CHARLOTTE — Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, Emmanuel Moseley returned an interception 41 yards for a goal and the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers 37-15 on Sunday for their first road win of the season.
Jeff Wilson rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown and Tevin Coleman scored two goals for the 49ers (3-2) after being added to the active roster this week.
Christian McCaffrey had 104 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown for the Panthers, who fell to 1-4 and 11-27 under embattled coach Matt Rhule during the season.
The San Francisco defense has allowed an NFL-best 37 points in four games and has now held all five opponents to less than 20.
The 49ers confused Baker Mayfield all day despite losing top pass rusher Nick Bosa to a groin injury. Mayfield completed 20 of 36 passes for 215 yards and has had as many interceptions (four) as touchdown passes since arriving in Carolina.
Tevin Coleman, who had four touchdowns for the 49ers in a 51-13 win over Carolina in 2019, was a big factor early on. He hit in a 9-yard screenplay before passing a Carolina defender for a 30-yard reception, resulting in a 49-yard field goal from Robbie Gould.
Trailing 10-3 late in the second quarter, the Panthers appeared to be gaining some life after Yetur blocked Gross-Matos from Gould’s field goal attempt.
But the game turned on ensuing possession when Mayfield McCaffrey tumbled badly and Moseley got on his knees to make the interception, got up and raced into the end zone to give the 49ers a 17-3 lead with 55 seconds remaining in the first half.
Carolina made it 17-9 on a pitchout on a 19-yard TD run by McCaffrey, but the 49ers responded with a 4-yard touchdown pass by Garoppolo to Deebo Samuel and a 1-yard TD run by Wilson to end the game.
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