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Christian McCaffrey balled out on Sunday Night Football.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey earns jacket vs. Falcons on newly-created 'National Running Backs Day' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco 49ers did it again. Despite numerous injuries, the 49ers welcomed the red-hot Atlanta Falcons to Levi's Stadium for Sunday Night Football and walked away with the win.

The 49ers were without star defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, and quarterback Brock Purdy as well as receiver Ricky Pearsall were all out on Sunday night.

However, the 49ers got tight end George Kittle back, and rolled on Sunday Night Football. Running back Christian McCaffrey led the way, and was honored postgame with a special jacket.

McCaffrey shines on national running back's day

Everyone knows about National Tight End's Day. Well, with that coming next week, and the return of the 49ers' star tight end this week, Kittle and the SNF crew decided to have a little fun this week.

The Falcons and 49ers matchup on Sunday night featured two of the best running backs in the NFL. So, they decided to name Sunday "National Running Backs Day."

That meant it was a head-to-head battle between McCaffrey and Falcons' star running back Bijan Robinson. Despite another impressive game from Robinson, McCaffrey stole the show on Sunday night and was awarded with his celebratory jacket postgame.

"I'm trying to be serious with this jacket and chain on right now. I'm so proud of these guys man. God is good," McCaffrey said. "We have so much character on this team. You got guys like Bosa and Fred who go down, and George has been out.

Christian McCaffrey and 49ers teammates celebrate "National Running Backs Day" on the SNF postgame. #NFL #SNF https://t.co/k30ckhhAZI pic.twitter.com/Tre1EgJTqd
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 20, 2025

"We've had so many things happen on this team and just the will and character of this team, just a really fun team to be a part of, and I'm so proud to be a part of it."

McCaffrey had his best game of the season, by far, on Sunday night. The 49ers' all-purpose back collected 201 total yards and two touchdowns.

McCaffrey had a season-high 24 carries for 129 yards, marking his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. It was coincidentally in the game Kittle returned, who excels in blocking. The 49ers' star running back also caught seven passes for 72 yards.

Christian McCaffrey are you kidding me?!?! pic.twitter.com/Z224Wp0cLj
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 20, 2025

After the game, he took a moment to shout out his counterpart.

"I've got the upmost respect for him (Bijan Robinson). Lucky enough to train with him a little this summer," McCaffrey said. "There's a reason why he is who he is. The inspiration he gives me, the way he pushed me this whole offseason, and just getting to know him, not only as a player, but as a guy. I don't have enough good things to say about him."

Although McCaffrey stole the night and earned the jacket and chain on National Running Backs Day, Robinson had a solid night as well.

Christian McCaffrey went OFF tonight:

🔸 31 touches
🔸 201 scrimmage yards
🔸 2 touchdowns
⛽️ 39.1 PPR points

Currently 3rd in the NFL in receptions (53)

(📸: @49ers) pic.twitter.com/JDSagrCpXd
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 20, 2025

The Falcons' star had 92 total yards and a touchdown. It was a slow night for Robinson compared to his numbers for the rest of the season, but the entire Falcons' offense struggled on Sunday night, putting up just 10 points.

Robinson had accumulated at least 100 total yards in every game this season until Sunday night.

Now that McCaffrey had his night to shine on National Running Backs Day, we'll see what's in store for Kittle next week for National Tight Ends Day.