Steve Smith: 'San Francisco 49ers win will boost us'

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has expressed his belief that their win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday will give his side an extra boost for the rest of the season.

The win was the Panthers' fifth in a row and finally put to bed claims that they could not beat the best teams in the league as they ran out narrow 10-9 victors over the reigning NFC champions.

"I don't think it really bothers us, it gives us the opportunity to step up to the challenge. We did," Smith told The AP.

"A win like this can boost us, a win like this can continue to give us life throughout the season, and make us feel like we're working for something, and we are."

The result leaves the Panthers second in the NFC South with a 6-3 record ahead of next Monday's match against the New England Patriots.