NFL: Panthers rally for first win, 23-20 over 49ers

"When you have a drop like that with the circumstances, you could easily go in the tank," Smith said of Gettis. "He didn't."

Frank Gore rushed for 102 yards for San Francisco, which hasn't won a non-divisional road game since Nov. 30 at Buffalo. Carr's miserable 5 of 13 performance for 67 yards didn't help.

The 49ers, who had 11 penalties, had to shuffle their offensive line when Adam Snyder replaced Chilo Rachal (stinger) in the first quarter. Left tackle Joe Staley left briefly with the same injury, and San Francisco managed just 282 yards.

But just like owner Jed York's bold claim after the NFC West favorites started 0-5, coach Mike Singletary still thinks they can become the first club to start this poorly and play in the postseason.

"There's no doubt in my mind that somehow, someway, we will regroup and keep fighting," Singletary said. "We're going to make a season of it, and I still believe we can go to the playoffs. I still believe we can get those things done."

Notes: Kasay kicked a 55-yard field goal, the 40th of 50 or more yards in his career. ... It's the third straight year a team has played Carolina before going to London. ... 49ers LB Patrick Willis had a team-best 11 tackles.