San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
The San Francisco 49ers will be bidding for an eighth straight victory on Sunday which would send them through to their third consecutive NFC Championship game.
However, they travel to Carolina with the memory of their regular season loss firmly in their minds after quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a game to forget in the 10-9 home loss back in November.
“We owe ’em,” Kaepernick said after the win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, as he appears to be in determined mood to ensure there are no repeats when it really matters in the post season.
The Panthers ended the regular season with the same 12-4 record as their rivals, and will look to Cam Newton to lead their offensive unit to victory with home field advantage.
Nevertheless, it promises to be a tight battle as these two two go head-to-head with a clash against the Seattle Seahawks in the Championship game on offer.
Sumeet Paul: While Kaepernick is out for revenge after the horror show last time out against Carolina, the 49ers have too many key players to ignore. Crabtree, Davis, Gore and Boldin, I’m backing San Francisco to come through against Newton who will be experiencing his first playoff game. The Panthers have been solid at home, but the 49ers proved last weekend at Lambeau Field they can conquer a hostile atmosphere on the road.
Scott Hazlewood: 49ers to win by 17. They might be playing on the road by the San Francisco 49ers will be too good for Cam Newton and the Panthers. Colin Kaepernick will have a point to prove after he only had 91 yards and was sacked six times against the Panthers’ defence back on November 10 last year. And when you combine Kaepernick with the likes of Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin, I’m thinking the 49ers will get it done on the road.
San Francisco 49ers 2-0 Carolina Panthers
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