Good morning! The San Francisco 49ers dropped to 1-1 on the season on Sunday, losing 46-27 to the Carolina Panthers. The road loss was expected, but the way it all went down was a mix of expected and kind of surprising. The team got off to a solid start, leading for short stretches, and only trailing 17-10 at halftime. However, the wheels fell off for much of the third quarter. The offense could get nothing going, and the defense looked gasses, as they fell behind 31-10.
Of course, next thing you know, a pair of turnovers cut the lead to 31-20, and the 49ers eventually cut the lead to 34-27 in the fourth quarter. The defense struggled again, and Blaine Gabbert threw a pair of interceptions. That was that, and the 49ers were officially 1-1.
The team turns around and heads north to Seattle later this week to face the Seahawks. The 49ers have struggled up in Seattle. The Seahawks are coming off an ugly win over the Miami Dolphins and an uglier loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but the 49ers face a tall task. The offense needs to get something going, and the 49ers pass rush will be critical. Russell Wilson is dealing with what is being reported as a high ankle sprain. The 49ers need to keep him hurried and feeling the ankle. If that happens, they might be able to make this one interesting.
On to the links!
Recap
49ers report card: Gabbert only OK, ground game missing (Barrows)
49ers routed by Carolina Panthers (Inman)
49ers blasted by Panthers, 46-27, despite making it close late (Biderman)
Instant Replay: Panthers' Benjamin, Olsen punish 49ers (Maiocco)
What We Learned: Panthers 46 - 49ers 27 (49ers.com)
49ers 27, Panthers 46: Grades (Cohn)
Offensive woes
49ers' offense sputters in loss to Panthers: 'Unacceptable' (Maiocco)
49ers notes: Hyde terms performance ‘unacceptable’ (Branch)
Blaine Gabbert uninspiring, clock ticking on his starting job (Jones)
49ers' offense looks all-too familiar in loss to Panthers (Wagoner)
Video
Chip Kelly post-game press conference
Blaine Gabbert post-game press conference
NaVorro Bowman post-game press conference
Blaine Gabbert Runs in for 1-yard Touchdown
Eli Harold Recovers Cam Newton Fumble
Vance McDonald Scores on 75-yard Touchdown
Blaine Gabbert Runs in for 1-yard Touchdown
National Anthem
Four 49ers join Kaepernick, Reid in protest (Maiocco)
49ers’ Robinson, Tartt join anthem protest (Barrows)
49ers Colin Kaepernick, others continue national-anthem protest in North Carolina (Inman)