SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Christian McCaffrey delivered a stunning all-round performance on Sunday night, helping the San Francisco 49ers overpower the Atlanta Falcons 20–10 at Levi’s Stadium. The victory lifted the 49ers to a 5–2 record, cementing their reputation as one of the NFC’s toughest teams.
A Night Planned Around McCaffrey
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had made it clear before kick-off that he wanted his team to dominate the ground game. On Saturday, he challenged the 49ers to record 40 rushing attempts — a mark that would reflect total control at the line of scrimmage.
Tight end George Kittle, who returned from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games, added a personal twist to that challenge.
“Every Saturday night, our tight end coach asks us to set goals,” Kittle said. “Mine this week was simple — make CMC [Christian McCaffrey] the NFC Player of the Week. I think I called it perfectly.”
McCaffrey’s Record-Breaking Performance
McCaffrey didn’t disappoint. The 28-year-old running back recorded 201 scrimmage yards — his most in a 49ers uniform — contributing two touchdowns and accounting for 62% of San Francisco’s total offence.
His stats for the night:
129 rushing yards on 24 carries
72 receiving yards from 7 catches
Two rushing touchdowns, including a game-sealing 4-yard run
The 49ers ended the night with 174 rushing yards on 39 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry — their highest of the season.
Shanahan was full of praise, saying,
“He’s the most consistent player I’ve been around. He gets every yard and more — both on the ground and through the air.”
Breaking Franchise and NFL Records
McCaffrey’s outstanding display added several records to his already impressive resume:
Sixth game this season with 50+ rushing and 50+ receiving yards — the most by any NFL player through seven games.
Ninth career game with 100+ rushing and 50+ receiving yards, tying legends Jim Brown and Priest Holmes for third all-time.
Joined Roger Craig (1988) as the only 49ers player to begin a season with seven straight games of 100+ scrimmage yards.
He now leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (981) and is tied for fourth in total touchdowns (6). At his current pace, McCaffrey could easily surpass 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards, and even challenge the record for most receiving yards by a running back in a single season (1,097).
Kittle’s Return Boosts the 49ers
While Kittle’s streak of 114 consecutive games with a catch ended, his presence was crucial. McCaffrey gained 126 of his 129 rushing yards while Kittle was on the field.
Even without catching passes, Kittle’s blocking and ability to draw defenders created space for others. On one crucial third-and-13 play, quarterback Mac Jones found McCaffrey for a 17-yard gain after multiple Falcons defenders followed Kittle.
“It’s a completely different ballgame when he’s out there,” McCaffrey admitted. “His presence alone makes defences nervous.”
Playing With Heart: Honouring Fred Warner
The win carried emotional weight, as the team rallied around injured star linebacker Fred Warner, who is out for the season after ankle surgery.
Several teammates honoured him before and during the game:
Linebacker Dee Winters arrived wearing Warner’s No. 54 jersey.
Players warmed up in shirts featuring Warner’s face.
Warner received a standing ovation when he appeared on the field on a scooter with his young son.
Filling Warner’s shoes, Tatum Bethune stepped up impressively. He led the defence with 10 tackles, helping limit the Falcons to just 62 rushing yards and 292 total yards.
“I was emotional before the game,” Bethune said. “Fred being out is tough, but it’s also an opportunity for me to prove that this defence can still dominate.”
Looking Ahead
With McCaffrey in elite form and Kittle back on the field, the 49ers appear to have rediscovered their rhythm. The team’s balance between resilience, creativity, and sheer determination continues to make them one of the top contenders in the NFC.
If McCaffrey maintains this level, Shanahan’s prediction — and Kittle’s playful prophecy — might come true sooner than anyone expected.
Sources:
NFL.com | ESPN | San Francisco 49ers Official Website | CBS Sports
For Health & Fitness Products, Click => http://tinyurl.com/5n872ptd