49ers' Brock Purdy endorses teammate Christian McCaffrey as NFL MVP - ESPN

GLENDALE, Ariz. — After San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had finished shredding the Arizona Cardinals for the second time this season to clinch the Niners' second consecutive NFC West division crown, he received a significant show of support in the race for the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Roughly 30 minutes following the Niners' 45-29 throttling of the Cardinals to improve to 11-3, quarterback Brock Purdy was asked what the case would be for McCaffrey to win MVP. Instead of offering arguments, Purdy provided an endorsement.

«I think Christian should be MVP,» Purdy said. «I really do believe that. He does everything for us… and so in my eyes that's an MVP.»

Purdy is always quick to deflect praise for others. But in this instance, it was more notable given that Purdy himself is considered one of the top contenders to win the award. And though Purdy had also just put the finishing touches on another big day, it was McCaffrey who once again shined brightest against the Cardinals.

Despite briefly departing the game in the second quarter with a knee issue, McCaffrey posted 18 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown on the ground and five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns through the air. In two games against the Cardinals this season, McCaffrey has 364 scrimmage yards on 50 touches to go with seven touchdowns.

Those seven touchdowns are tied for the most by any player against a team in a season in the Super Bowl era.

«Sometimes it's just the way it goes,» McCaffrey said. «You don't really know what games you're going to have big games.»

For McCaffrey, the big games have seemingly come just about every week as he continues to etch his name into San Francisco and NFL record books:

With a