If you throw out that stinker against the Kansas City Chiefs, where Christian McCaffrey had about 48 hours to prepare to suit up, the San Francisco 49ers have won every game since trading for the star running back. The team has won six consecutive games now and looks to win its seventh straight on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
The game is significant for San Francisco, too. The 49ers can clinch the NFC West title with a win, ensuring they open the postseason at Levi's Stadium and potentially inching closer to the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about McCaffrey's impact and how the running back's presence has elevated the offense.
"I think it limits a lot of stuff people want to do versus us," Shanahan responded. "Any time you have a commitment to the running game, and ways that you can think of how to stop that, but at any time, one of those runners can be out on a pass, not just against corners but also linebackers and safeties, [it limits] some of the things you can do formationally. And when you have other guys in there you can hand the ball off to, too, I think it limits guys in what they want to get away with.
"And you can always get the right run calls and stuff to stop some things, but if you have it called on the wrong thing, how bad of a position that can put somebody in coverage. I think Christian does that a lot. I think a number of our players do. You kind of just have to simplify things for the defense when it's like that."
One player benefiting from having McCaffrey as a teammate is quarterback Brock Purdy, who is preparing to (hopefully) start his second NFL game. The rookie is dealing with an oblique/rib injury right now, so his status is uncertain. But if he does play in Seattle, he's grateful to have such a versatile weapon at his disposal.
"Yeah, I feel like they always have to account for him because he can do so much," Purdy said. "He doesn't just run the football. He can do stuff out of the backfield. He can line up out as a receiver and make plays that way. Literally, there is so much. He's like a Swiss army knife. So, I feel like they always have to account for him.
"And on top of that, you have [TE] George [Kittle], [WR Brandon Aiyuk], [WR] Ray-Ray [McCloud], [WR] Jauan [Jennings], so we have all these weapons, and then Christian can do everything. So I imagine it's sort of a nightmare being a defensive coordinator trying to plan for Christian."
Receivers eager to step up
With Deebo Samuel expected to miss several weeks due to MCL and ankle sprains, the 49ers' other receivers are eager to step up in his absence. Thursday night could mean more work for players like Jauan Jennings and even Danny Gray, who finally earned his first NFL catch on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I think the guys are more than ready," Shanahan said of his young receivers. "I think those guys love the opportunity. They're always wanting to be out there more. They're mad I'm not in five wides every play. So those guys relish this.
"I know they did a hell of a job versus the Rams (Samuel missed that Week 8 game due to injury). Even that week, we thought we were going to get Jauan. We ended up not getting him towards the end of the week, and a number of guys had to step up.
"Our guys will be ready on Thursday. ... I know our guys are ready and excited for their [opportunities]."
