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The Carolina Panthers don’t have much to play for in Week 17, but they aren’t going to pull any punches against the New Orleans Saints. Panthers offensive coordinator Scott Turner told ESPN’s David Newton that he plans to funnel as many touches as possible to running back Christian McCaffrey, who is close to making NFL history as just the third player to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
McCaffrey needs 67 yards through the air to join that company, having already racked up 1,361 rushing yards this year. He collected 69 receiving yards against the Saints in their meeting earlier this season, including a touchdown grab, which is slightly higher than his season average (62.2). He’s averaged 58.4 receiving yards per game against the Saints in five previous games.
If McCaffrey does go the distance, he’ll take his place next to two NFL legends: San Francisco 49ers great Roger Craig (1,050 rushing yards and 1,016 receiving yards in 1985) and then-St. Louis Rams star Marshall Faulk (1,381 rushing yards and 1,048 receiving yards in 1999). It’s a testament to McCaffrey’s athleticism, durability, and versatile set of skills that he’s put the team on his back this season and put up this level of production.
Hopefully, the Saints defense will be prepared to deny him that spot next to Craig and Faulk. They could be short-handed after losing defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins to injured reserve a few weeks ago, and with defensive backs Marcus Williams and Eli Apple exiting last week’s game with the Tennessee Titans. Just because they’re almost to the playoffs doesn’t mean they can overlook this opponent.
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