4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers vs. 49ers in Week 5
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers gain 5+ sacks
The San Francisco 49ers like to throw a lot of different looks around early and often during games on offense. This has proven to be hugely successful under Kyle Shanahan and something that poses a big problem for the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.
However, there could be a slight opening for Carolina to cause real havoc this weekend. The Niners will be without the league’s most fearsome left tackle Trent Williams due to injury, which gives Brian Burns the opportunity to bolster his numbers considerably after an impressive opening to the campaign.
Burns is looking for a mammoth payday from the Panthers next spring and is on the right path to attaining this. He is a constant menace flying off the edge and seems to be improving against the run to further enhance his status as a core foundational piece to any future achievements.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow cannot take the Niners lightly despite Williams’ absence. However, this is an area of the field he should attack heavily and Jimmy Garoppolo is nowhere near as mobile as Trey Lance under center.
San Francisco will likely deploy plenty of running plays over the first two downs, which complicates matters slightly. But if the Panthers can keep their opponents to third-and-long situations, it might be all Burns and his teammates need to capitalize.