Both have worthy cases as they keep piling up yards and touchdowns at a staggering pace that has positioned the Niners as the league’s most dangerous offense following a 45-29 victory Sunday (Monday in Manila) over the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s a great luxury for the 49ers (11-3).
“It means the offense is playing really well,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “We have the best running back in the NFL, so for him to get MVP consideration I think that’s his just due. Same with Brock, he’s been playing his butt off and for him to be in the conversation and to have him as a teammate, I couldn’t be more proud of both of these guys.”
Purdy threw four more touchdown passes Sunday to take over the NFL lead to go along with his league-best 119 passer rating and 9.9 yards per attempt.
McCaffrey gained 187 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns. He leads the NFL with 1,801 yards from scrimmage and is tied for the lead with 20 TDs.
The dynamic duo has helped San Francisco clinch the NFC West for a second straight season, but the Niners have much bigger goals than division titles or MVPs after losing in the NFC championship game the past two seasons.
San Francisco can earn the top seed and a first-round bye with wins in the final three games of the season, which would make for an easier path to the ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl since the 1994 season.
“I think obviously winning the division is very important. It’s a big step for us,” McCaffrey said. “I think everybody knows where we want to be. We know that each week, you have to bring your best. You’re going to get everybody’s best shot. So, the standard has to continue to rise.”