Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey might be the most difficult backfield duo to defend in the modern NFL. Both are high-quality dual threat play-makers at their respective positions. In addition to having a cannon for an arm (when it’s healthy), Newton is the best rushing quarterback in league history. Meanwhile, McCaffrey might be the top receiving running in football right now and that’s saying a lot given the competition involved.
Both are extremely difficult to bring down when they’re carrying the ball, if for different reasons. The two of them came in at No. 1 on Pro Football Focus’ list of the top rushing tandems in the league this year.
“McCaffrey was one of three running backs to avoid 20 missed tackles on both rushing and receiving attempts, and Newton tied for first among quarterbacks in forced missed tackles on rushing attempts (20) with far fewer attempts than his league-leading counterpart, Lamar Jackson. The pair’s elusiveness is a huge reason why they have the potential to be the best in the league.”
It has been a while, but Newton has been known to post around 750 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns in a season on top of his passing production. As for McCaffrey, he only averaged 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie, but he boosted that average to an even five in year two. He’s scored nine rushing touchdowns so far.
Their ability to run the read option just makes them that much more difficult to scheme against.
If the offensive line holds together, Norv Turner won’t be able to use the excuse that he didn’t have enough talent to compete.
