While it was not pretty on Monday Night Football, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers came away with a 20-9 victory over Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers.
Purdy threw three interceptions in the first half, but mainly stuck with high-percentage throws in the second half. He finished going 23-of-32 passing for 193 yards, one touchdown, and those three interceptions. 49ers tight end George Kittle had a good game as he had six catches for 78 yards.
What Are the 49ers’ Playoff Chances After Win on MNF?
With the victory, what are the NFL playoff chances looking like for the 49ers? They are now 8-4 overall on the season and are currently the seventh seed in the NFC.
According to the PFSN NFL TE Impact metrics, Kittle entered Monday night’s game with an impact score of 81.8 and a grade of B-. Those numbers probably will improve a little bit after Kittle’s game against Carolina. He didn’t score a touchdown, but remained active when Purdy was looking downfield during the game.
Cat’s out the bag 😏 pic.twitter.com/7fRJtgCJyV
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 25, 2025
Purdy might have been in danger of getting pulled in the first half with his three interceptions. 49ers fans were online, clamoring for him to be benched in favor of backup quarterback Mac Jones, who started while Purdy was out injured. But Purdy showed marked improvement in the second half and finished the game.
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the 49ers currently have an 85.4% chance to make the playoffs, and a 10.4% chance to win the division. San Francisco’s chances to win the Super Bowl are now at 0.7%.
Kittle was caught on camera in the 49ers’ locker room after the game, giving his QB1 props for his play. The 49ers have also improved their defense this season, under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is in his second stint with the team.
The 49ers finished with 340 yards of total offense compared to Carolina’s 230. San Francisco also outgained the Panthers on the ground, rushing for a team total of 147 against Carolina’s 69 rushing yards. Rico Dowdle, Carolina’s star running back, only had six carries for 38 yards to go along with four receptions for 36 yards.
Still, San Francisco was able to secure the victory under the bright lights of a national television audience. The 49ers hit the road on Sunday, though, going to Cleveland, where San Francisco will look to keep Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in check. That will be another test for the 49ers’ defense, too.
