Matt Breida Leading NFL In Rushing

Photo credit to @MattBreida via Twitter

NFL

Matt Breida Leading NFL In Rushing

With Jerick McKinnon out for the season, the San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida has stepped up, filling his shoes in a big way. McKinnon tore his ACL during the pre-season, resulting in the run game being left up to Breida and Alfred Morris.

When the 49ers announced that McKinnon was gone for the season, many questioned if their run game would suffer. After two weeks of the NFL season, it is so far the complete opposite.

At the end of week two, Breida currently leads the NFL in rushing with a total of 184 yards. 134 of those yards came during the Niners week two win over the Detroit Lions. He has averaged 8.4 yards per carry with a total of 22 carries thus far.

Week 2 Touchdown

Matt Breida came away from week two with an impressive 66-yard TD run. Breida made a break down the right-side of the field before cutting back to the left. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon assisted Breida down the field, blocking Lions corner back Nevin Lawson.

Kyle Shanahan was impressed with Breida’s running ability against the Lions. In particular, the way he was able to take the opportunities presented to him and exploit them.

“There were a few runs that we felt we had a chance going into the game to hit.” Shanahan said. “When we did get those, there was zero hesitation. He hit them. The way you have days like that is when you get those opportunities and you turn them into home runs. He got that one in particular. There was a number of other explosives he got. He had some good looks and then he made them into some really good looks with what he did after.”

Matt Breida has been nominated as FedEx Ground Player of the Week due to his standout performance.

This week will see the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have been on fire the opening two weeks and are favorites going into the game. If Breida is able to bring that explosiveness he has shown so far, the Chiefs defense will have to watch out!

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Photo credit to @MattBreida via Twitter