Panthers vs. 49ers 2013 results: Carolina defense dominant in 10-9 win

Sunday's game between the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers was slated to be a defensive battle, and the game lived up to its billing. The sides combined for just 401 yards and a single touchdown in a 10-9 Panthers victory.

Cam Newton faced the best defense he'd seen since the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, and it showed. The recently reliable quarterback looked fazed against the stout 49ers defense and finished with only 169 yards passing and a 52.7 passer rating. Newton was helped by Carolina's running game, which combined for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Ultimately the Panthers defense was the star. It held a dangerous offense to 151 yards, while the defensive line sacked Colin Kaepernick six times.

Kaepernick's game was a mixed bag. He threw the ball fairly well when given a chance, but the pressure the Panthers were bringing forced the 49ers to lean on their run game when passing failed. Kaepernick attempted 22 passes for 91 yards, while Frank Gore became the team's focal point.

Losing tight end Vernon Davis to a concussion changed the game. Teams have succeeded in the past by attacking Carolina's linebackers in the passing game, using tight ends to put pressure on suspect safety play. This is where Atlanta found limited success in Week 9, and where San Francisco could have had success. Without Davis, the team was forced to lean too much on a suspect receiving corps and there wasn't a player who could step up and fill the void.

The San Francisco 49ers were ravaged by injuries as tight end Vernon Davis and safety Eric Reid left with concussions, while defensive tackle Ray McDonald left the game with an ankle injury.

11/17: San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints

11/18: Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots