For the first time in his career, Christian McCaffrey will get a chance to play against the team that drafted him.
McCaffrey's San Francisco 49ers are playing host to the Carolina Panthers on "Monday Night Football" to close Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.
The 49ers (7-4) are coming off a resounding 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. However, they enter their "MNF" game sitting in third place in the NFC West, behind the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-2) and the defensive juggernaut Seattle Seahawks (8-3).
That will make Monday's game critical for San Francisco as it looks to remain in the divisional race and cling to a berth in the crowded NFC wild-card race.
The Panthers (6-5) are also facing an opportunity to improve their playoff standing in Week 12. With a win or a tie, they can leapfrog the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who lost 34-7 against the Rams on "Sunday Night Football" – atop the NFC South standings.
