The San Francisco 49ers secured a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Rams last week, propelled by the relentless effort of running back Christian McCaffrey. Despite struggling to establish a consistent run game, the 49ers improved their record to 4-1, becoming only the second team in the last 90 years to start a season with such a record without scoring a rushing touchdown in the first five weeks.
Standing at a podium post-game, McCaffrey expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “The win is the most important thing and we don’t care how we have it.” He acknowledged the team’s need to enhance their rushing performance, saying, “I think everybody and their mother wants the run game to get going a little bit more — myself included.”
McCaffrey’s individual statistics reflect the challenges faced by the team. Currently, he ranks 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards per game with an average of 56.4 yards and has only managed 3.1 yards per carry. Furthermore, only 5.5% of his 91 carries have resulted in gains of over ten yards, placing him 113th in the league for that statistic. The growing concerns over the team’s ground game have led to increased scrutiny, with many attributing the struggles to the absence of key offensive players.
As the 49ers have been missing crucial skill position players, including tight end George Kittle and receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, McCaffrey has become the focal point of opposing defenses. In fact, he has accounted for 47.6% of the team’s offensive touches this season, a rate that would be the highest for any player since 2022.
Despite the intensified defensive focus on him, McCaffrey has maintained a significant impact on the field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised McCaffrey, calling him “the best receiver at running back” he has ever seen. McCaffrey leads the league with 669 yards from scrimmage and has been a consistent performer, accumulating over 100 scrimmage yards in each of the first five games.
While McCaffrey’s rushing numbers are underwhelming, his contributions as a receiver have been stellar. He ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving yards per game with 77.4 and has recorded three receiving touchdowns—tying for the most by a running back this season. If he continues at this pace, McCaffrey could end the season with 1,316 receiving yards, potentially breaking the long-standing record for receiving yards by a running back.
The 49ers are eager for reinforcements to bolster their offensive capabilities. Kittle’s return could make a significant difference. Since his rookie year in 2017, the team has averaged 4.8 yards per carry with Kittle on the field, compared to just 4.0 yards without him. His presence not only enhances the run game but also offers versatility in offensive formations that could alleviate pressure on McCaffrey.
As the season progresses, McCaffrey has remained focused on improving the team’s performance. He emphasized that stretches of low rushing production are not uncommon, recalling his initial struggles after joining the 49ers in 2022. Despite various obstacles, he remains optimistic about the potential for a breakthrough in the run game, stating, “One more block here or forced missed tackle there could lead to the type of long gain that would instantly bolster the meager yards per carry average.”
In the recent match against the Rams, McCaffrey demonstrated his resilience by forcing 12 missed tackles, showcasing his ability to navigate tough defensive situations. His fellow teammates acknowledge the inspiration he provides, with fullback Kyle Juszczyk noting, “There were so many doubts coming into this season about how this guy can hold up after what he’s been through.”
The 49ers are poised to continue their strong start, and with key players potentially returning from injury, they hope to find more balance in their offensive strategy, allowing McCaffrey to thrive even further. As the season unfolds, the team’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be crucial in their pursuit of success.
