Christian McCaffrey came back Sunday in Carolina's 33-31 loss to Kansas City Sunday, and he made a difference in every way but one.
McCaffrey made the Panthers' offense more potent. More exciting. More versatile. He scored on a 9-yard reception and a 1-yard run, as well as making one of the best catches you'll ever see for a 24-yard gain.
But when Panthers placekicker Joey Slye couldn't convert on a 67-yard field goal on the game's last play for what would have been a miraculous win, No. 22 couldn't get the Carolina Panthers across the finish line. And victories, to McCaffrey, are the most important statistic of all.
There also was some question after the game as to whether McCaffrey had been injured again. He came out during the Panthers' final drive after being tackled hard after a catch, flexing his right shoulder/collarbone area and grimacing.
Trainers worked on McCaffrey briefly, and he returned to play again during the drive before leaving once more before Carolina's final offensive snap. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule had no injury update on McCaffrey after the game. McCaffrey didn't speak to the media but is expected to be available to answer questions Monday, the Panthers said.
The Panthers led the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 17-13 at halftime and played a remarkably aggressive game, including a fake punt, two onside kicks and three fourth-down conversions. Still, they weren't able to hold off a Kansas City surge in the second half led by dazzling quarterback Patrick Mahomes (four TD passes).
McCaffrey had 151 total yards — 69 rushing, 82 receiving — on 28 touches. He scored two touchdowns to give him six TDs for the season in only three games. The running back caught all 10 balls thrown to him.
It was a ton of production, and yet it still wasn't quite enough.
And so the weirdest streak for the Panthers continues. McCaffrey is obviously their best player, an All-Pro at two positions in 2019. And yet Carolina is 0-11 with McCaffrey in the lineup in their past 17 games and 3-3 without him. Unexplainable, really, but true.
