Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. made the New York Giants’ defense look overwhelmed in their recent matchup. San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan faced a choice to pass more or continue running. He chose the latter.
The 49ers dominated the game, winning 34-24. McCaffrey shone with 173 total yards—106 rushing and 67 through the air. Fans erupted with chants of “CMC! CMC!” when he scored late in the fourth quarter. After a week of frustration with just ten rushing attempts, Shanahan’s team turned things around, logging 39 carries for 159 yards, including Robinson’s impressive 18-yard touchdown run.
“Our team really committed to the running game,” Shanahan said. “It was a great collective effort.”
Quarterback Daniel Jones completed his first 14 passes, finishing with 235 yards and two touchdowns. He rebounded after a rough moment with a fumble, improving his record to 5-2 this season.
The 49ers (6-3) were eager to bounce back from a previous loss, even without their starting QB, Brock Purdy, who sat out again. Robinson, known for his previous performances against the Giants during his time with Washington, averaged 10.6 yards per carry. McCaffrey praised Robinson’s hard-running style and noted how it pushes him to improve.
On defense, the 49ers rebounded after allowing a touchdown on the first drive, something they hadn’t done all season. Players like Clelin Ferrell and Sam Okuayinonu created pressure, marking a strong defensive effort.
For the Giants (2-7), the struggles continued. They’ve now lost three straight games, with a theme of defensive and special teams mistakes. Coach Brian Daboll acknowledged the need for improvement: “We’re not where we need to be. Some aspects are getting better, others are not.”
Fans even expressed their frustration with a plane flying overhead during the game, calling for significant change within the organization.
While the 49ers prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams next week, the Giants will face the Chicago Bears, hoping to turn things around.
Recent stats highlight the changing dynamics in the league. According to a recent survey by the NFL, running backs like McCaffrey and Robinson are becoming crucial in team strategies, particularly as fluctuating quarterback performance leads teams to ground games. It’s a trend to watch in the coming matches.
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