Weapon X: Christian McCaffrey

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The front-runner for the league MVP this year happens to be a running back for the Carolina Panthers. Christian McCaffrey’s numbers are staggering. Through 6 weeks he has joined the likes of Thurman Thomas as the only running back to have 550 + yards rushing, and 250-plus yards receiving. Currently, he has more rushing yards than the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets combined.

 

The Background

While averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry, he is the backbone to an offense that was staggered under Cam Newton, but thriving under Kyle Allen. McCaffrey comes from a rare breed, and good gene pedigree. His father was a wide receiver for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. He is a 3x Super Bowl champion.

His mother was a soccer standout, scoring 56 goals during her high school career and was a “Face in the Crowd” for Sports illustrated in 1986. Her father was an Olympic Silver Medalist and an american sprinter athlete. It would seem McCaffrey’s entire family are athletes. He was raised in the NFL lifestyle surrounded by football players while growing up in Castle Rock Colorado. And now, in his third year out of his parents alma-mater of Stanford, he’s made a name for himself as a weapon that can’t be stopped. In less than 3 years, his career totals are eye-popping. Through two seasons and five games, he has 1797 yards receiving from 218 receptions and 2120 yards rushing off of 441 attempts.

Back On Track

Since the week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McCaffrey has been on fire. He followed up the Lawson week 2 with a week 3 153 yard ground performance. He fought against Houston league for with 93 yards rushing and 86 yards receiving off of 10 receptions. And against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 176 yards rushing for two touchdowns and six receptions for 61 yards and another touchdown. He has been Unstoppable. He is 5 11, 205 lb, and Unbreakable.

The Carolina Panthers have rattled off three wins in a row, after starting their season O-2. Ironically, the only NFC South team that the Panthers have faced in this young season is the Buccaneers.

The Backdrop 

The second game will feature the “home” team of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus its NFC South rival the Carolina Panthers. Although they met 4 weeks ago, bad blood is present and fresh. Multiple storylines could be considered in this matchup, Gerald McCoy gets one more shot at the formal organization that drafted him. No Cam Newton, may mean more problems for the Bucs defense. Christian McCaffrey can find redemption from being stopped for the game-winning score in week 2 on that Thursday night. That has been his worst game of the year with only 53 yards from scrimmage.

Summary

McCaffrey has been mutant-like in his assault against defenses since. He has 31 receptions so far this season. That’s better than 65% of the wide receivers playing in the NFL currently. He has seven touchdowns, which is why his name is in the fold as an MVP candidate.

The Buccaneers defense has to give respect and attention to McCaffrey. Proof of productivity is present in his numbers. He is the type of player that makes everyone around him better; by his actions on the field, or his receiving. Once again, in a short time span, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to find a way to stop Weapon X.

 

Photo credit: panthers.com

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