Christian McCaffrey drew inspiration from Bijan Robinson and used it to overshadow the younger working again and energy the San Francisco 49ers previous the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night time.
McCaffrey had 24 carries for 129 yards and two speeding touchdowns, added to seven receptions, in a virtuoso show that carried the 49ers to a 20-10 victory.
If the 29-year-old was making an attempt to show there was life within the outdated canine but then he definitely succeeded. Robinson, arguably the highest RB this season, contributed 40 speeding yards and 52 receiving however was nicely marshalled by a 49ers protection lacking standout linebacker Fred Warner.
Mates Reunited however McCaffrey has final giggle
McCaffrey and Robinson have struck up a friendship after coaching collectively, on the latter’s request, final summer time. Robinson’s uptick in kind suggests he realized lots from the older man however McCaffrey additionally took a lot on board.
“Oh, man, he’s inspiring,” McCaffrey informed the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I realized that he’s a tricky man to coach with in case you’re attempting to be as athletic as he’s. I don’t have sufficient good issues to say about him. He’s bought all the things you’ll need in a again – pace, quickness, power, energy, explosion…
“Factor I really like most about him is simply the form of man he’s.”
McCaffrey leads the NFL in scrimmage yards this season (981) and is on tempo to have over 1,000 yards each speeding and receiving.
“He’s large,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned. “He’s essentially the most constant participant I’ve been round. He simply lets you keep on monitor. He will get each yard within the run recreation and extra and what he does within the cross recreation … it’s uncommon that you simply’re going to throw a ball to him and never get a completion.”
George Kittle key to win
The 49ers offense seemed extra nicely rounded with the return of tight finish George Kittle from a five-game absence as a result of a hamstring harm.
Kittle didn’t have a single reception on two targets however his mere presence, and blocking skill, had a distracting impact.
“It’s a distinct ballgame when he’s in there,” McCaffrey mentioned. “Even when he doesn’t have a giant statistical recreation, the eye that he attracts opens a lot up … While you’ve bought guys like that on the sphere, simply their presence alone strikes quite a lot of concern in coordinators and so you must maintain eyes on them.”
