NFL expert picks for Panthers vs. 49ers in Week 12

Something just feels a little bit different about the Carolina Panthers here in 2025.

Perhaps it's their 6-5 record. Not since 2018 have they been above a .500 mark this deep into a season.

Could it be their latest NFC Player of the Week nod, which belongs to quarterback Bryce Young following his masterpiece in Atlanta? Young's selection, wildly enough, has given the Panthers more Player of the Week honorees than any other team thus far.

How about their defense? After fielding one of the worst units of all-time in 2024, Carolina has pieced together a group that has actually allowed them to win games.

Or maybe, just maybe, it's all of it—and more.

But will the newfound success be enough to help them capture a victory in their first prime-time showcase since 2023?

Here are the NFL experts' picks for Monday night's matchup with the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers . . .

USA Today Sports

Panthers (0):

49ers (6): Jarrett Bell, Nick Brinkerhoff, Chris Bumbaca, Nate Davis, Tyler Dragon, Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz

NFL Media

Panthers (1): Daniel Jeremiah

49ers (9): Colleen Wolfe, Adam Rank, Marcas Grant, Bucky Brooks, Maurice Jones-Drew, Grant Gordon, Nick Shook, Eric Edholm, Kevin Patra

ESPN

Panthers (1): Kalyn Kahler

49ers (10): Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry, Seth Wickersham

CBS Sports

Panthers (0):

49ers (8): Pete Prisco, Cody Benjamin, Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg

Pro Football Talk

Panthers (0):

49ers (2): Mike Florio, Chris Simms

Sports Illustrated

Panthers (1): Gilberto Manzano

49ers (5): Claire Brennan, Mitch Goldich, Conor Orr, John Pluym, Matt Verderame

Total

Panthers: 3

49ers: 40

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers vs. 49ers 2025: NFL expert picks for Week 12