Christian McCaffrey ties Jerry Rice for most TDs in 49ers single season

Jan 22, 2024, 12:30 PM | Updated: 12:54 pm

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball for a touchdown during an NFL...

Michael Owens/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Only the great ones can break a play when nothing is going their team’s way. And that’s what Christian McCaffrey did against the Packers, calling his shot when the 49ers needed it most.

The San Francisco 49ers’ star running back exploded for 128 scrimmage yards and two rushing scores on Saturday night. The final touchdown gave the lead back to SF, 24-21, with little time left in the contest.

But it was the first run to the end zone that was the most impressive.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY IS A PROBLEM 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/AIp9TTX9Nu

— PFF (@PFF) January 21, 2024

Down 13-7 at the 7:47 mark of the third quarter, the 49ers gave McCaffrey a right zone toss play up the B-Gap of the line of scrimmage. CMC saw the hole immediately, making two cutbacks on Packers’ players before racing to the endzone for the 39-yard score.

What’s even cooler about that play? McCaffrey told the coaching staff that he would get loose if they called it.

McCaffrey called it

SHANAHAN: "He told me coming out that that play was going to score."

CMC: "I was hoping I was right… and it worked out." 😂 pic.twitter.com/MXpRV0FKhs

— KNBR (@KNBR) January 21, 2024

“Christian is unbelievable. He told me coming out [of the half] that that play was gonna score,” Kyle Shanahan said postgame. “It’s called 18 Mike and it was part of our openers. We didn’t get to it until the second drive but he goes ‘That Mike is gonna go, it’s gonna score.’ Now, we didn’t get the exact look we wanted…but Christian was right, man of his word.”

McCaffrey has been known to come up big in the postseason, breaking a 23-yard dash to paydirt in the 2023 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. But when it came to this play, it was more so hope than a prediction that he would find the endzone.

“I don’t know, I was hoping I was right and it worked out,” the running back said with a big grin. “So, I like that play. You know, anytime we can get [fullback Kyle Juszyzck] in the dot and run downhill. I’m always a fan of that.”

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good I guess.

There’s nothing lucky about Christian McCaffrey and his production this season though. With his scores, he tied Jerry Rice for the most TDs in a single season (including playoffs) Saturday with 23. If CMC scores against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, he would break the franchise record that has stood since 1987.

Most scrimmage TD in a single season (including playoffs) — 49ers history

1987 Jerry Rice – 23
2023 Christian McCaffrey – 23 pic.twitter.com/ZkQr9E9sBK

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 21, 2024

Christian McCaffrey, 27, has been the focal point of the 49ers’ rushing attack since last season, recording 2,541 rushing yards. He has also been dominant in the passing game with 1,059 receiving yards as well. He has 36 total TDs in 31 contests in Red & Gold.