SANTA CLARA — Here go the 49ers and Christian McCaffrey on another playoff push. This time, they’re pulling along a third-string defense, at least at middle linebacker for the next couple of weeks.

Should they squeeze into the NFC’s seven-team playoff field, their veteran-laden and highly compensated offense will lead the way, further underscoring the NFL’s offensive-oriented, fantasy-football-friendly world.

McCaffrey rules that galaxy. He is the NFL’s most productive asset.

And his dual-threat ability makes him coach Kyle Shanahan’s ultimate chess piece, which was immediately evident upon McCaffrey’s 2022 midseason trade from the Carolina Panthers. He’ll face them Monday night for the first time as the 49ers (7-4) host the upstart Panthers (6-5) at Levi’s Stadium.

McCaffrey’s product

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