1. Dominant Defense
When we look back at the regular season in four months, there’s a decent chance the rebuilding 49ers will stand out as one of the weakest offenses the Panthers faced in 2017. But that shouldn’t discredit the good Carolina’s defense did Sunday.
The 49ers managed just three points, the fewest ever allowed by the Panthers in a season opener, thanks mostly to a salty front-seven that lived up to expectations.
Linebackers Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson each had a sack and Luke Kuechly picked off a pass.