The Panthers play their last game of the year on Sunday against the Saints. Despite playing on the road, New Orleans is favored to win by 12.5 points. That might scare off some Carolina fans who have gotten tired of seeing their team lose during this seven-game losing streak. However, if there’s one reason to watch it’s the potential for Christian McCaffrey to break some records.
Heading into Week 17, McCaffrey needs just 67 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the season, which would make him just the third player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a year. McCaffrey says he’s preparing to play the entire game and coaches have not said anything about his workload.
McCaffrey says he’s preparing to play the whole game Sunday. Hasn’t had any conversation with coaches about his workload.
— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) December 26, 2019
For what it’s worth, McCaffrey’s workload is a little concerning. So far, he’s played 1,005 offensive snaps, or 94.8% of the team’s total. History says that running backs who have special statistical seasons like this one tend to never reach those same numbers again.
The Panthers may have a unicorn in McCaffrey, though. Riding him as long as they can makes sense for an interim head coach who is trying his best to win games, despite what it might mean for draft position.
Whether it’s Perry Fewell or somebody else, whoever the next head coach is has to think long and hard about the potential of running McCaffrey into the ground. For now, sit back and enjoy the show.
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