Rhule fiery in Carolina Panthers 37-15 loss to San Francisco 49ers in front of disgruntled fans
By Joby Smith
The Carolina Panthers came into NFL Week 5 facing a tough NFC West foe in the San Francisco 49ers, hoping to close out a three game home stand with their second win of the season.
San Francisco wasted little time getting on the board during their first possession of the game. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Tevin Coleman from 9 yards out going up 7-0 on a 7 play 75 yard scoring drive.
The Panthers defense rose up later in the first quarter when Damien Wilson forced a fumble by George Kittle that was recovered by Yetur Gross-Matos but they were unable to convert into points when Eddy Pineiro missed a 41 yard field goal.
Brian Burns came up with a six yard sack for Carolina but Robbie Gould added 3 more points with a 49 yard field that capped an 8 play 38 yard drive for San Francisco’s 10-0 shutout.
Baker Mayfield determined to get the air attack going went up top to Robbie Anderson for 32 yards and the Panthers got on the board with Eddy Pineiro’s 43 yard field goal with 7:59 left in the half.
Nick Bosa and the 49er defense clamped down on Mayfield. Carolina stiffened up when Gould attempted a 43 yard field goal and Gross-Matos blocked it enabling Shaq Thompson recovered on the 22 yard line.
Right before the half, Mayfield overthrew McCaffrey and Emmanuel Mosley came up with the big pick six for a 17-3 halftime lead. Carolina’s offense just one for seven in 3rd down efficiency for the half.
Mayfield and the Panthers offense started fast in the 3rd quarter. McCaffrey capped a 7 play 51 yard drive on a 19 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion failed however and it was 17-9 San Francisco.
The 49ers kept pulling away in the 3rd quarter and handed Matt Rhule’s troops a 1-4 record heading into week six on the road in Los Angeles.
