Christian McCaffrey primed for monster game vs. Cardinals

The 49ers’ rushing attack does not inspire much confidence, entering Week 3 with the fourth-lowest rushing yards per attempt in the NFL. Yet, McCaffrey’s history against the Cardinals could render San Francisco’s early-season rushing struggles useless.

In seven career games against the Cardinals, McCaffrey has amassed 100 carries, 45 receptions, over 1,000 total yards and 10 career touchdowns — including a four TD outing in 2023, according to StatMuse.com

To their credit, the Cardinals have taken the necessary steps to reshape their defensive line, adding veterans Calais Campbell and Josh Sweat, as well as drafting Jordan Burch this offseason. All have played a role in Arizona allowing the sixth-fewest rushing per game. 

However, they will be without defensive tackle L.J Collier this Sunday, Arizona’s second-highest graded run-defending defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus.

There is also reason to believe the Cardinals’ run defense has been overrated through two weeks. The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, Arizona’s opponents, have averaged 17 rushing attempts per game from their running backs — the lowest total in the league. On one hand, credit is due to the Cardinals’ offense for getting out to big leads early and forcing their opponents to throw the football.

On the other hand, the 49ers are averaging the fifth-most rushing attempts per game (31), and McCaffrey has more carries (35) than the Saints and Panthers’ running backs had against Arizona combined.

NFL fans are in store for an NFC West slugfest that could go either way, but the smart money is betting on McCaffrey to break out against a team he has a history of dominating and has yet to be battle-tested this season.