The San Francisco 49ers will head into Week 16’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with high hopes of clinching a playoff spot, setting up a potentially long postseason run with a chance to compete for a Super Bowl title.
Along with the 49ers looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs this weekend, superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is on the verge of making franchise history, adding to what has been an incredible bounce-back season for the four-time All-Pro.
Christian McCaffrey on Verge of Breaking Roger Craig’s Record
GettyRunning back Roger Craig #33 of the San Francisco 49ers
According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, McCaffrey is only seven catches away from passing 49ers legend Roger Craig for receptions by a running back for the storied NFL franchise.
McCaffrey needs seven catches Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts to top Roger Craig’s mark of 92. While McCaffrey already owns the NFL record of 116 (set while with the Carolina Panthers), the chance to top “a franchise icon” whom he watched highlights of growing up and tried to emulate is … well, it’s pretty cool.
Craig was also the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and rack up 1,000 yards in the same season, as he was able to put up those impressive numbers with the 49ers during the 1985 NFL season.
Eventually, Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk was able to accomplish the same feat with the St. Louis Rams in 1999, and McCaffrey also got it done during the 2019 NFL season while playing for the Carolina Panthers.
McCaffrey talked about the impact that the 49ers legend has had on him earlier this week.
“Obviously had (a) big impact on me,” McCaffrey said before practice Thursday. “He’s extremely versatile, can do anything, can run any run, run any route. But I think just the mindset that he ran with of never being denied — the way he would pick his knees up — that’s something I pride myself on as well.”
McCaffrey has been an offensive juggernaut for the 49ers once again this season, as he’ll come into Monday’s game against the Colts having racked up 1,742 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns.
Along with being on the verge of breaking Craig’s record for receptions in franchise history, the superstar running back will have a chance to finish the 2025 campaign with 1,000 yards receiving and rushing.
McCaffrey has hauled in 86 catches for 820 receiving yards while rushing for 922 yards on 259 carries.
Playoff Scenarios for 49ers in Week 16
GettyChristian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will be in control of their playoff fate in Week 16, as all they’ll need to do is get the best of Philip Rivers and company at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area on Monday Night Football.
Another way the team can clinch a playoff spot is if the Detroit Lions lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Aaron Rodgers.
Both scenarios make it likely that the 49ers will be playoff-bound once the dust settles on Week 16, as San Francisco should beat the Colts, and the Steelers have a decent shot of beating the Lions.
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