49ers star running back reminds media it is not just a one-man show in San Francisco.
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t rely on a single star to dismantle the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
Instead, their 37-24 victory unfolded as a showcase of balance, depth, and collective execution.
With playmakers emerging from every angle, Tennessee’s defense spent four quarters reacting rather than dictating, a problem Christian McCaffrey says defenses routinely face against San Francisco.
Following the Week 15 win, McCaffrey spoke about how the 49ers’ offensive identity creates constant stress for opposing coordinators.
“One of the things I realized early when I got here a few years ago was, if the defense is trying to stop somebody, it’s difficult, because there are so many players that can make plays on any given game,” McCaffrey said. “So, whatever the strategy is for the defense, guys are going to be open.”
That concept came to life against the Titans.
Any attempt to neutralize one weapon only opened the door for another. McCaffrey highlighted rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall as a prime example of the offense’s trickle-down effect.
“You got guys like Ricky [Pearsall] who are such elite playmakers that if you’re going to leave them open, eventually he’s going to have a game,” McCaffrey said. “And it goes the same way if you want to try to stop him. He opens up so much for us.”
The same dilemma exists when defenses focus on George Kittle or overcommit to stopping the run.
According to McCaffrey, that interconnectedness is what makes the offense thrive. “When you can play really good complementary football and selfless football, this team is really fun to be on,” he said.
Statistically, the 49ers’ performance reflected that mindset.
Brock Purdy delivered an efficient outing, completing 23 of 30 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing 44 yards with his legs.
McCaffrey logged 23 touches for 87 scrimmage yards, doing damage without dominating usage.
Kittle was a steady presence with eight catches for 88 yards and a score, while Pearsall paced the receivers with six grabs for 96 yards.
Jauan Jennings made the most of his opportunities, scoring twice on just three receptions.
In total, nine different 49ers touched the ball on offense, either as runners or receivers, a telling indicator of how widely Shanahan spreads responsibility.
That level of diversity only amplifies the difficulty of defending San Francisco, particularly within Shanahan’s misdirection-heavy scheme.
That said, the matchup favored the 49ers.
Tennessee entered the game with the NFL’s 26th-ranked defense, struggled mightily in the red zone, and lost three safeties before halftime.
Those issues played a role in San Francisco scoring touchdowns on its first five possessions.
Even with those caveats, the takeaway remains the same: the 49ers’ offense is built on shared production rather than individual glory, and as McCaffrey emphasized, that selfless approach is what makes San Francisco both dangerous and sustainable.