Something just feels a little bit different about the Carolina Panthers here in 2025.
Perhaps it’s their 6-5 record. Not since 2018 have they been above a .500 mark this deep into a season.
Could it be their latest NFC Player of the Week nod, which belongs to quarterback Bryce Young following his masterpiece in Atlanta? Young’s selection, wildly enough, has given the Panthers more Player of the Week honorees than any other team thus far.
How about their defense? After fielding one of the worst units of all-time in 2024, Carolina has pieced together a group that has actually allowed them to win games.
Or maybe, just maybe, it’s all of it—and more.
But will the newfound success be enough to help them capture a victory in their first prime-time showcase since 2023?
Here are the NFL experts’ picks for Monday night’s matchup with the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers . . .
Panthers (0):
49ers (6): Jarrett Bell, Nick Brinkerhoff, Chris Bumbaca, Nate Davis, Tyler Dragon, Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz
Panthers (1): Daniel Jeremiah
49ers (9): Colleen Wolfe, Adam Rank, Marcas Grant, Bucky Brooks, Maurice Jones-Drew, Grant Gordon, Nick Shook, Eric Edholm, Kevin Patra
Panthers (1): Kalyn Kahler
49ers (10): Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry, Seth Wickersham
Panthers (0):
49ers (8): Pete Prisco, Cody Benjamin, Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg
Panthers (0):
49ers (2): Mike Florio, Chris Simms
Panthers (1): Gilberto Manzano
49ers (5): Claire Brennan, Mitch Goldich, Conor Orr, John Pluym, Matt Verderame
Total
Panthers: 3
49ers: 40
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