SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Through insinuation, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan wanted Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons to be a big night for running back Christian McCaffrey .

On Saturday, Shanahan challenged his team to get 40 carries against the Falcons, a number that would signify the Niners controlled the line of scrimmage and handed it to McCaffrey early and often.

Tight end George Kittle , making his return from a right hamstring injury that caused him to miss five games, was less subtle.

"Every Saturday night, our tight end coach [Brian] Fleury wants all the tight ends to get up in front of the room and set a goal," Kittle said. "Anywhere from dominate the edges, tight end touchdown, whatever goals. And my goal this week was CMC [to be] NFC Player of the Wee

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