49ers Spoil Aaron Rodgers’ Return with Dominant Win Over Jets

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a highly anticipated matchup, the San Francisco 49ers spoiled Aaron Rodgers’ much-awaited return to the NFL by defeating the New York Jets 32-19 on Monday night. The game marked Rodgers’ first full appearance since tearing his left Achilles nearly a year ago, and it also showcased the resilience and depth of the 49ers’ roster as they started the season on a high note.

49ers (1-0): Depth Shines in McCaffrey’s Absence

The defending NFC champions began their season without star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was unexpectedly ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff due to calf and Achilles injuries. In his absence, backup running back Jordan Mason stepped up in a big way. Making his first NFL start, Mason looked every bit the seasoned pro, racking up 147 yards on 28 carries and scoring a touchdown. His performance was instrumental in the 49ers’ victory, setting a physical tone that the Jets couldn’t match.

Mason became the sixth 49er since 1970 to post over 100 rushing yards in his first career start, and the 10th undrafted 49er to achieve the feat under head coach Kyle Shanahan since 2017. Despite a slow start, the 49ers found their rhythm and dominated the Jets on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brock Purdy, though not heavily relied upon, made key plays when needed, completing 19 of 29 passes for 231 yards.

San Francisco’s defense also showed significant improvement from last season, particularly in stopping the run. Under new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, the 49ers limited the Jets to just 68 rushing yards on 19 attempts—a stark contrast to their struggles in the latter part of the 2023 season.

Jets (0-1): Defensive Struggles Overshadow Rodgers’ Return

For the Jets, the excitement of having Aaron Rodgers under center was quickly tempered by their defensive struggles. After a brief lead early in the game, the Jets allowed the 49ers to score on eight consecutive drives, effectively sealing their fate. Rodgers completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown to Allen Lazard in the third quarter. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Jets’ inability to contain Mason and the 49ers’ ground game.

One of the Jets’ biggest issues was the lack of a reliable secondary target for Rodgers. While wide receiver Garrett Wilson started strong with four catches in the first quarter, he disappeared from the game plan for much of the second and third quarters. The absence of other reliable receiving options, including a limited performance from Mike Williams in his return from ACL surgery, highlighted the Jets’ need for a more consistent offensive approach.

On the defensive front, the Jets struggled to stop the 49ers’ rushing attack, allowing 180 yards on the ground. Key offseason departures and the absence of All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner for parts of the game only exacerbated these issues, as the 49ers were able to move the ball with ease.

Looking Ahead

The 49ers will look to build on this strong start as they head to Minnesota to face the Vikings next Sunday. With McCaffrey’s status still uncertain, the team will likely continue to rely on Mason to carry the load. Meanwhile, the Jets will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans. If they hope to secure their first win of the season, both the offense and defense will need to make significant adjustments.

The 2024 season opener was a tale of two teams: one showing the depth and resilience needed to contend for a title, and the other facing early questions about their ability to deliver on high expectations. As both teams move forward, the lessons learned from this game will be crucial in shaping their respective seasons.