By Matt Barrows, David Lombardi, Zack Rosenblatt and Lauren Merola
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ first full game in 20 months — since his 2022 season finale with the Green Bay Packers — not only lacked rhythm but attempts in a 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night at Levi Stadium.
The Jets failed to build momentum with only 14 first downs, possessing the ball for roughly 21 minutes. The 49ers, meanwhile, nabbed 24 first downs and controlled the pace with an imposing run game, owning the ball for nearly 39 minutes.
Jordan Mason, who started for the 49ers in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey, led the charge on the ground with 147 yards.
It’s your night Jordan Mason #FTTB
📺: #NYJvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/4IRdbxk2xE— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2024
The Jets’ defense kept the 49ers at bay through the first quarter, limiting San Francisco to just one field goal, but an array of missed tackles and failure to set the edge in the following frames saw the 49ers run up the field and scoreboard.
New York has now allowed 28+ points in six of its last nine games.
An uncharacteristic performance by the Jets defense
The Jets’ defense does not look like the elite unit of the last couple of years. Something was off with the defense all night — the tackling was poor and the pass rush barely made an impact. Will McDonald and Michael Clemons were called upon to fill in while Haason Reddick stays away from the team — and the Jets might be wishing Reddick would just show up after this performance.
There was a strange sequence in the second quarter where star cornerback Sauce Gardner left the game without an injury. McCaffrey missing this game was supposed to be a boon for the Jets — instead Mason gashed them all night. It was a poor and disappointing effort from a unit that has carried the Jets for the last couple of years. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer
Jordan Mason’s big night …
The 49ers didn’t have McCaffrey, but that certainly wasn’t a problem for an offense that showed it could win with traditional balance based on the ground-and-pound game.
Mason, in his first career start, rushed for 147 yards on a workmanlike 28 carries. His violent style was a perfect antidote to the Jets’ speedy, coverage-oriented defense. The 49ers complemented Mason with another backfield bruiser in Deebo Samuel, whose early touchdown run capped a Mason-heavy drive and put San Francisco in control of the game.
The 49ers, who finished as the NFL’s No. 1 offense, certainly aren’t firing on full cylinders yet. They’ll need McCaffrey back for that, and receiver Brandon Aiyuk will have to play his way into better shape. But the fact that the 49ers were able to grind the Jets into submission even at less than 100 percent is a hugely positive sign.
On top of Mason’s bulldozing success, the 49ers stopped the run on the other side of the ball — a change from last year, when they finished as the No. 26 run defense in the NFL. Running and stopping the run is a great formula. — David Lombardi, 49ers beat writer
… and Brandon Aiyuuk’s quiet one
Aiyuk had a decidedly quiet night, catching just two of his five targets for 28 yards. As expected, he didn’t play anything close to a full game following his long, contract hold-in.
A typical play saw Aiyuk run deep, then jog to the sideline while Chris Conley took his place. Of course, the 49ers didn’t need him much on a night they leaned on their running game and third-down catches from Jauan Jennings.
Consider Monday’s opener a warm-up for Aiyuk and the 49ers’ still-coalescing passing attack. — Matt Barrows, 49ers beat writer
How did Rodgers look in his first game back?
Aaron Rodgers showed some flashes that he was truly back — especially on a 70-yard scoring drive in the first quarter that looked unlike anything the Jets did on offense last year, an efficient period featuring Garrett Wilson early and often. Rodgers also had a vintage free-play touchdown throw to Allen Lazard — his first touchdown pass as a Jets quarterback. But otherwise, Rodgers and the Jets offense was inconsistent — including when Rodgers forced a bad pass to Wilson that was tipped and intercepted.
It was another boring effort — and the Jets will need more against the Tennessee Titans next week. — Rosenblatt
Required reading
(Photo: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
