Christian McCaffrey’s touchdown vs Falcons should have been penalty, ex-ref says

San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey took cost of the staff’s offensive efficiency in Sunday night time’s win over the Atlanta Falcons.

However the game-sealing landing late within the recreation was controversial, and a former NFL referee believes it shouldn’t have counted.

The 49ers led 13-10 with simply over two minutes to play when Mac Jones snapped the ball on the four-yard line and, as he did for many of the recreation, handed the ball to McCaffrey. However despite the fact that it seemed just like the Falcons protection was stuffing McCaffrey’s try for his second landing of the sport, the pile stored shifting till it fell into the coloured paint.

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San Francisco 49ers offensive sort out Dominick Puni (77) celebrates as San Francisco 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey (23) scores a landing through the fourth quarter towards the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium on October 19, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Pictures)

Referees known as a landing and McCaffrey celebrated because it was clear the 49ers seemed like they have been on the cusp of victory.

Nevertheless, video replay clearly confirmed a number of teammates pulling McCaffrey into the tip zone. Former NFL referee Terry McAulay, a guidelines analyst at NBC, joined the “Sunday Evening Soccer” broadcast after play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico requested if he thought the landing ought to stand.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY’S OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION, 49ERS’ DEFENSE HELP STYMIE FALCONS TO WIN

“It’s unlawful to elevate or pull the runner in any path,” McAulay responded. “This could have been a foul for serving to the runner, 10 meter penalty from the spot of the foul.”

San Francisco 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball previous Atlanta Falcons defensive finish James Pearce Jr. (27) through the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium on October 19, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Pictures)

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If a penalty have been known as, not solely would the landing not stand, however the 49ers would have needed to transfer again a big distance. It had the prospect to be a game-changing play for the Falcons, however Michael Penix & Co. was compelled to play catch-up as there was not a lot time left.

Nevertheless, this particular punishment is just not one which officers typically hand down. In actual fact, based on the Football zebraswhich gives evaluation and analysis into NFL officiating, the final time a participant was penalized for pulling a teammate for yardage occurred in a playoff recreation in January 1991.

Whether or not he crossed the purpose line or not, McCaffrey had a terrific night time as his 2025 season stays spectacular.

San Francisco 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates after scoring a landing through the second quarter towards the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium on October 19, 2025. (Kyle Terada/Imagn Pictures)

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He had 24 carries for 129 yards with two speeding scores, whereas main the 49ers with seven catches for 72 yards, shifting his staff to five–2 via the primary seven video games of the season.

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