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Carolina Panthers: The Five Best Rivalries 3.0

By John Woodcock

Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. San Francisco 49ers

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Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) and outside linebacker Chase Blackburn (93) during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Series Record: 12-7

Key Panthers Win: 1995

13. 87. Final. 7. 42

When the Panthers entered the League, the two powers in the NFC were the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were the team of the 80s, looking to extend things through Steve Young. Dallas was the team of the 90s who had to fight through the 49ers to reach their success.

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By joining the NFC West, the Carolina Panthers got to look at the 49ers twice a year. Any team success for the Panthers meant beating the 49ers, and that was not easy.

The Panthers made their mark quickly, beating the 49ers in 1995 and sweeping them in 1996 to win the division crown. Then things fizzled, but the rivalry remained important when the Panthers hired George Seifert as their second coach.

These days the 49ers, like the Rams, are generally far away. However the two games in the 2013-14 season were hotly contested. It seemed like a throwback although the styles of football were far different from the teams of the nineties.

I still feel that Tim McKyer‘s interception win in 1995 was the biggest win of the series for the Panthers. It was the first year for the team and showed the Panthers did belong in the division and the league.

Next: Number 3

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