There aren’t many teams in the NFC as hot as the 49ers. The Carolina Panthers, San Francisco’s Week 8 opponent, are one of them, having won their last four contests. The 49ers are favored at home by 5.5 points over Carolina, according to BetMGM.

This feels like a good number. The 49ers’ defense should be able to rattle Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, who’s undefeated in five NFL starts. On the other hand, Carolina running back and MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey is talented enough to take advantage of a 49ers run defense that’s been shoddy at times the last couple weeks.

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Stopping McCaffrey is going to be the key to slowing Carolina’s offense this season, but that’s been much easier said than done to this point.

A 5.5-point line means the 49ers are getting three points for being the home team, then 2.5 more points on top of that. The 49ers do seem like the better team, but the Panthers continue to scratch and claw and find ways to win.

Perhaps the biggest key for the 49ers covering will be whether they can get back in front if the Panthers get on the board first, or get any kind of early lead. San Francisco hasn’t had to battle back much this year, and an early Panthers score or two that throws the 49ers out of their formula would be a huge test the 49ers haven’t faced yet this year.

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On the other hand, 5.5 points may not be quite enough. If San Francisco gets up by a touchdown or more, they’re in a position to eliminate most of the run game, which is part of what makes McCaffrey dangerous. It also allows the defense to pin their ears back and get after the second-year signal caller.

If the 49ers find their offense, this game is probably a wrap and 5.5 points won’t be close to enough. However, if they continue to struggle on that side of the ball, that 5.5 points could be in jeopardy very, very early.