Christian McCaffrey entered Week 7 with 780 yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns. However, 444 of those yards and three of those touchdowns came on 46 receptions. His rushing average was just 3.1 yards per carry over the first six games of the season.
Things looked much more like 2023 on Sunday night against the Falcons. McCaffrey torched Atlanta for 129 yards rushing and two touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 72 yards, leading the 49ers to a 20-10 victory. McCaffrey was clearly the best player on the field, as reflected by how often San Francisco relied on him throughout the game.
He opened his scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left in the second quarter. Later, he helped seal the win with a crucial 17-yard catch on third-and-3 from the Atlanta 21-yard line. Following that reception, McCaffrey capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the 49ers a 10-point lead with just 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.
This performance marked McCaffrey’s first 100-yard rushing game in the regular season since Week 16 of 2023. Additionally, it was his best rushing output since Week 14 of last year when he gained 145 yards.
The 49ers, who had been averaging only 3.1 yards per carry this season, flipped the script on Sunday, rushing 39 times for 174 yards—an impressive 4.5-yard average.
Quarterback Mac Jones contributed 17 completions on 26 attempts for 152 yards but threw one interception. Filling in for Fred Warner, linebacker Tatum Bethune recorded 10 total tackles, including one for loss.
On the Falcons’ side, Michael Penix Jr. completed 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards, including one touchdown, but also lost a fumble. Penix had a costly intentional grounding penalty late in the first half, which ran out the clock and ended the second quarter prematurely.
Midway through the fourth quarter, with the Falcons trailing 13-10 and facing fourth-and-1, coach Raheem Morris opted to go for it instead of attempting a 53-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Penix’s pass to Drake London was slightly late and broken up, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Running back Bijan Robinson was limited to just 40 yards on 14 carries but contributed six receptions for 52 yards.
Despite numerous injuries this season, the 49ers have improved to 5-2 and maintain first place in the NFC West, thanks to their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams. San Francisco will travel to face the Houston Texans next weekend.
Meanwhile, the Falcons, now 3-3, return home to face the struggling Miami Dolphins, who hold a 1-6 record, in Week 8.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sunday-night-football-christian-mccaffreys-big-night-powers-49ers-to-20-10-victory