Christian McCaffrey Bests Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson With Latest NFL Record
The 2019 season has been nothing short of a breakout season for Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey. The Pro Bowler has put forth a career-best campaign that has seen him set numerous NFL records along the way while also pushing his way into the thick of the MVP conversation. McCaffrey has now added another impressive feat to his resume that has put him in exclusive company that no other running back in league history has ever accomplished – not even Hall of Famers Barry Sanders or LaDainian Tomlinson.
Christian McCaffrey’s breakout 2019 season
The Panthers star running back put himself on the map last season after proving to be a legitimate every-down option out of the backfield.
McCaffrey has erased all doubt that his performance at the collegiate level could translate to the NFL. He is the definition of a cowbell running back being able to shoulder the load of the offense as the Panthers’ primary factor.
McCaffrey has lifted off to another degree in 2019 as he has been one of the most productive offensive players in the league. His production hasn’t diminished despite Carolina’s struggles as he has remained a significant asset out of the backfield both as a runner and a receiver.
That has led to him breaking numerous NFL records while surpassing several all-time greats at his position along the way. McCaffrey has now added a feat that no other running back in league history has ever notched.
Christian McCaffrey sets NFL history…again
The 23-year-old has been an absolute tear in the 2019 season behind his stellar production.
McCaffrey has genuinely excelled as a dual-threat factor, becoming one of the best receiving options in the league. That was further underlined on Sunday after he surpassed more than 100 receptions for the second straight year, making him the first running back to do so in their first three seasons and fourth player overall.
He had previously broken Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson’s all-time mark for most receptions in a single season. McCaffrey has now broken that record again this year, while still having one more game to play in the regular season.
McCaffrey has more than cemented his status among the best players in the league. Still, with each NFL record that he sets, it only speaks much higher about the extraordinary talent that he has become quite early in his NFL career.
Christian McCaffrey’s MVP chances
McCaffrey’s impressive production in the 2019 season has foreseeably placed in the thick of the MVP discussion heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
It is undoubtedly a conversation dominated by second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has not only excelled individually but has the Baltimore Ravens in the promising position to snag the top spot in the AFC playoff picture. Jackson’s production has been nothing short of phenomenal; he has set numerous records along the way with both his arm and legs.
Several other players are in the discussion for the MVP award, such as Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Deshaun Watson. McCaffrey is right in the mix with all of these players, but what will wind up hurting his chances is the Panthers’ lack of success as they have fallen out of the playoff picture and under the .500 mark.
Each of these players ahead of him has their team in the fold for the playoffs. That has typically been a bar to earn the MVP award aside from standout individual performances.
That said, it shouldn’t diminish the special season that McCaffrey has put together that has established him as arguably the best running back in the game. Regardless of where he finishes in the MVP race, he has made his mark in the league among the elite talents.
