The anticipation surrounding Sunday's matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on one man: Christian McCaffrey.
Playing against the team that drafted him, the superstar running back had a huge game on "Monday Night Football." McCaffrey’s history with Carolina -- where he became one of the league's most versatile offensive weapons -- added a deep emotional current to a crucial NFC contest.
Christian McCaffrey's tenure with the Panthers was defined by his historic versatility, culminating in a legendary 2019 season. That year, he became only the third player in NFL history at the time to achieve the feat of recording 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, accumulating 1,387 rushing yards and 1,005 receiving yards. His performance also set the NFL record for the most receptions by a running back in a single season with 116. Throughout his time in Carolina, McCaffrey also holds the Panthers franchise record for career scrimmage yards per game (113.6) and is the only running back in NFL history to produce multiple seasons with 100 or more receptions.
In his first game against his former team, McCaffrey did not disappoint. From the opening drive, his impact was immediate, tallying a career-high nine touchdes. He shredded his former defense with a relentless combination of power runs between the tackles and shifty, precise routes out of the backfield. By the end, San Francisco pulled away with a 20-9 victory.
Here's more on McCaffrey's big game against Carolina.
MORE: McCaffrey stuffs scoreboard against former team, 49ers defense stifles Carolina in 20-9 win
Christian McCaffrey stats
McCaffrey had another huge game, this time against his former team.
- Rushes: 24
- Rushing yards: 89
- Rushing TDs: 1
- Receptions: 7
- Receiving yards: 53
- Receiving TDs: 0
- Scrimmage yards: 142
After tonight's game, McCaffrey leads the NFL in receptions and rushing attempts. If he finished it out, it would be a historic feat.
WOW:
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) November 25, 2025
After 12 weeks of the season, Christian McCaffrey will lead the NFL in receptions AND rushing attempts …
No player has EVER led the league in both in the same year pic.twitter.com/hsYmbPYZ2k
MORE: Why Jauan Jennings punched Tre'von Moehrig after MNF
Christian McCaffrey highlights
This game meant more for McCaffrey, who established himself among the NFL's elite while in Carolina.
Streets will never forget Carolina Panther @CMC_22
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
CARvsSF– 8:15pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/mgESfFZUbA
McCaffrey had an impact from the first whistle, touching the ball nine times on the first drive, a career high. It was capped off by a Juan Jennings 12-yard touchdown, which gave San Francisco the lead for the rest of the game.
San Francisco did not find the end zone again until the second half, when McCaffrey finally scored against his former team.
CMC with beautiful blocking ahead for a TD against his former team!
— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2025
CARvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/hKrOeso21z
By the end, the former Panther finished with 142 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, while becoming the NFL's leader in receptions and rushing attempts.
MORE: Why the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers