Christian McCaffrey — Week 9: Two Touchdowns, Two Ways

Christian McCaffrey scored on the ground and through the air against the Raiders in his first game since the bye: 18 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown, his most carries this season, plus 2 catches on 3 targets for 19 yards and a touchdown. His carries were worth +1.1 expected points added (EPA), what a play was worth given down, distance and field position, and his catches +3.6.

The play that kept his second touchdown drive alive came up 14-7 in the second quarter. Fourth and 1 at the Las Vegas 23, he ran up the middle for 4 yards to the 19, +1.4 EPA and 4.5 points of win probability, the estimate of each side's chance to win. Three snaps later, third and 3 at the 12, Brock Purdy threw short left and McCaffrey caught it for the touchdown, +2.8 EPA. The first score was a 1-yard run at left guard on second and 1 in the first quarter, set up by his 11-yard run to the 5 on second and 10.

Per carry it was below his season. Through Week 7 he had 84 carries for 389 yards, 8 rushing touchdowns and +12.1 EPA, +0.14 a carry, with 53.6% of them successful, meaning they gained what the situation asked for; here it was +0.06 a carry and 7 of 18. The rushing touchdown was his ninth of the season and the catch his first receiving score.

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_Data via nflverse._