In a decisive Wildcard Round matchup, the San Francisco 49ers topped the Carolina Panthers 35-20, securing their place in the next round of the playoffs. The stakes were high as both teams sought to advance, but it was the 49ers who showcased their offensive firepower to ultimately take control of the game. Leading the charge for San Francisco was quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns, displaying pinpoint accuracy and poise under pressure. Running back Christian McCaffrey added a dominant performance on the ground with 126 rushing yards, while wide receiver Ricky Pearsall contributed significantly with 84 receiving yards, making key catches throughout the game. Defensively, the 49ers made crucial plays, highlighted by Jack Jones' standout performance with two interceptions that shifted momentum in favor of San Francisco. The turning point came late in the second quarter when Jones picked off a pass, setting up Purdy for a quick touchdown drive that extended their lead to two scores. Despite a valiant effort from the Panthers, including Jaelan Phillips' sack and Nick Scott's tackles, they were unable to recover from the 49ers' strong offensive and defensive execution.