49ers vs. Panthers: A prospector's guide

It’s almost game day! Normally Wednesday is the day I posted the prospector’s guide. I forgot about this week as I was traveling up to Boston for some Red Sox games with my dad. I’m back in DC and ready for some 49ers football, so why not get out the prospector’s guide?

The 49ers enter this week as heavy underdogs, but a strong Week 1 showing has them atop many statistical categories. Football Outsiders released their Week 1 DVOA ratings, and the 49ers ranked No. 1 overall. They ranked No. 1 on defense, No. 17 on offense, and No. 22 on special teams. Considering what we saw last Monday, that shouldn’t be too surprising.

DVOA ratings after one week don’t tell us much, but I do like checking out their DAVE ratings early in the season. And no, it’s not just because of the name! The DAVE rating combines their preseason projection with current DVOA to get a better handle of how the team will play the rest of the season. The preseason projection makes up 90 percent of the DAVE rating. It is no surprise then that the 49ers rank No. 25 in DAVE. I expect less change with DAVE and more change with DVOA after Sunday’s game. I’m hoping otherwise, but I’m not holding my breath.

See you Sunday morning!

Matchups: 19
Series Record: Panthers lead series 11-8
49ers Away Record vs. Panthers: Series is tied 5-5
First Meeting: 11/5/95, Panthers win 13-7, at SF
Last Meeting: 1/12/14, 49ers win 23-10, at Car. (NFC - D)
Current Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 4 (9/29/97 – 12/6/98)
Longest Panthers Win Streak: 4 (10/17/99 – 10/22/00)
Most 49ers Points: 34 (9/29/97): 49ers win 34-21, at Car.
Most Panthers Points: 41 (12/18/99): Panthers win 41-24, at Car.
49ers Shutouts: None
Panthers Shutouts: None

LB NaVORRO BOWMAN

• During the 2013 postseason, registered 14 tackles and 1 sack in the 49ers 23-10 win at Car. (1/12/14) (NFC - D), taking down Panthers QB Cam Newton for an 8-yd. loss.

CB TRAMAINE BROCK

• Recorded 2 tackles, 1 PD and 1 INT vs. Car. (11/10/13), intercepting Panthers QB Cam Newton for a career-long 41-yd. INT return.

LB AHMAD BROOKS

• In four career games against the Panthers, has totaled 29 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 2 PDs.
• Notched 6 tackles and 2.0 sacks of QB Cam Newton vs. Car. (11/10/13).
• Recorded playoff career highs with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks at Car. (1/12/14) (NFC-D). His 2.5 sacks against the Panthers gave him 6.5 career playoff sacks as a member of the 49ers, moving him into a tie for second place in franchise history (DE Dwaine Board and LB Tim Harris).

K PHIL DAWSON

• Successfully converted all 3 FGAs (49, 33, 34) and both PATs as he tied a playoff career high with 11 points at Car. (1/12/14) (NFC - D).