When you think of the best offensive players of all time, who comes to mind? Jerry Rice is probably one of the first names that comes to mind. Now let’s do the same and fast forward to today, and Christian McCaffrey is probably on that list.
These two have more in common than just being great at their respective positions or even playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Both now hold the franchise record for most consecutive games with a touchdown, including playoffs.
Rice held that title from 1987 alone until Thursday night, when McCaffrey scored a touchdown in his 12th straight game.
CMC’s record-breaking TD came in the second quarter against the New York Giants in a 30-12 win. The 4-yard rush that capped a 73-yard drive and extended the home team’s lead to 17-3 will go down in the Niners’ history books.
McCaffrey has a chance to break the record next week when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals, who are winless and have given up 51 points in two weeks. The Cardinals’ defense has allowed three rushing touchdowns so far this season, and opposing offenses are averaging four yards per carry for a total of 219 rushing yards.
The way San Francisco’s offense looks, with a few extra days to prepare and against an easier defense, they could certainly be just as productive next week and we could see No. 23 cross the goal line again.
McCaffrey also has a chance to be the NFL record holder for most consecutive games with a touchdown (since 1970).
Rice and now McCaffrey are tied for fourth place with LaDainian Tomlinson, who was playing his 12th game for the then-San Diego Chargers in 2004. Washington’s George Rodgers (1985), Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys (1994) and Arian Foster of the Houston Texans (2011) all have a 13-game streak. Smith broke his own streak of 14 games in 1995, and at the top of the list are OJ Simpson of the Buffalo Bills (1974) and John Riggins of Washington, both of whom had a streak of 15 games reaching the end zone.
To break the all-time record, McCaffrey would need to score touchdowns in the next three games and a score in the next four games to break the record.
The 49ers’ next four opponents are at home against the Cardinals, at home against the Cowboys, on the road against the Browns and on the road against the Minnesota Vikings.