The San Francisco 49ers faced the New York Jets in a Monday night matchup without their star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was inactive due to a calf injury. Despite this setback, backup Jordan Mason stepped up in his first career start, rushing for a career-high 147 yards on 28 carries and scoring his first career touchdown. Mason’s performance helped lead the 49ers to a 32-19 victory to start off the season on a positive note. The Jets’ defense, known for its stinginess in the past, struggled to contain Mason as he set the tone early on in the game.
After the Jets scored the game’s first touchdown, Mason began to find his stride on the 49ers’ fourth drive. Despite having a touchdown called back due to a penalty, Mason eventually scored on a five-yard run in the second half. Quarterback Brock Purdy also contributed to the team’s success, with Mason’s strong running opening up opportunities for the passing game. With the 49ers holding a comfortable 23-7 lead, a key interception by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles off a tipped pass from Aaron Rodgers helped secure the win for San Francisco.
Although Rodgers threw his first career touchdown pass in the game, connecting with Allen Lazard for a 36-yard strike, the 49ers effectively controlled the clock and sealed the victory with a strong running game led by Mason. Kicker Jake Moody tied a 49ers record by making all six of his field goal attempts, contributing to the team’s success. Mason’s performance as a backup running back and Purdy’s efficient passing played a significant role in the 49ers’ win over the Jets, showcasing the team’s depth and determination to succeed.
Looking at the statistics, Purdy finished the game with 231 passing yards, with Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel as his top receiving targets. Samuel also made an impact on the ground, adding to the offensive success alongside Mason. Meanwhile, Rodgers put up solid numbers for the Jets, completing 13-of-21 passes for 167 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Despite Rodgers’ efforts to rally the Jets, the 49ers’ strong running game and solid defense ultimately proved too much for New York to overcome.
The victory was a promising start to the season for the 49ers, showing their resilience and depth as a team. Mason’s breakout performance in the absence of McCaffrey highlighted the team’s ability to overcome adversity and find success with different players stepping up when needed. The 49ers’ balanced offensive attack, with contributions from both the running and passing game, as well as a reliable kicking game with Moody’s record-tying performance, played a crucial role in securing the win. Moving forward, the 49ers will look to build on this early success and continue their momentum throughout the season.
