The Charlotte 49ers have had a rocky start to their 2024 campaign, currently sitting at 2-3. Their offense, averaging only 17.8 points per game, has struggled to find its identity. Quarterback Deshawn Purdie has shown moments of brilliance but has been hindered by a lack of support from the rushing attack, which ranks among the worst in the FBS at just 79.4 yards per game. Charlotte’s biggest issue has been its defense, which is giving up 33.2 points per game. They have been vulnerable both against the pass and the run, allowing over 466 yards per game to opposing offenses. This trend has made it difficult for the 49ers to stay competitive against teams with balanced offensive schemes. In their last game against Rice, the 49ers narrowly escaped with a 21-20 win, thanks to a strong second-half showing by the defense, but the overall inconsistency remains a concern. For Charlotte to have a chance against East Carolina, they need to improve their third-down efficiency and reduce turnovers. They are converting only 29.6% of their third downs, which puts pressure on their defense to constantly respond to short fields and quick drives from the opposition. The 49ers will need a complete performance on both sides of the ball to keep this game within reach .