Golden Nuggets: Bring on the Panthers

Good morning Niners Nation. Not set up on the video front yet but who cares because the San Francisco 49ers are back from a two-week hiatus today (the Jacksonville Jaguars count as a bye week) and they've got a deceptively tough matchup in the Carolina Panthers.

Personally, I'm not too sold on Carolina altogether. I don't think Ron Rivera is going to have his job as head coach for that long, but that defensive front seven is pretty solid. Might be one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL, too. Either way, I think the 49ers will be the ones who run the ball successfully and I think the offense will be good enough, as usual.

I'm thinking it's a pretty solid win by the 49ers. Onto your linkage for the day (of which there are not many).

Carolina's second-ranked run defense could be first to rely on just 7 (Branch)

What Crabtree and Manningham need to prove before they can return (BA Sports Guy)

Harbaugh: 49ers have not discussed how much Smith will play (Maiocco)

49ers' last-ranked pass offense not a concern (Inman)

49er after another Swiss Army knife? (ESPN)

Harbaugh recalls throwing passes to rookie Steve Smith ; praises Aldon Smith's week (Inman)

49ers Mailbag: Aldon Smith has long-term future with 49ers (Maiocco)

49ers' Boldin passionate about charity work (Brown)

Eric Reid, Lotulelei Among Top Defensive Rookies (49ers)

Top 10 Spotlight: 49ers vs. Panthers (49ers)