLINA

The blowout quickly turned to angst for Panthers fans during the fourth quarter. On a 3rd-and-2 play, Newton was sacked and fumbled which was recovered by the 49ers and set up a short field. Fortunately, the defense was able to hold and again forced a field goal as San Francisco cut into the lead 31-13. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Ted Ginn and the 49ers recovered on the 2-yard line, setting up a Gabbet rushing touchdown on the next play, 31-20.

A Panthers’ field goal would extend the lead to two scores again, but the 49ers answered two plays later as Vance McDonald hauled in a 75-yard catch and run. With just under eight minutes remaining it was a one possession game at 34-27.

At that point, both units began to execute as Carolina scored on their final three possessions, a touchdown sandwiched between two field goals. Meanwhile, the defense forced two interceptions, one by Luke Kuechly and the other an NFL first for the rookie cornerback James Bradberry.

Following the game, Newton addressed the issues of ball security and the offensive performance.

Looking ahead, star running back Adrian Peterson may be absent when the Vikings visit Bank of America Stadium as he exited Sunday night’s game and did not return. Also, Panthers’ running back Jonathan Stewart could be sidelined, forcing both teams into secondary options for a rushing attack next week.

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