The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for one of their most critical primetime matchups of the 2025 season as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. At 4-2 and sharing the top spot in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers find themselves at a crossroads. After a disappointing 30-19 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, San Francisco desperately needs to bounce back at Levi's Stadium against a Falcons defense that currently ranks first in several key defensive metrics. With quarterback Brock Purdy still questionable due to turf toe and backup Mac Jones dealing with his own injuries, the 49ers will need their most reliable weapon to deliver a signature performance.
That X-factor is none other than running back Christian McCaffrey.
CMC: The Ultimate Matchup-Proof Weapon
In a season marred by injuries to key players across both sides of the ball, Christian McCaffrey has been the one constant force keeping the 49ers' offense afloat. Through six games, McCaffrey has amassed 780 scrimmage yards, trailing only Atlanta's Bijan Robinson (822 yards) for the NFL lead. What makes McCaffrey particularly dangerous isn't just his production on the ground, but his elite work as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
McCaffrey is currently averaging 10 targets per game, which leads all running backs by a staggering margin—the next closest running back is 22 targets behind for the entire season. Across all positions, he ranks third in the NFL in targets behind only wide receivers Puka Nacua and Chris Olave. This dual-threat ability makes him virtually impossible to game plan against, especially for a Falcons defense that will need to account for him on every single snap.
Through six games in 2025, McCaffrey has carried the ball 108 times for 336 yards and one rushing touchdown, while adding 46 receptions on 60 targets for 444 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He's scored in four of his six games this season, providing consistent fantasy production and real-world impact. While his rushing average of 3.1 yards per carry might seem pedestrian, it's his receiving prowess that has elevated him to elite status once again. His 9.7 yards per reception demonstrates his ability to create explosive plays in space, and Kyle Shanahan has made it a priority to get the ball in his hands as frequently as possible.
The Falcons enter Week 7 allowing 114.0 rushing yards per game, ranking 17th in the NFL against the run. However, their pass defense against running backs has been stout, yielding just 5.02 adjusted yards-per-target to the position—the fifth-fewest in the league. Despite this, McCaffrey's versatility and Shanahan's creative play-calling should allow him to exploit Atlanta's defense in multiple ways. As one analyst put it, “The Falcons have been a very impressive defense this season, with their rookies stepping up to the plate. However, CMC is inevitable and truly matchup-proof”.
The Timing Couldn't Be Better for Kittle's Return
While McCaffrey will be the featured weapon, the potential return of tight end George Kittle from injured reserve could provide the ultimate force multiplier for San Francisco's offense. Kittle has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1, and his 21-day practice window was officially opened this week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism about Kittle's return, noting that “just having another good blocker always helps” and that Kittle is “an explosive athlete out there who can run away from people”.
George Kittle back practing today 🔥#FTTB | 🎥: @mattblively pic.twitter.com/33vWIgQH0X
— Sleeper49ers (@SleeperSF49ers) October 15, 2025
Kittle's impact extends far beyond his pass-catching ability. He's widely regarded as one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the NFL, and his presence on the field helps create additional running lanes for McCaffrey. With the 49ers' offensive line struggling throughout the season—a problem that has plagued them in big games since 2021—Kittle's return as an auxiliary blocker could be the difference-maker in getting McCaffrey back to his explosive rushing form.
If Kittle is active on Sunday night, his chemistry with either Purdy or Jones will instantly upgrade the passing attack. More importantly, his presence will force the Falcons to dedicate extra defensive resources to covering him, which should free up McCaffrey for even more favorable matchups in both the running and passing game. The combination of a healthy Kittle and a matchup-proof McCaffrey gives offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak multiple ways to attack Atlanta's top-ranked defense.
Overcoming Adversity Without Key Defenders
The 49ers' path to victory becomes more challenging when you consider the devastating losses they've suffered on defense. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6 against Tampa Bay, and star defensive end Nick Bosa is also out for the season after tearing his ACL earlier in the year. These are two of the most impactful defenders in the entire NFL, and replacing their production is virtually impossible.
This reality places even greater importance on the offense controlling the game and keeping Atlanta's offense off the field. The best way to protect a depleted defense is to sustain long, time-consuming drives that result in points. McCaffrey is uniquely suited to carry that burden. His ability to convert third downs through the air and grind out tough yards on the ground makes him the ideal player to dictate tempo and pace.
The 49ers rank first in the NFL in passing yards per game (306.3), but they've been inconsistent in terms of efficiency, ranking just 17th in Net Yards Per Play. McCaffrey's presence as a safety valve in the passing game and a reliable chain-mover on the ground addresses both issues. If San Francisco can establish a rhythm early with McCaffrey touches, it will set up play-action opportunities and create favorable situations for whoever is under center.
With Purdy described as “more limited” than Jones in practice this week, there's a real possibility that Jones gets another start. Jones posted a 3-1 record in Purdy's absence but struggled mightily in Week 6, throwing two interceptions with no touchdowns against the Buccaneers. Leaning on McCaffrey to shoulder the offensive load would take pressure off Jones and simplify the game plan, allowing the 49ers to play to their strengths.
