By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer
Two of the league's hottest teams meet Sunday at Candlestick Park.
The 49ers have won five games in a row while the Panthers are looking to extend their four-game winning streak.
Carolina defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-10 last week for the team's fourth consecutive win.
Despite having a three game interception-free streak broken against Atlanta, Cam Newton still completed 23 of 37 attempts for 249 yards and a touchdown while adding 22 rushing yards, including an eight-yard touchdown run, on five attempts.
As has been the case throughout the year, Can Newton found receivers across the field, completing at least three passes to five different receivers with Brandon LaFell catching a team-high six while Steve Smith and tight end Greg Olsen had four receptions each.
Prior to the bye week, the 49ers took part in the NFL's International Series and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 42-10, at Wembley Stadium in London. The 49ers offense, which scored 30-or-more points for the fifth consecutive game, was led by a potent rushing attack that gained 221 yds. on the ground. RB Frank Gore and QB Colin Kaepernick each had a pair of rushing TDs, marking the first time the 49ers had a quarterback and running back each run for 2 TDs in the same game since 1961. Kaepernick also had 164 yds. and 1 TD through the air for a 117.7 passer rating and RB Kendall Hunter added a career-high 84 yds. rushing.
The 49ers stingy run defense allowed just 90 rushing yds. on 25 attempts. LB Patrick Willis forced a 4th qtr. fumble by Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis that LB Dan Skuta recovered and returned 47 yds. for a TD. It marked Skuta's first career TD and first career FR. Over their five-game winning streak, the 49ers have forced 13 turnovers and have scored off of every takeaway (9 TDs, 4 FGs).
This marks the 18th meeting between the two teams and the first since 2010.
There are more similarities between the 49ers and the Panthers than differences over the last month:
The 49ers have won five games in a row while the Panthers have won their last four
Carolina has 30 or more points in each of those games while the 49ers have scored at least 31 in five straight contests
Defensively, each team has allowed 20 points or more only once in the last five contests
Both teams rely on strong running games with San Francisco first in rushing and Carolina eighth, and strong defenses with the Panthers second in points allowed and the 49ers fourth
Both have young quarterbacks who have proven to be effective running as well as throwing and rank one-two in the NFC in third down passing
For the Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton is the catalyst of an offense that is ranked 11th in points scored and his play against the Falcons again proved pivotal as he threw and ran for at least one touchdown in a fourth straight contest.
Steve Smith and Greg Olsen are one-two for the Panthers with 36 and 34 catches, respectively, for the season. Last week it was Olsen who found the end zone for Carolina's only passing score with a 14-yard touchdown catch, but it was Smith who kept drives alive with three of his four receptions coming on third downs.
The Panthers have used a balanced offensive attack throughout the season and the ground game was there against Atlanta as DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, and Newton combined for 131 yards on the ground with no players getting more than Stewart's 43 or less than Newton's 22 yards.
"We have been doing some good things," says Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. "Now we are facing the NFC Champion and it is going to be a very big test to see where we are."
Prediction
This game should be decided at the line of scrimmage.
The 49ers are the league's best running team, averaging 153 rushing yards per game. The Panthers do a great job defending the run, allowing just 79.1 rushing yards per game.
On defense, the 49ers should be able to contain Cam Newton, in part, due to injuries on the Panthers offensive line which had been solid over the last four weeks.
In addition, the Panthers have been dominating weaker opponents.
The Carolina Panthers begin the second half of the season in a most difficult manner when they play the well-rested San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park.
Expect the 49ers to win comfortably in a low-scoring affair. If the Panthers pull off the upset, then they are indeed legitimate contenders in the NFC.
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NFL 2013 Week 10 Preview - Carolina Panthers vs San Francisco 49ers