49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, running with ‘extra anger,’ fuels historic performance
Anger #Anger
San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey rushes during 3rd quarter of Niners’ 41-23 win over Seattle Seahawks in NFC Wild Card Playoffs in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, January 14, 2023.
Two days after tight end George Kittle said Christian McCaffrey had been playing “pissed off,” the San Francisco 49ers running back immediately made it clear Saturday he was still running angry.
McCaffrey, in the second playoff game of his six-season career, had a 68-yard run on his first carry in a 41-23 wild-card win over the Seahawks, which helped kickstart a historic team performance: The 49ers became the second playoff team to have 500-plus yards, 40-plus points and no turnovers, according to the Associated Press.
And the party really began with about eight minutes left in the first quarter when McCaffrey received clearing blocks from Kittle and left tackle Trent Williams and sprinted through a massive alley on a 68-yard scamper down the sideline. It was the third-longest run in franchise playoff history behind Roger Craig (80 yards, 1989) and Hugh McElhenny (71, 1957).
McCaffrey scored on a 3-yard catch four plays later to give the 49ers a 10-0 lead. He finished with 119 yards on 15 carries and suggested he wasn’t overly thrilled with his performance.
“There’s always things — like you made the wrong cut here or did something wrong here,” McCaffrey said. “And that’s football.”
McCaffrey ranked third in the NFL in all-purpose yards (1,908) and tied for fourth in touchdowns (13), but he was not selected to the Pro Bowl and not voted to the All-Pro first or second team.
“I know,” Kittle said, “that he definitely has a little extra anger and passion.”
Omenihu’s moment: Superstar pass rusher Nick Bosa came up with the ball. But it was backup defensive end Charles Omenihu who made the game-shifting play.
With the 49ers clinging to a 23-17 lead, and Seattle facing 3rd-and-14 at the 49ers’ 19-yard line, Omenihu swatted quarterback Geno Smith’s right arm, forcing a fumble that Bosa recovered.
After the play, Bosa was shown on the sideline on the stadium’s video board. Bosa responded by pointing to his left, at Omenihu, trying to get his less-heralded teammates into the spotlight.
“Bosa is an incredible player,” Omenihu said. “But he’s also a selfless player.”
And Omenihu is a wild-card star. He had two sacks on Saturday after he had 1.5 sacks in a wild-card win at Dallas last season. Omenihu has just 4.5 regular-season sacks the past two seasons, all in 2022. Omenihu, 25, also has two forced fumbles in his two wild-card games with the 49ers, one fewer than he has in 61 career regular-season games.
“I told the guys yesterday, big-time players step up in big-time games,” Omenihu said. “Thank God I’ve been able to.”
Ward struggles: Unlike the 49ers’ previous meeting with Seahawks, cornerback Charvarius Ward didn’t travel with Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf, following him wherever he lined up.
And that was probably a good thing for the 49ers. Metcalf did most of his damage in their one-on-one matchups en route a massive performance: Metcalf had 10 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns, beating Ward down the left sideline on a 50-yard scoring grab in the second quarter.
Last month, in the 49ers’ 21-13 win at Seattle, Metcalf was targeted with six passes when covered by Ward and had four receptions for 33 yards.
“(Ward) didn’t shy away from anything,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He went up there and competed with them all game. Just like he did last time. D.K. is going to get some.”
This and that: Robbie Gould made all four of his field-goal attempts, improving to 25 of 25 in his postseason career. Chris Boswell (16 of 16) ranks second among kickers without a playoff miss. … Samuel (6 catches, 133 yards) became the first 49er to have 100-plus receiving yards in the postseason since Anquan Boldin in January 2014. … Samuel’s 74-yard touchdown catch was the third-longest reception in franchise playoff history. Freddie Solomon (January 1984) and Terrell Owens (January 2003) each had 76-yard TD catches.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch