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

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

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

The 49ers had been in a position to stifle Rodgers and the Jets whereas dominating the time of possession 38:40 to 21:20.

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

As not too long ago as Friday, McCaffrey mentioned 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. Irrespective of, as Mason appeared the a part of a 10-year veteran working round, getting previous and over Jets defenders all night.

By the point Mason’s work was finished, the primary take a look at the 2024 Niners bared a putting resemblance to San Francisco groups of latest classic. After a little bit of a sluggish 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 dashing yards in his first profession begin with the group.

The 2022 undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech additionally grew to become 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 must.

QB breakdown: With the working 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: The 49ers’ run protection struggled down the stretch in 2023, giving up 4.8 yards per carry (thirtieth within the NFL) from Week 14 by means of the Tremendous Bowl. They tried to appropriate that within the offseason by hiring Nick Sorensen as defensive coordinator and allocating assets to extra massive our bodies on the line of defense akin to tackles Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott and finish Leonard Floyd.

Possibly it’s kind of early to name it a pattern, however the early returns had been good Monday as San Francisco restricted the Jets to 68 yards on 19 carries, a median of three.6 yards per try.

Pivotal play: With 8:56 left within the second quarter, the Niners trailed 7-6 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 extensive receiver Jauan Jennings working a deep crosser. Jennings hauled it in for a achieve 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 yr longer than anticipated, however the Jets lastly bought to expertise nearly a full sport with Rodgers. Sadly, their protection didn’t rise to the event and hindered any probability 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 identify for fantasy homeowners after his massive efficiency.

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

This sport bought away from them, nevertheless, and coach Robert Saleh waved the white flag with 4:32 left, pulling Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor. And Rodgers nonetheless hasn’t performed an entire sport in a Jets uniform.

QB breakdown: Rodgers (13-for-21, 167 yards) delivered just a few classic moments, together with a 36-yard landing move to Allen Lazard. That got here on a free play, his 18th profession landing move on free performs.

Rodgers threw the ball nicely, particularly on three straight third-down conversations within the first quarter. His worst throw was a deflected move that was intercepted. His mobility was so-so, as he was sacked as soon as and was below duress at occasions. Contemplating the lengthy layoff and rust, this was a good efficiency by the 40-year-old signal-caller.

Largest gap within the sport plan: Large receiver Garrett Wilson was on fireplace firstly, with 4 catches within the first 11 minutes. Then 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 all the offense.

The shortage of a constant No. 2 possibility within the passing sport loomed massive. Lazard’s 36-yard rating late within the third quarter was the primary offensive contact by a participant aside from Wilson or working again Breece Hall. Large receiver Mike Williams, in his first sport since ACL surgical procedure, performed solely a handful of snaps and was a nonfactor. Tight finish Tyler Conklin had no targets. Lazard was in a position to catch one other meaningless landing late from Taylor, but when the struggles proceed when issues matter, the decision to commerce for Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams will get louder and louder.

Troubling pattern: The Jets’ defensive entrance, the supposed energy of the unit, bought pushed round within the working sport. Clearly, the Jets missed strongside finish John Franklin-Myers (traded within the offseason). Massive defensive sort out Javon Kinlaw was speculated to make a distinction, however he had a quiet evening. All informed, New York allowed 180 yards on the bottom, most of it 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. After the sport, he mentioned that he took himself out as a result of he bought the wind knocked out of him on a sort out. 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)