Tracy Sandler on Christian McCaffrey, “He’s their Patrick Mahomes”
The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are set to battle this Sunday for Super Bowl LVIII. While a lot of the conversation has been focused on QB Patrick Mahomes, people appear to be forgetting that the 49ers also have RB Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey is arguably the most important player on the 49ers roster and is practically a lock for Offensive Player of the Year honors. On The Tracy Sandler Show, host Tracy Sandler broke down McCaffrey being the "Patrick Mahomes" of the team.
"Number 23 is next-level ridiculous. He's there. Patrick Mahomes, He's their magic... Christian McCaffrey is the 49ers Patrick Mahomes and he is their magic. It's just who gets to be more magical."
via Tracy Sandler, The Tracy Sandler Show
Sandler is right in heaping praise at McCaffrey, as the many has been a monster on the field for the 49ers this season. His 1,469 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs led the league.
He will be the deciding factor for who wins the Super Bowl. If the 49ers can get McCaffrey going, it will be hard for the Chiefs to stop them, especially because they were in the middle of the pack in terms of stopping the run.
The Chiefs may have a good defense, but they rank #18 in stopping the run this season. That could spell trouble for the defense if McCaffrey gets loose. Despite his running prowess, Sandler believes a shootout is imminent.
"I think I am predicting a shootout. I really I think I am now. There's another thing here that we haven't discussed, but maybe this goes to my whole shootout thing. The Chiefs' defense is playing about as well as any defense in the league, right? Well, there's only two teams left. But at this point, the Chiefs defense has been playing about as well as any defensively."
via Tracy Sandler, The Tracy Sandler Show
The Chief's defense has been playing lights out and was able to stop the Ravens run game in the AFC Championship. The Ravens were held to 80 rushing yards when they generally have a huge run game.
It will be up to the Chiefs to stop the run-design plays for Deebo Samuel and to stop McCaffrey from getting anything going. But as Sandler said, McCaffrey is the 49ers Patrick Mahomes.
