Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Christian McCaffrey did it all for a 49ers team forced into playing its 4th-string QB

Christian McCaffrey 49ers Brock Purdy NFL San Francisco 49ers

For a time during Sunday afternoon’s NFC title game, the San Francisco 49ers looked dead in the water. After the journeyman underdog story in Brock Purdy would fumble the ball early (and get injured in the process) — drawing comparisons to a “new Tom Brady” — it seemed like the Philadelphia Eagles would be unopposed in notching a berth in Super Bowl 57.

But the NFL’s best defense and, perhaps more importantly, one of the NFL’s best running backs, Christian McCaffrey, got San Francisco up off the mat.

McCaffrey’s Herculean efforts to keep a team playing fourth-stringer Josh Johnson at QB were best exemplified on a late second-quarter TD run.

By my count, that’s four individual Eagles’ defenders humiliated on one ridiculous 23-yard score to tie the game up (at the time). But such brilliance is probably for the course with a star player like McCaffrey.

By the end of the first half, not only had McCaffrey almost hit the over on a pregame over/under of 62.5 rushing yards, he had 73 yards from scrimmage on nine touches. Or, you know, eight yards per touch (along with his one touchdown). Ho-hum!

For a squad that would likely be offensively challenged without its usual QB, the 49ers needed tremendous output like McCaffrey’s to stay alive. Whether they could finish a comeback from 21-7 down is a different story, but your best players have to play like heroes to have a shot.

NFL fans were astonished by Christian McCaffrey carrying the 49ers while on their fourth-string QB

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Jeremy Allen White fans praise lookalike contest winner for actually ‘nailing’ resemblance
The winner of the Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest in Chicago received a ‘$50 cash prize plus some cigarettes’
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Gulls aren't "rats with wings"
Gulls get a bad rap, but a new book explains how they are actually smart — and fascinating
Salon
Salon
Ryan Reynolds has just confirmed a major theory about Taylor Swift
Ryan Reynolds has just confirmed a major theory about Taylor Swift
Marie Claire
Marie Claire
This is not an urban shoe myth. The new Manolo Mary Jane is a thing of beauty.
Eat your heart out Carrie.
Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Fans trying to watch Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul on Netflix faced technical issues during undercard
It didn't take long for technical issues to rear their head in Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Group Leaves Friend After She’s Late Yet Again, Sparks Major Friendship Fallout
This woman didn't play around. She up and left her always late friend out of the birthday party bus. The post Group Leaves Friend After She’s Late Yet Again, Sparks Major Friendship Fallout first appeared on Bored Panda.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play