Bill Belichick highlights how Christian McCaffrey transforms 49ers’ game

Bill Belichick's praise for Christian McCaffrey sheds light on an overlooked aspect of the San Francisco 49ers running back's game - his power running between the tackles. The former Patriots head coach's assessment arrives at a pivotal moment, as McCaffrey returned to action for the 49ers following an eight-game absence due to calf and Achilles injuries.

Belichick, widely regarded as one of the NFL's defensive masterminds, brings decades of experience analyzing opponents' strengths. Though modest in rushing yards, McCaffrey's recent performance against the Buccaneers showcased his adaptability when the ground game stalled against Vita Vea and Tampa Bay's stout front seven.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee show on Monday, the veteran coach shared his insights, breaking down what makes McCaffrey such a challenging opponent to contain.

"I don't think Christian McCaffrey gets enough credit for his inside running," Belichick told McAfee. "He really is a hard guy to defend. He's very good at setting up blocks and he accelerates through the hole. We all know what he is like out on the perimeter and in the passing game he is so hard to tackle... He's really impressive and I have a lot of respect for his toughness, to make yards after contact, run with power for his size," he added.

Christian McCaffrey's return to the field proved timely for the San Francisco 49ers, who squeaked out a 23-20 victory over Tampa Bay. The game marked their worst performance of the season in yards per rush, success rate, expected points gained on rushes, and first-down-per-rush attempt. Still, McCaffrey found ways to impact the game, turning six catches into 68 yards, including a highlight-reel 30-yard reception where he and Purdy extended the play.

Christian McCaffrey making an impact beyond the box score

Christian McCaffrey in action during the 49ers vs. Buccaneers game (Credits: IMAGN)

The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year wasted no time getting back into the thick of things. While backup Jordan Mason saw just three snaps and rookie Isaac Guerendo played only three offensive downs, Christian McCaffrey dominated the backfield with 56 offensive snaps - 88 percent of the team's total plays. His presence opened up opportunities for quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw for 353 yards on 36 attempts.

"I never go in expecting anything, just when my number is called, I like to be out there," McCaffrey reflected post-game. "That's the third time I've had pads on in eight weeks so, just getting back into a groove. That was really good for me to do. I think there's a couple of things that, maybe I didn't feel like myself 100 percent, but that's normal when you haven't played in a long time."

During his return, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan carefully managed Christian McCaffrey's workload.

"He came out great, which was huge," Shanahan said. "We knew it was going to be hard, but... 'load manage' him, as I think as everyone says in the media? I just say 'not playing as much,' but I thought we did that in the first half."

Getting Christian McCaffrey back in rhythm could be the key to San Francisco's playoff aspirations. While the rushing attack might need time to rediscover its groove, his versatility - the very quality Belichick highlighted - gives the 49ers (5-4) multiple ways to attack defenses as they eye that elusive Super Bowl title.