San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey didn't hide his disappointment after Sunday's crushing loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite being shorthanded due to injuries, the 49ers had hoped to put up more of a fight in a critical matchup at Lambeau Field. Instead, they delivered a mistake-filled performance that ended in a lopsided 28-point defeat.
"It was just bad ball," McCaffrey told reporters after the game. "I think it starts with each individual. And myself, I just gotta be better."
McCaffrey managed only 31 rushing yards on 11 carries, far from the dynamic player who earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. While the running back insists he's healthy after missing time earlier this season due to Achilles tendinitis, his recent performances suggest he's still searching for his usual explosiveness.
The 49ers were also without their offensive leader, quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the game with a shoulder injury sustained the previous week. Purdy's availability for this weekend's matchup against the Buffalo Bills remains uncertain.
In Purdy's absence, veteran quarterback Brandon Allen stepped in, making his first start since 2021 and his starting debut as a Niner.
"I thought he did a great job, and we got to be a lot better for him," McCaffrey said. "I have to be a lot better for him, no matter who's at quarterback."
The loss dropped San Francisco to 5-6 on the season. While the 49ers' playoff hopes aren't quite dead yet, the road ahead will be an uphill battle. Fortunately, the NFC West remains tightly contested, with just one game separating first and last place in the division.
"There's always a fight," McCaffrey emphasized. "It's one game at a time. Each day, you've gotta wake up, look yourself in the mirror, and get better, whether you win or lose. And speaking for me, personally, that's what I'm gonna do."
Meanwhile, some fans have been calling for running back Jordan Mason to see more snaps. They hope he can spark the struggling offense and help lighten McCaffrey's workload as he works to regain his form.
With another tough road matchup ahead, it remains to be seen if the 49ers might adjust their backfield approach.