49ers spoil Aaron Rodgers' return to Jets in dominant win

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers spoiled Aaron Rodgers‘ comeback occasion with the New York Jets on Monday, beating the quarterback in his first sport since tearing his left Achilles almost one 12 months in the past.

The defending NFC champs opened up their season with a 32-19 win over New York, and so they did it with out star operating again Christian McCaffrey — who was surprisingly ruled out proper earlier than kickoff.

The 49ers have been capable of stifle Rodgers and the Jets whereas dominating the time of possession 38:40 to 21:20.

Listed here are an important issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:

As not too long ago as Friday, McCaffrey stated he had no doubts that he was going to play Monday regardless of his calf and Achilles accidents. Which is why it was a shock when McCaffrey was dominated out 90 minutes earlier than kickoff.

However McCaffrey’s absence additionally created a chance for backup Jordan Mason — who had by no means performed greater than 27 offensive snaps in a sport — to start out for the primary time in his three NFL seasons. Regardless of, as Mason regarded the a part of a 10-year veteran operating round, getting previous and over Jets defenders all night.

By the point Mason’s work was carried out, the primary have a look at the 2024 Niners bared a hanging resemblance to San Francisco groups of latest classic. After a little bit of a gradual begin within the first quarter, the 49ers flipped the change and bodily dominated the Jets on either side of the ball.

It was Mason who set the tone. He completed with profession highs in carries (28) and yards (147). He added a landing and have become the sixth Niner since 1970 to submit 100-plus speeding yards in his first profession begin with the staff.

The 2022 undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech additionally turned the tenth undrafted 49er to hurry for 100-plus yards in a sport since coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, probably the most within the NFL in that span.

It is unclear what number of video games McCaffrey will miss, although with the subsequent two on synthetic surfaces (at Minnesota Vikings and at Los Angeles Rams), the Niners aren’t going to hurry him again, and Mason supplied loads of reassurance that they do not should.

QB breakdown: With the operating sport rolling, the 49ers did not want a lot from Brock Purdy. However he nonetheless delivered when wanted, and his efficiency would have been higher had it not been for some expensive drops, together with on the finish of first half when wideout Brandon Aiyuk dropped a would-be landing. Purdy completed 19-of-29 for 231 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Promising pattern: Perhaps it’s kind of early to name it a pattern, however the 49ers’ run protection struggled down the stretch in 2023, giving up 4.8 yards per carry (thirtieth within the NFL) from Week 14 via the Tremendous Bowl.

They tried to appropriate that within the offseason by hiring Nick Sorensen as defensive coordinator and allocating sources to extra massive our bodies on the defensive position corresponding to tackles Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott and finish Leonard Floyd.

It is just one sport however the early returns have been good Monday as San Francisco restricted the Jets to 68 yards on 19 carries, a mean of three.6 yards per try.

Pivotal play: With 8:56 left within the second quarter, the Niners trailed 13-6 and confronted a second-and-19 from New York’s 39 after a holding penalty worn out an 18-yard run from Mason.

Given a clear pocket and time to throw, Purdy ripped a throw to receiver Jauan Jennings operating a deep crosser. Jennings hauled it in for a acquire of twenty-two and a primary down. The Niners scored three performs later and by no means relinquished the lead. — Nick Wagoner

Subsequent sport: at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

It took a 12 months longer than anticipated, however the Jets lastly obtained to expertise an almost-full sport with Rodgers. Sadly, their protection didn’t rise to the event and hindered any likelihood of a triumphant return for Rodgers. The Jets led briefly, 7-3, then allowed eight — sure, eight — straight scoring drives.

The Jets turned the 49ers’ Mason into the nation’s hottest new title for fantasy house owners after his massive efficiency.

One of many the explanation why Rodgers needed to play for the Jets was their formidable protection, which saved them in most video games final season as they endured a quarterback roulette.

The sport obtained away from them, and coach Robert Saleh waved the white flag with 4:32 left within the sport, pulling Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor. And Rodgers nonetheless hasn’t performed a whole sport in a Jets uniform.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: Large receiver Garrett Wilson was on fireplace at first, with 4 catches within the first 11 minutes — after which he disappeared. He wasn’t focused once more till the third quarter, and that resulted in an interception. The Rodgers-to-Wilson connection went chilly, and so did the complete offense.

The dearth of a constant No. 2 choice within the passing sport loomed giant. Allen Lazard‘s 26-yard reception late within the third quarter was the primary offensive contact by a participant apart from Wilson or operating again Breece Hall. Large receiver Mike Williams, in his first sport since ACL surgical procedure, performed solely a handful of snaps and was a non-factor. Tight finish Tyler Conklin had no targets. If this turns into a weekly pattern, the decision to commerce for Las Vegas Raiders reciever Davante Adams will get louder and louder.

Troubling pattern: The Jets’ defensive entrance, the supposed power of the unit, obtained pushed round within the operating sport. Clearly, they missed strong-side finish John Franklin-Myers (traded within the offseason). Huge defensive sort out Javon Kinlaw was imagined to make a distinction, however he had a quiet evening. All informed, they allowed 180 yards on the bottom, most of them between the tackles. Holdout Haason Reddick most likely would not have helped the run protection, however he would’ve spiced up the lukewarm move rush.

Troubling pattern, half II: Curiously, All-Professional cornerback Sauce Gardner was on the sideline for 9 snaps within the second quarter. There was no medical concern, ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported throughout the sport. His absence was expensive, as Brock Purdy accomplished 6 of 6 passes with out Gardner on the sector. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent sport: at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)