Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey accomplished an NFL feat in Monday night's game against the New Orleans Saints that hadn't been done in quite a while.
McCaffrey did what he could to try to give the Panthers the edge, but it was the Saints that came out on top in sending Carolina to its sixth straight defeat.
However, even with the loss, the former Stanford star did something that only one other player in the Super Bowl era has been able to do by posting 50 or more passing, rushing, and receiving yards in a single game.
The other player? None other than Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, according to the NFL Research Department.
Christian McCaffrey is the 2nd player in the Super Bowl era with 50+ pass yards, rush yards, and receiving yards in a single game…
The other?
Sweetness…Hall of Famer Walter Payton@Panthers @Bears @run__cmc @walterpayton
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 18, 2018
That's elite company for McCaffrey to be joining, but he's probably more worried about his team's struggles as of late.
The Panthers got off to a 6-2 start this season and just have not found a way to slow their issues during this long streak, which is likely going to keep them out of the playoffs.
Cam Newton's injured shoulder has undoubtedly been a significant part of the team's struggles, but it won't change the fact that Carolina has been one of the most disappointing teams in the league since early November.
As for what's next for Ron Rivera's team, they'll host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 before heading into New Orleans for the rematch with the Saints in the final game of the regular season.
So, while the Panthers are still mathematically in the running for a postseason spot, that possibility seems to be a major long shot at this point.
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