Christian McCaffrey has had a significant impact on the San Francisco 49ers since joining the team in the middle of the 2022 NFL season. This trend continued as the 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 30-23 at SoFi Stadium. With this win, the 49ers have now won 12 consecutive regular season games, making it the second-longest streak in franchise history. McCaffrey played a crucial role in the victory, contributing 20 carries, 116 rushing yards, and a touchdown, showcasing his dominance.
Not only did McCaffrey perform well in this game, but he has also achieved some remarkable milestones throughout his career. Since entering the NFL in 2017, he has accumulated 40 rushing touchdowns and 22 receiving touchdowns. This makes him one of only five players in NFL history to have at least 40 rushing touchdowns and 20 receiving touchdowns in their first seven seasons. Joining the likes of Neal Anderson, Marshall Faulk, Chuck Foreman, and Alvin Kamara. McCaffrey’s 116 rushing yards against the Rams were also notable, marking the sixth time in his career that he has surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game.
In addition to his individual achievements, McCaffrey’s success has contributed to the team’s overall performance. He becomes the first NFL running back since Saquon Barkley in 2019 to rush for over 100 yards in both Weeks 1 and 2 of a season. Furthermore, his 268 rushing yards in the first two weeks of the season rank as the second-highest total by a 49ers running back in that time frame.
McCaffrey’s touchdown against the Rams was his second of the season and 40th of his career. He also holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive regular season games with at least one touchdown in his career, sitting at eight games. This streak began in Week 12 of the 2019 season and extends to Week 2 of 2020. Including playoff games, McCaffrey has now scored at least one touchdown in 11 consecutive games, making it the longest active streak among NFL players.
It is evident that McCaffrey’s success in the 2022 season is no coincidence. Having dedicated the offseason to studying and learning coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook, he has seamlessly integrated into the 49ers’ system and showcased his greatness on the field. The 49ers, aiming to add a sixth Super Bowl win to their storied history, rely on McCaffrey’s talent and hope for his continued excellence.