As the San Francisco 49ers entered Week 7, Christian McCaffrey had accumulated a total of 780 yards from scrimmage, along with four touchdowns. Notably, 444 of those yards and three of those touchdowns came from his 46 receptions. Despite his impressive receiving stats, McCaffrey was struggling with his rushing game, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry in the first six games of the season. However, everything changed dramatically on Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
In a standout performance, McCaffrey rushed for 129 yards and scored two touchdowns, complementing his efforts with seven receptions for 72 yards. This impressive showing led the 49ers to a commanding 20-10 victory over the Falcons. McCaffrey was undoubtedly the best player on the field, and his impact was evident in the frequency with which the 49ers utilized him.
McCaffrey opened the scoring with a vital 1-yard touchdown run, finding the end zone with just 1:48 left in the second quarter. He sealed the game with a crucial 17-yard reception on a third-and-3 play from the Atlanta 21-yard line, which he followed up with a 4-yard touchdown run. This sequence gave San Francisco a 10-point lead, with only 2:26 remaining in the contest. It marked McCaffrey's first regular-season game with over 100 rushing yards since Week 16 of 2023, and his first time eclipsing 120 rushing yards since a remarkable 145-yard game in Week 14 of the previous season.
The 49ers, who had been struggling with an average of just 3.1 yards per carry, turned the tide against the Falcons. On Sunday, they executed a total of 39 rushes for 174 yards, achieving an average of 4.5 yards per carry. This offensive resurgence was crucial in securing their victory.
Quarterback Mac Jones finished the game with a solid performance, completing 17 of 26 passes for 152 yards, although he did throw one interception. Defensively, the 49ers saw a strong outing from linebacker Tatum Bethune, who filled in for Fred Warner and tallied 10 total tackles, including one tackle for loss.
On the other side of the field, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ended the game with 21 of 38 completions for 241 yards, a touchdown, and a lost fumble. A critical intentional grounding penalty late in the first half hampered the Falcons' momentum, leading to a time-consuming runoff that ended the second quarter. In a pivotal fourth-quarter moment, the Falcons attempted to tie the game at 13-13 on a fourth-and-1 situation, but head coach Raheem Morris opted to go for it instead of attempting a 53-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Penix's pass to Drake London was slightly late and resulted in a turnover on downs.
Despite the hype surrounding Bijan Robinson, he was limited to just 40 yards on 14 carries, although he contributed with six catches for 52 yards. The Falcons, now at 3-3, face a tough challenge ahead as they prepare to host the 1-6 Miami Dolphins in Week 8.
The 49ers, bolstered by their recent performance and now holding a record of 5-2, continue to lead the NFC West, thanks to their head-to-head victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Next weekend, they will hit the road to face the Houston Texans, looking to maintain their momentum.
