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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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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Kyle Allen of Carolina Panthers in action 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: Kyle Allen of Carolina Panthers in action 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) /

Kyle Allen must keep drives alive

As aforementioned, the 49ers’ defense is one of the best in the NFL. Expect San Francisco to key on stopping the most dangerous player on the Panthers’ offense, running back Christian McCaffrey.

While completely shutting down McCaffrey is highly unlikely, the 49ers have the defensive talent to slow him down. This puts more pressure on Allen and the rest of the Carolina offense.

This game could come down to converting on third downs. If Allen can keep drives alive, then he might just put the Panthers in a position to edge the 49ers.

The 49ers are not a high scoring team, so the Panthers don’t have to be perfect on offense to get the win. Simply keeping drives alive and winning the time of possession battle could be enough to swing the score in Carolina’s favor.

A lot of the pressure will fall on Allen’s shoulders so the Panthers will need a receiver to step up and make the clutch catches. Wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel have done a great job of showing up for Allen when he targets them.

Keeping drives alive on third downs is a major key for a Carolina victory.

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