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On Oct. 20, 2022, the Carolina Panthers sent All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for four draft picks. Over three years later, McCaffrey is finally set to face his former team.
The Panthers will travel to face the 49ers on “Monday Night Football” to close out Week 12 in a game that will quietly have significant NFC wild card implications. Carolina is in the midst of its most successful season in years, entering Week 12 at 6-5 and with its chances in the NFC South still alive. The 49ers, meanwhile, have struggled through injuries, but are still in the thick of the playoff race.
Running backs will be center stage for Monday’s matchup — not only is McCaffrey’s first game against the Panthers since the 2022 blockbuster trade a key storyline, but he’s also ranked among the NFL leaders in receptions (74) and total touchdowns (11). On the other side of things, Rico Dowdle has led the Panthers’ offensive resurgence in 2025, with over 800 rushing yards through 11 games.
The winner of Monday night’s 49ers-Panthers game will further factor into the NFC playoff race. Can Bryce Young and the Panthers win on the road, or will Brock Purdy and the 49ers keep up in the NFC West?
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights as the 49ers and Panthers meet on Monday night, closing out Week 12 of the NFL season. Follow along with the action below.
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49ers vs. Panthers live updates, highlights from Week 12 ‘Monday Night Football’ game
7:51 p.m.: Tonight’s matchup features one quarterback who was selected with the first pick in the NFL Draft and one selected with the last.
Are you ready for some football?
CARvsSF– 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/mREDwogPCK
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2025
Young and Purdy now both look for a huge win on Monday Night Football.
7:35 p.m.: Last time out, Bryce Young had a career-high 448 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Bryce 🤝 MNF@Ticketmaster | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/b9P51qd780
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 25, 2025
The former No. 1 overall pick is in a pivotal year three, with the Panthers inching towards a playoff berth.
7:18 p.m.: Kickoff is less than an hour away.
Special cleats for Brock Purdy on Monday Night Football. #MyCauseCleats
Learn more about @brockpurdy13’s cause and donate here: https://t.co/gDJ0BIUpxG pic.twitter.com/vW424FB9BI
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
Both the 49ers (7-4) and Panthers (6-5) look to get a huge mid-November win.
7:03 p.m.: Brock Purdy will make his second consecutive start tonight after missing multiple weeks with an injury.
Brock rolled in rocking his cause on his car. My Cause My Car 🚗@Toyota | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/xjym0wkLLB
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2025
In a win against the Arizona Cardinals, Purdy had 200 yards and three touchdowns.
6:42 p.m.: With a win tonight, Carolina will take sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
All eyes on us @Ticketmaster | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/FQMl1drAIh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 24, 2025
The Panthers will also jump San Francisco in the NFC conference standings.
5:21 p.m.: Christian McCaffrey is on-site ahead of the first matchup vs. his former team.
CMC means business 👔@LEVIS | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/czwF0MwyJQ
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2025
McCaffrey set Panthers franchise records for most scrimmage yards in a single season, most receptions in a single season, career receptions and receiving yards. He also set NFL single-season records, becoming the third player in NFL history to have a 1,000/1,000 season (in 2019), set the NFL record for receptions by a running back with 116 in 2019 and was the fastest ever to 3,000 rushing and receiving yards, reaching the feat in 57 games.
5:19 p.m.: The Panthers are breaking out a new uniform combination for tonight’s primetime matchup.
New fit unlocked 🔓 pic.twitter.com/Z3B1BNmDRy
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 24, 2025
Carolina will wear its alternate black helmets and black pants with its white road uniforms.
MORE NFL WEEK 12:
Where to watch 49ers vs. Panthers49ers vs. Panthers start timeDate: Monday, Nov. 24Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The 49ers and Panthers will kick off Week 12’s edition of “Monday Night Football” at 8:15 p.m. ET.
The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
MORE: Rams, Cowboys rise in Week 12 NFL power rankings
What channel is 49ers vs. Panthers on today?
The “Monday Night Football” matchup between San Francisco and Carolina will air nationally on ESPN.
Fans can stream “Monday Night Football” through the ESPN app. You can also live stream the game through Fubo, which carries ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 in its channel lineup, and is currently offering a free trial.
49ers 2025 schedule
Here’s the rest of San Francisco’s 2025 schedule.
DateOpponentTime (EST)Sun., Nov 30at Browns1 p.m.Sun., Dec. 14 vs. Titans4:25 p.m.Mon., Dec. 22at Colts8:15 p.m.Sun., Dec. 28vs. Bears8:20 p.m.TBDvs. SeahawksTBDPanthers 2025 schedule
Here’s the rest of Carolina’s 2025 schedule.
DateOpponentTime (EST)Sun., Nov 30vs. Rams1 p.m.Sun., Dec. 14 at Saints4:25 p.m.Sun., Dec. 21vs. Buccaneers1 p.m.TBDvs. SeahawksTBDTBDat BuccaneersTBD