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Carolina Panthers Week 8 keys to victory vs. San Francisco 49ers

By Josh Altorfer

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Christian McCaffrey speaks with Kyle Allen of Carolina Panthers during the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Christian McCaffrey speaks with Kyle Allen of Carolina Panthers during the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates his sack in the second quarter during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Brian Burns #53 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates his sack in the second quarter during their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Apply Pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has led San Francisco to six straight wins to start the season, but he has not had an impressive stat line doing so. He has thrown seven touchdowns and six interceptions thus far giving him a QB rating of 59.2.

The 49ers will likely be without All-Pro left tackle Joe Staley in the contest. This leaves the 49ers vulnerable to the Carolina pass-rush.

San Francisco has an elite defense that ranks second in the league in total yards and points allowed per game. This puts pressure on the Panthers’ defense as they will likely have to make some game-changing plays in order to fly out of California with a victory.

The easiest way to do that is to get Garoppolo to turn the football over. If the Panthers can apply consistent pressure, then they might be able to force the quarterback into making some poor decisions.

As of writing this, defensive end Brian Burns is questionable for the Week 8 matchup. It would be a significant loss if Burns can’t go, but the Panthers should be able to apply pressure with or without him.

Carolina’s defensive tackles Mario Addison and Gerald McCoy will have to get to Garoppolo early and often to rattle him.

Forcing Garoppolo to turn the football over is a major key to a Carolina victory.

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