Steve Smith: 'We're ready for San Francisco 49ers challenge'

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is confident that his side are up to the task of facing the San Francisco 49ers given their recent form.

Ron Rivera's side have won their last four matches to leave them just one game behind the New Orleans Saints in the race for the NFC South title.

Smith told TheMMQB.com: "I think this team is ready to play a game like this. The intensity of it will be good for some of our young players. It'll wake some of them up.

"I think it'll be a chippy game, which is in my element. Good old-fashioned football."

The Panthers are 5-3 in their season going into week 10.