Christian McCaffrey drew inspiration from Bijan Robinson and used it to overshadow the young running back and power the San Francisco 49ers past the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
McCaffrey had 24 carries for 129 yards and two rushing touchdowns, added to seven receptions, in a virtuoso display that carried the 49ers to a 20-10 victory.
If the 29-year-old was attempting to prove there was life in the old dog yet then he certainly succeeded. Robinson, arguably the top RB this season, contributed 40 rushing yards and 52 receiving but was well marshalled by a 49ers defense missing standout linebacker Fred Warner.
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Friends Reunited but McCaffrey has last laugh
McCaffrey and Robinson have struck up a friendship after training together, at the latter’s request, last summer. Robinson’s uptick in form suggests he learned a lot from the older man but McCaffrey also took plenty on board.
“Oh, man, he’s inspiring,” McCaffrey told the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I learned that he’s a tough guy to train with if you’re trying to be as athletic as he is. I don’t have enough good things to say about him. He’s got everything you would want in a back – speed, quickness, strength, power, explosion…
“Thing I love most about him is just the kind of guy he is.”
McCaffrey leads the NFL in scrimmage yards this season (981) and is on pace to have over 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving.
“He’s huge,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He’s the most consistent player I’ve been around. He just allows you to stay on track. He gets every yard in the run game and more and what he does in the pass game … it’s rare that you’re going to throw a ball to him and not get a completion.”
George Kittle key to win
The 49ers offense looked more well rounded with the return of tight end George Kittle from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury.
Kittle did not have a single reception on two targets but his mere presence, and blocking ability, had a distracting effect.
“It’s a different ballgame when he’s in there,” McCaffrey said. “Even when he doesn’t have a big statistical game, the attention that he draws opens so much up … When you’ve got guys like that on the field, just their presence alone strikes a lot of fear in coordinators and so you have to keep eyes on them.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
