SANTA CLARA, Calif. – For a team that is priding on itself on rebuilding a physical identity, the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty.
Defensively, the Panthers produced a goal line stand with the 49ers looking to reach the end zone for the first time.
Offensively, with the ensuing possession beginning at the 1-yard line, the Panthers ran through the 49ers to salt away the 23-3 victory.
"That's how you play physical football!" Rivera told his team moments after the win in the locker room.
Rivera was particularly excited about that closing drive that churned off the final 8:48 on the clock.
"That's what we're supposed to do," said running back Jonathan Stewart, who had 65 of Carolina's 116 rushing yards. "Whenever you can run the ball when everyone knows you are going to run it – that says a lot about your team. It's a physical group of guys."
On first-and-10 from the 1, Stewart ran behind left tackle Matt Kalil, who worked to the second level to give Stewart room to gain five yards and much-needed breathing room.
The next three plays: Stewart run for 8, Stewart run for 4, Stewart run for 6. A punishing sequence with the 49ers dedicating all their attention to stopping the run.
"We just kept pounding, kept pounding, and ultimately, that's what this game is about," guard Trai Turner said. "We imposed our will."
The Panthers ran the ball seven more times before the two-minute warning. After that, quarterback Cam Newton kneeled three times to run out the clock.
"We finished with the ball, lined up in '22 Victory,' and that's a great feeling. No better feeling in the world," guard Andrew Norwell said. "That's what we wanted. We executed. We finished strong."
The O-line can also be proud of what they accomplished in pass protection, which was a major point of emphasis throughout the offseason after Rivera and Co. saw Newton take too many punishing hits in 2016.
"We want to keep him clean and comfortable back there," Turner said.
Well, Newton wasn't sacked against the 49ers.
"Zero sacks – it's good to start that way," said Kalil, the big free-agent left tackle acquired to help keep Newton upright.
A confidence-building performance to be sure.
"I thought our offensive line did an outstanding job protecting the quarterback and handling things up front when we ran the ball," Rivera said. "It's about building confidence and we talk about Cam getting his confidence back and having the confidence in his guys. That's big."
View photos from Carolina's victory over San Francisco to open the regular season.
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) runs past San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (11) cannot catch a pass as he is defended by Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, top, catches a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns an interception against San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, left, and outside linebacker Thomas Davis during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera gestures during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Panthers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garcon (15) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry, left, and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with fans after the Panthers beat the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas, left, greets Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey after the Panthers beat the 49ers in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
