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Christian McCaffrey outduels Bijan Robinson as San Francisco 49ers’ down Atlanta Falcons
It was a prime time showdown between two of the elite running backs in the NFL. Two men who had formed a close friendship while training together during the offseason, but who remained fierce rivals on the pitch.
On one sideline stood Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson, the young upstart who has taken the league by storm. On the other was veteran San Francisco 49ers' tailback Christian McCaffrey, with over 11,000 career yards.
When the clock hit zeros there was no mistaking the winner. McCaffrey, in a performance for the ages, eclipsed 200 all-purpose yards, powering the 49ers to a 20-10 victory and the lead in the NFC West.
With 129 rushing yards and another 72 receiving, the 29-year-old reminded Robinson that experience still counts for plenty in this league and, perhaps, why he deserves to be ahead in the Offensive Player of the Year race.
As he had so often this year, McCaffrey looked quick, hungry, and, crucially - for a man whose impact has been hampered by injury rather than opposing defenses - healthy.
And, in a season where Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry are faltering, McCaffrey proved he deserves to be in the conversation with the Colts' Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan, for the right to claim the title of the league's best back.
That’s not to say Robinson disappeared. The Falcons’ third-year star flashed plenty of what makes him special, and his 41-yard touchdown reception was one of the Falcons' best offensive plays of the night.
But his chances were few and far between. San Francisco’s front seven smothered the run and closed down every lane before it opened, holding the 23-year-old to 2.9 yards per carry.
It was the kind of stifling defensive effort that would have made their leader Fred Warner proud, as he watched on with his leg raised after suffering an injury last week.
It was also the kind of performance that, even down his starting quarterback Brock Purdy, has placed Kyle Shanahan in contention for Coach of the Year honours.
For the Falcons and head coach Raheem Morris, it was a disappointing end to a two-game winning run. They will, however, take encouragement from the promising performance of QB Michael Penix.
For the 49ers, it was more of the same - a clinic in the ability to overcome adversity, and a sensational performance from the great McCaffrey.
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