The Panthers (off last week) make their way west to San Francisco as the 49ers look to extend their winning ways in this short-lived NFC West rivalry.

The 49ers now own a 5-3 edge in the series standings and have prevailed in the last four encounters dating back to 1997.

Last season, San Francisco swept this series for the second consecutive year. In Week 10 in San Francisco, Carolina jumped out to a 13-0 second-quarter lead before since-departed 49ers QB Ty Detmer (starting for injured QB Steve Young) overcame three interceptions to throw three touchdown passes to give San Francisco a 22-16 third-quarter edge. Panthers RB William Floyd gave Carolina a 23-22 lead with just 5:43 to play, but 49ers PK Wade Richey booted a 46-yard field goal with :33 remaining to give Steve Mariucci's club a hard-earned 25-22 win (a victory preserved when Panthers' PK John Kasay came up short on a 57-yard FG attempt on the final play of the game).

Four weeks later at Ericsson Stadium (Week 14), Mariucci's team rolled to a 28-7 third-quarter lead, but Carolina answered with three straight touchdowns to eventually send the game into overtime. On the Panthers' first series in the extra session, QB Steve Beuerlein fumbled away the ball, setting up Richey's 23-yard field goal just 4:16 into OT as San Francisco salvaged a 31-28 triumph.

The Panthers are 2-2 lifetime at 3Com Park, but both losses have come in their last two visits to San Francisco.

Numbers: In his last eight games dating back to '98, Panthers RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka has carried 121 times for 743 yards (6.1 avg.) and eight touchdowns, rushing for 100 or more yards in fouir of those contests, his TD runs covering 10, 2, 5, 62, 67, 60, 1 and 45 yards. In his last two games, Biakabutuka has carried just 20 times but for 274 yards (13.7 avg.) and five touchdowns...

The Panthers have committed 81 turnovers in their last 36 games (12-24) dating back to '97, totaling 17 turnovers in 12 wins and 64 turnovers in 24 losses. They have amassed 27 takeaways in 12 wins, 30 takeaways in 24 losses dating back to '97. Carolina has allowed 134 points in 12 wins, 675 points in 24 losses dating back to '97. In 35 regular-season games with Carolina (1996, 1998-99), Panthers' OLB Kevin Greene has totaled 31.0 sacks (14.5 in '96, 15.0 in '98, 1.5 in '99). WR Muhsin Muhammad has totaled 100 or more yards receiving in three straight games. TE Wesley Walls has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games.

The 49ers have been outscored a combined 45-3 in the third quarter in five games in '99. Dating back to 1997 (including playoffs), their offense has totaled 101 touchdowns and 50 field goals in 30 wins, 14 touchdowns and 16 field goals in 11 losses. Including playoffs, the 49ers have allowed 54 sacks in their last 18 games dating back to '98. They have committed two turnovers in three wins, eight turnovers in two losses in '99.

Things To Look For: The Panthers have had some time to forget that bitter loss in Washington two weeks ago, and will no doubt be out to win one for the George, who makes his return to the Bay Area. But things have certainly changed since Seifert roamed the 49ers' sidelines as the future of QB Steve Young is very much up in the air. Steve Mariucci's club must put last week's blowout in St. Louis behind them quickly.

Etc.:Panthers head coach George Seifert faces the 49ers for the first time since leaving San Francisco following the 1996 season. Including postseason, Seifert managed a 108-35 record with the 49ers from 1989-96, including wins in Super Bowls XXIV and XXIX. The Panthers are 12-24 in their last 36 games (1997-99) after finishing 12-4 and winning the NFC West title in 1996. Including playoffs, they are 32-38 in their 70-game history (1995-99), 17-16 vs. the NFC West and 15-22 against the rest of the NFL.

The 49ers have won 19 straight regular-season home games dating back to '96. Including playoffs, they are 50-15 vs. NFC West foes since 1990 (1-1 in '99) and have won 16 of their last 19 games vs. divisional competition dating back to '97. The 49ers have not been shutout in an NFL-record 343 consecutive games. WR Jerry Rice has caught at least one pass in an NFL-record 198 straight games