Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey on pace to break NFL single-season reception record
Christian McCaffrey is also a bona fide receiver.
Three weeks into the regular season and second-year running back Christian McCaffrey is already on pace to put up big numbers this year. If McCaffrey can stay healthy and continue receiving the same amount of targets (or more) each game, he will double his rookie season reception count by the end of the regular season.
McCaffrey is currently averaging 10 receptions and 73.5 receiving yards per game. His 14 catches last Sunday were more than his father saw in any game in his entire 13-year NFL career. The only player in franchise history to record more receptions in a single game than McCaffrey is retired wide receiver Steve Smith. Smith also holds the record for most receptions (103) and receiving yards (1653) in a single season. If the Panthers continue to use McCaffrey in open space as often as they have thus far, there may be a new single-season reception leader at the end of this year.
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McCaffrey caught 80 passes for 651 yards his rookie season. That season earned him a top-ten spot on the single-season receiving leader’s list. If the Panthers were to use him half as often as they used him in the last two regular season games for the rest of the season, he should have no trouble moving up into the top five. If McCaffrey continues to average 10 receptions per game, he will finish the regular season with 160.
So far we have not seen very many deep shots coming from quarterback Cam Newton. The team has not taken as many deep shots partly because opposing defenses have done an excellent job of dropping their linebackers away from the line of scrimmage and playing tight coverage against vertical threats. The Panthers have counted on Cam Newton to check down to McCaffrey in open space and let him move the chains on short yardage situations.
Christian McCaffrey has benefited from the quick collapse of the banged-up offensive line and injuries to vertical threats Greg Olsen, Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd.
I think that the Bengals will spend extra time reviewing film on McCaffrey this week. Their defensive unit ranks third for the least amount of rushing yards allowed thus far (141). The Bengals’ defense has given up just 3.2 yards per attempt. Last week, Christian McCaffrey averaged 4.8 yards per attempt.
The Panthers might see more success in the passing game this week. The Bengals rank in the bottom third (30th) in receiving yards allowed (695). This weekend we could see more deep passes coming from Newton. McCaffrey will again, be heavily involved on offense. After all, he will be performing for the life he saved.
In March, Dan Smoker Sr. was hiking in Colorado with his 13-year-old grandson Eli. McCaffrey, two of his brothers and a friend, were also hiking that day. The party saw Smoker fall from a great height and sustain significant injuries. Without delay, the group ran over to the injured Smoker and called 911. They conducted a series of chest compressions on Smoker until emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene.
dark. Next. Cincy game could be shootout
That was a day that McCaffrey will likely never forget. This week he will have a little extra motivation to put up big numbers. Sunday’s game would be a wonderful time for McCaffrey to score his first touchdown of the 2018 regular season. I am excited to see the two finally meet now that Smoker is walking again.