SF 49ers rout the NY Jets in season opener
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) fights for extra yards against New York Jets safety Tony Adams (22) in the second quarter of an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 09, 2024.Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2024.09.09 – A fill-in San Francisco running back Jordan Mason took top billing when he ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers rout the New York Jets with a 32-19 victory on Monday Night Football.
The former undrafted free agent overpowered New York’s highly acclaimed defense with his physical running style, helping the Niners score on eight straight drives.
“I thought he runs like he always does,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “When you get him the ball, he breaks tackles, usually gets more than we block for. When we had the good lanes, he always hit them and got a bunch. But, JP was awesome today.”
Despite playing at less than full strength Monday night at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers’ offense opened the 2024 season by resembling the 2023 version, which ranked second in the NFL and scored the second-most points in franchise history.
The defending NFC champions dismissed any bad off-season vibes inspired by the lengthy contract standoffs of Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams and the calf/Achilles injury that has plagued McCaffrey, the All-Pro running back whose unexpected pre-kickoff scratch appeared ominous.
But without the defending Offensive Player of the Year, and with a shaky-handed Aiyuk (two catches, 28 yards), the 49ers still gained 401 yards against a defense that ranked third in the NFL last season. After punting on their first possession, the 49ers scored on eight straight drives before a game-ending kneeldown. Their eight straight scores marked their longest such streak since at least 1978, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
To put their 32 points and 401 yards in perspective: The 49ers have averaged 29.8 points and 392.5 yards in McCaffrey’s 26 starts since he was acquired in 2022.
2024.09.09 (NY Jets vs SF 49ers) Game Highlights
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (#24) center, fights for extra yards against New York Jets safety Tony Adams (#36) in the second quarter of an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 09, 2024.Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2024.09.09 (NY Jets vs SF 49ers) Game Highlights – (FL-Highlights)
2024.09.09 (NY Jets vs SF 49ers) Game Highlights – (FL-Highlights)
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
Aaron Rodgers threw for 167 yards and one TD and also had an interception exactly 52 weeks to the day after his debut with New York ended with a torn Achilles after four snaps.
Rodgers had problems moving around in the pocket but still showed off the arm that helped him win four MVPs with the Green Bay Packers a few times in his first real action for the Jets.
“I can play better,” Rodgers said. “I missed a couple of throws. … I felt overall I got the ball out pretty good but there were some opportunities I’d like to have back.”
Mason made the most of his opportunities in his first career start. He had just 83 carries his first two seasons but took advantage of being one of the few healthy backs for the 49ers this summer to earn a larger role with McCaffrey’s sore calf and Achilles still bothering him.
“I’m really excited for him,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “He’s earned it. He’s the kind of guy where it’s not given to him. To see him go out and do what he did tonight, I’m so happy for him.”
Deebo Samuel added a 2-yard TD run and Jake Moody made a franchise record-tying six field goals to lead the 49ers to the win.
Quarterback Purdy’s 22nd career start was his first without McCaffrey and Purdy initially was wobbly, completing 2 of 6 passes for 20 yards in the first quarter. However, Purdy steadied himself (19-for-29, 231 yards, 89.9 rating) despite modest contributions from Aiyuk, who made his 2024 practice debut Sept. 3 because of his offseason contract standoff.
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Locked On Post Game)
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t play in the season opener against the New York Jets, an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 09, 2024. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Associated Press
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Locked On Post Game)
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Locked On Post Game)
The 49ers took control of the game around halftime. They got a field goal on a 12-play, 75-yard drive at the end of the first half and scored on Mason’s 5-yard run on an 11-play, 70-yarder to start the second half. That turned a 13-7 lead into a 23-7 advantage with the Jets getting only one kneel down snap during that stretch.
“That’s a championship outfit, and they introduced us to some championship football,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.
Rodgers then threw an interception on the next drive on a pass to Garrett Wilson that was deflected by Deommodore Lenoir into the hands of linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
Rodgers threw his first TD pass in 610 days when he took advantage of a free play when Leonard Floyd jumped off-sides to connect on a 36-yard scoring strike to Allen Lazard that cut the deficit to 26-13. Lazard caught a second TD in the closing seconds from Tyrod Taylor after the game had already been decided.
“We expect greatness when we step on the field,” Rodgers said. “There were moments, moments that felt pretty good but not sustained. I felt like if we could just get a first down we’d be rolling. But we had those three and outs which hurt us. I think a lot of stuff is correctable.”
New York went three-and-out on the opening drive this game with two handoffs and a dropped pass by Lazard before a setback on the fourth snap that was temporary instead of season ending this time around. Rodgers’ first completion as a Jet was caught by Breece Hall, who had the ball punched out by Fred Warner for a lost fumble that set up a 49ers field goal.
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) takes the jet sweep and runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the New York Jets in the second quarter of an NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 09, 2024.Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2024.09.09 – NY Jets vs SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
Rodgers got the Jets moving on the following drive, converting three third-down passes to Wilson to set up Hall’s 3-yard TD run. Rodgers went 6 for 7 for 61 yards on the drive.
New York didn’t get another first down in the half and trailed 16-7 at the break.
INJURIES
Jets: CB Michael Carter left with an ankle injury.
49ers: McCaffrey was inactive after being listed as questionable because of injuries to his calf and Achilles. … LG Aaron Banks left in the third quarter with a calf injury.
UP NEXT
Jets: Visit Tennessee on Sunday.
49ers: Visit Minnesota on Sunday.
Related: 49ers Preseason Game 3 tie 24-24 with the Raiders
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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