NFL Week 12 Monday

Last week we got our first look at the fully healthy 49ers offense for the first time this season.

Offense looked great.

But it wasn't just last game. San Francisco's offense actually looked to be getting on track even before Purdy and Pearsall came back.

So based on the full season numbers, this looks like a close matchup on this side of the ball. But I don't believe it is. San Francisco should not have problems moving the ball in this game.

Carolina's defense has been trending in the wrong direction recently.

On top of that, the Panthers are missing both ILBs. These are the guys that are supposed to be tracking Christian McCaffrey and tackling him in the open field. Two of the team's leading tacklers... both out.

Not to mention, the Panthers haven't shown much of a pass rush this year. We just saw Tyler Shough set the Saints franchise record for most passing yards by a rookie QB.

If the Panthers can't stop Tyler Shough, how are they gonna go on the road and stop Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy?

It's supposed to be a nice night in San Francisco. I don't see any reason the 49ers offense doesn't have a very successful game.

The question comes on the other side of the ball. Can San Francisco make stops?

Carolina's missing a couple starters on the offensive line, but Robert Hunt's been out all year and they have Austin Corbett that can play center.

49ers just lost another linebacker.

It's an interesting matchup here... we know one thing the 49ers are really struggling to generate pressure. So Bryce Young should have clean pockets to throw from in this game. Here's the thing... Bryce Young hasn't been very efficient throwing the ball from a clean pocket this year. In fact, a lot of Bryce Young's big throws have come when scrambling.

Here's where it gets a bit more interesting. Wanna know what the 49ers run a ton of? Cover 3.

Now we know Carolina is not trying to go into San Francisco and drop Bryce Young back to pass 40 times. They're not trying to get in a pass-happy shootout with Bryce Young against Brock Purdy. They're gonna try to run the ball. They should have some success with it... but that Panthers run game hasn't looked nearly as sharp recently.

I don't think Carolina can keep up. I'm on San Francisco in this one but I'm not sure if I'd take it now. I got it early at -6.5. I don't hate an over.