Cardinals for four total TDs in their first meeting, McCaffrey had one heck of an encore on Sunday. The Niners stomped the division rival, 45-29, with McCaffrey leading the charge backed by an impressive stat line. Naturally, he was dangerous in the running and passing game, recording 115 rushing yards (18 carries) and 72 receiving yards (five catches) with three touchdowns. According to ESPN Stats and Info, McCaffrey’s seven TDs versus the Cardinals is the most by a player in a single season against one team in the Super Bowl era (1967).
Leading the league in all-purpose yards (1,801), McCaffrey has emerged as an MVP candidate alongside QB Brock Purdy. However, speaking with reporters after the game, Purdy said, “I think Christian should be MVP.” Entering Week 15, McCaffrey (+2500) was a distant underdog in the MVP race behind Purdy (-150), the overwhelming favorite, per Oddschecker. Following his performance Sunday, his chances should be on the rise.
Detroit Lions: The Lions turned things around in Week 15, improving to 10-4 following a dominant 42-17 drubbing of the Denver Broncos (7-7). The defense shut out the Broncos in the first half and held an opponent to under 26 points and 300 yards of offense for the first time since Week 8. Conversely, the offense got back on track behind Jared Goff, who joined Matthew Stafford (2015) as the second Lions QB in history to throw for five touchdowns in a game without an interception. Meanwhile, TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs became the first rookies since 1970 to combine for five TDs in a game, per Elias Sports Bureau.
After struggling recently, it’s safe to say the Lions righted the ship against the Broncos. They own a three-game lead atop the NFC North with three games to go, meaning the team’s first division title since 1993 is within their grasp.
