49ers Dominate Jets, Dim Aaron Rodgers’ Comeback Hopes

The San Francisco 49ers delivered a decisive 32-19 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night, overshadowing Aaron Rodgers’ highly anticipated return to the NFL.

In the absence of Christian McCaffrey, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year who was sidelined with a calf injury, 49ers running back Jordan Mason stepped up spectacularly. Mason rushed for a career-high 147 yards on 28 carries and scored a five-yard touchdown early in the second half. Additionally, kicker Jake Moody contributed with six field goals, further securing San Francisco’s commanding win.

After the game, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy praised Mason’s performance, emphasizing how crucial it was for the team. “Of course, Christian [McCaffrey] is the best in the league at running back, and I’m not taking anything away from that,” Purdy said. “But I think JP did a great job stepping in, allowing us to run our offense and open up opportunities for other guys.”

Rodgers’ return marked his first NFL game since suffering a torn Achilles in the opening snap of the Jets’ 2023 season. However, the game started ominously for New York. On the fourth snap of the game, running back Breece Hall had the ball punched out by 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, leading to a fumble recovery by San Francisco.

Despite the rough start, Rodgers demonstrated his skills by leading a 14-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Hall. However, the Jets’ offense struggled to maintain momentum throughout the game. By late in the third quarter, the 49ers had established a comfortable lead, with the Jets managing only 21:20 minutes of possession—Rodgers’ lowest career mark.

Rodgers completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Reflecting on his performance, Rodgers acknowledged room for improvement: “I can play better,” he admitted. “I missed a few throws, including one to Garrett [Wilson] on our last drive. The interception was slightly off target as well. We had chances that I’d like to have back.”

Rodgers also criticized the team’s performance on key downs. “We were ineffective on first and second downs for much of the game,” he said. “We converted a few third downs, but we didn’t handle third-and-long situations well. Penalties, drops, and missed throws all contributed to our struggles.”

Despite McCaffrey’s absence, the 49ers’ offense thrived, accumulating 401 yards. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s team started the 2024 season on a high note following their heartbreaking 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

Receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a lucrative contract extension in the offseason, had a relatively quiet game with two catches for 28 yards. Nonetheless, his limited impact did not diminish the 49ers’ success on the field.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this game. The 49ers have demonstrated their depth and resilience, while the Jets will need to address their issues to support Rodgers effectively and improve their performance in upcoming games.