The San Francisco 49ers got a big win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday, using a stellar defensive performance to win 20-9 and improve to 8-4 on the season.

Safety Ji’Ayir Brown was the star of the day, recording two clutch interceptions, including one in the end zone. Brown had seen his snap count and tackle numbers increase over the past few weeks, but the ball-hawking numbers hadn’t been there this year.

But on Monday, he was able to intercept Bryce Young twice, which helped him earn the NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Is Brown experiencing a breakthrough moment after a couple of years of up-and-down play?

“He has played like this before, so I don’t want to say like he’s just overall improving,” Shanahan said of Brown. “I thought he played at a high level when he came in

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