No sense in worrying about the workload of the 49ers’ indestructible Christian McCaffrey.
Not after 303 rushes (for 1,179 yards), 96 receptions (for 890 yards) and 17 touchdowns. Coach Kyle Shanahan has fielded questions ever since McCaffrey arrived three seasons ago about the running back’s workload. As much as Shanahan would like to spell McCaffery and his 29-year-old body, which features a “stiff” back that has him on the injury list this week, the coach simply can’t bring himself to do it.
If all goes according to plan, McCaffrey will handle the ball more than any non-quarterback in the playoff field. He’ll be the prime mover if the 49ers hope to beat Seattle Saturday (ABC/ESPN, 5 p.m.) at Levi’s Stadium and earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed, which would give them a first-round bye and the possibility of never leaving their home en route to their sixth Lombardi Trophy — and first since the 1994 season.
A subjective ranking of the most important non-quarterback from each team still in the playoff hunt entering Week 18 puts McCaffrey at the top of the list when it comes to affecting a championship:
1. McCaffrey, RB, 49ers: Not sure how much McCaffrey dwells on it, but his opening-drive lost fumble in the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to Kansas City in Las Vegas in Super Bowl LVIII probably serves as motivation.
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia: It’s been a slog for Barkley running the ball as it has for McCaffery, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. But he lit up the postseason a year ago and has begun to break free of late.
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle: He’s been Sam Darnold’s target 155 times (the next highest is 67) with league-leading totals of 1,709 yards and 74 first downs, and also has 10 TD catches. He’s the most dangerous receiver in the playoff field.
4. Will Anderson, OLB/Danielle Hunter, DE, Houston: The NFL’s most dynamic edge duo have combined for 26 sacks and can ruin even the most effective passing game.
5. James Cook, RB, Buffalo: Josh Allen’s rushing sidekick leads the NFL with 1,606 yards and 100.4 yards per game on the ground.
6. Nik Bonitto, OLB, Denver: The fourth-year pro has established himself as one of the NFL’s top edge rushing threats for a championship-level defense with 26 sacks over the last two seasons.
7. Puka Nacua, WR, L.A. Rams: His behavior may have been a little erratic of late, but 109 catches for 1,639 yards and nine touchdowns make him dangerous. Even more so if Davante Adams is healthy on the other side.
8. Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago: Tight ends are important come playoff time, and Loveland (48 receptions 622 yards, 5 TDs) has the look of a future star as a first-round draft pick out of Michigan.
9. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England: Expect coach Mike Vrabel to run early and often to support second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Henderson has 858 yards and averages 5.1 yards per carry.
10. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore: The Ravens might not even make the playoffs because John Harbaugh stopped using the NFL’s most powerful back in a key loss to New England. He won’t make that mistake again.
11. T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh: The eight-time Pro Bowler has been slowed by a punctured lung, but he may be needed to take over the game if the Steelers hope to win the division and be competitive in the playoffs.
12. Jacobi Meyers, WR, Jacksonville: The Jaguars’ passing game and quarterback Trevor Lawrence have blossomed since Meyers was gifted by the Raiders at midseason.
13. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay: Like McCaffrey and Barkley, Jacobs (4.0 yards per carry) has found the going tough, but he’s scored 13 touchdowns and Jordan Love needs him for offensive balance.
14. Tuli Tuipulotu, OLB, L.A. Chargers: The second-round edge player out of USC has exceeded all expectations with 13 sacks.
15. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay: Evans bounced back from a Week 7 collarbone fracture. Has 52 receptions for 801 yards and six touchdowns in 10 playoff games and should be Baker Mayfield’s go-to target.
Seattle's Jaxon Smith Njigba (11) has helped carry the Seahawks passing offense to a potential top seed in the NFC. AP PhotoNFC outlook (and potential playoffs matchup)
Bye: 1. Seattle (13-3): Quarterback Sam Darnold’s next step is to flourish at the end instead of flopping as he did a year ago with Minnesota.
Seahawks’ final game: at 49ers, 5 p.m. Saturday
No. 7 Green Bay (9-6-1) at No. 2 Chicago (11-5)
Packers’ final game: at Minnesota (8-8)
Jordan Love has been out with a concussion. If he clears protocol, does Matt LaFleur try to get him some work with Green Bay locked in at No. 7?
Bears’ final game: vs. Detroit (8-8)
Chicago is the NFC North champ. Could be overtaken by Eagles for the No. 2 seed with a loss to Lions.
No. 6 L.A. Rams (11-5) vs. No. 3 Philadelphia (11-5)
Rams’ final game: vs. Arizona (3-13)
The Rams can’t do worse than the No. 6 seed, but can get the No. 5 spot if they beat Arizona and Seattle beats the Niners. Coach Sean McVay said after the Rams’ loss Monday in Atlanta that he would play starters in Week 18.
Would the Eagles prefer hosting Green Bay or the Rams? One of the more maligned 11-win teams you’ll see.
Eagles’ final game: vs. Washington (3-13)
No. 5 49ers (12-4) at No. 4 Carolina (8-8)
49ers’ final game: vs. Seattle (13-3), Saturday, 5 p.m.
A short week of preparation and the iffy status of Trent Williams and George Kittle are factors heading into battle for top seed. Not that injuries have had much impact on 49ers so far.
Panthers’ final game: at Tampa Bay (7-9), Saturday
Carolina captures the NFC South with a win and can even win the division with loss to Bucs if Atlanta beats New Orleans, which would create a three-way tie.
Still alive
Tampa Bay (7-9): The fading Bucs can still be the NFC North representative with a win over Carolina and a loss or tie by the Falcons against Saints.
Bucs’ final game: vs. Carolina (8-8), Saturday
The performance of running back James Cook (4) will go a long way toward determing if Buffalo is a viable Super Bowl team. Getty ImagesAFC outlook
Bye: No. 1 Denver (13-3): With the Chargers expected to pull the plug on Justin Hebert in the finale, the Broncos are set up nicely to finish with the top seed and a bye.
Broncos’ final game: vs. L.A. Chargers (11-5)
No. 7 Buffalo (11-5) at No. 2 New England (13-3)
I honestly didn’t hate Sean McDermott’s decision to go for two even though Bills lost 13-12 to Eagles in Week 17. It saved them physically from an overtime, and likely wouldn’t alter seeding for playoff opener.
Bills’ final game: vs. N.Y. Jets (3-13)
Patriots’ final game: vs. Miami (7-9)
New England could in theory get to No. 1 if Denver loses to the Chargers; Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has a better shot at keeping his job at 8-9 than 7-10.
No. 6 L.A. Chargers (11-5) at No. 3 Jacksonville (12-4)
Chargers’ final game: at Denver (13-3)
Trey Lance gets his chance to bounce the Broncos from the top seed. Jim Harbaugh and Co. are locked in at No. 6
Jaguars’ final game: vs. Tennessee (3-13)
A 13-4 season is almost assured. Liam Coen is not getting enough run in Coach of the Year talk.
No. 5 Houston (11-5) vs. No. 4 Pittsburgh (9-7)
Texans’ last game: at Indianapolis (8-8)
Houston can win the NFC South on tiebreakers, but needs Tennessee to beat Jacksonville. Good luck with that.
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A pretty discouraging offensive performance against Cleveland puts Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin in doubt to hold on.
Still alive
Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Derrick Henry is on a roll. Can he barrel through the Steelers and earn NFC North title and home wild card opener?
Ravens’ last game: at Pittsburgh (9-7)
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