When the San Francisco 49ers acquired running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in 2022, they totally transformed their offense.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had always been a master of getting the most out of running backs on the roster. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr, and others all had fantastic numbers in Shanahan's scheme.
But the acquisition of McCaffrey added several layers and dimensions to the team's running game, while his all-world abilities in terms of route running, pass catching, and pass blocking elevated the team's air attack to the next level.
McCaffrey has been the most dominant back in the league this season, even generating MVP buzz, once thought to be a modern-day impossibility from the running back position.
The Stanford alum rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns this season while adding 564 yards and 7 touchdowns as a receiver.
His versatility in the passing game is a big factor. Shanahan can line him up out wide and expect him to get wins against corners in man coverage. He can be a factor in the flat or in the screen game, or he can combine with star tight end George Kittle to put linebackers in serious levels of conflict over the middle of the field.
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How Will Christian McCaffrey Fare in Super Bowl 58?
McCaffrey's output will be absolutely critical in determining San Francisco's performance on offense on Sunday. The Kansas City defense that won despite its youth last season has matured into one of the league's very best units.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has masterminded some truly diabolical game plans this season. His penchant for blitzing shines through, but what separates him from his other blitz-heavy peers of his age has been the creativity the Chiefs have shown in doing so.
The Chiefs have utilized post snap motion to change the looks quarterbacks see from before the snap to when they drop back, and unaccounted for rushers have gotten into the backfield to get sacks.
With Chris Jones and George Karlaftis dominating off the line, offensive lines already have their hands full in ensuring the Chiefs' normal pass rushers are blocked without considering extra rushers.
Combine that with strong play over the middle from Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton and the dominance of corner L'Jarius Sneed, and the 49ers might be best served running the ball-- a lot.
Baltimore fell behind the Chiefs early and totally abandoned the running game that made them so strong all season, if San Francisco can not fall into that same trap.
Kansas City is not nearly as strong against the run as they are the pass, and the 49ers need to exploit their edge in this department.
Look for McCaffrey to get a lot of work on the ground. If he can get over 20 carries, that's a great sign for the 49ers, as it's hard to imagine the Chiefs holding him under 100 yards and keeping him out of the end zone if he gets that much work.
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