In the season opener, the San Francisco 49ers made a statement as they took a 32-19 win over the New York Jets, effectively overshadowing Aaron Rodgers’ highly hyped return to the field. This was supposed to be one of the biggest comeback moments for Rodgers since he was playing his first game since tearing his left Achilles nearly a year ago. But the 49ers made sure that night belonged to them with a commanding performance.
Aaron Rodgers’ Return
Aaron Rodgers finally returned to action after a long injury layoff. The Jets were chomping at the bit to see their star quarterback do his thing finally, and Rodgers did indeed have some brilliance in the form of a 36-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard. These flashes of old form notwithstanding, the night did not go according to plan for the New York Jets.
The 49ers didn’t miss a beat without star Running Back Christian McCaffrey, a late scratch with calf and Achilles issues. That opened up an opportunity for Jordan Mason, the backup, and boy did he capitalize. Mason went for 147 yards on the ground with 28 carries and scored a TD, setting career highs in both categories. His effort in that aspect was important in aiding the 49ers to control the game’s tempo.
This was evident in the time of possession, as San Francisco controlled the clock for nearly 39 minutes, while the Jets had it for 21. This differential in time of possession worked to the 49ers’ advantage and wore down the Jets’ defense while significantly limiting their offense. The 49ers’ defense was also gigantic in the win, holding the Jets to just 68 yards on the ground on 19 carries, good for an average of 3.6 yards per rush. That’s the kind of improvement the 49ers were looking for in their run defense after last season, and their new additions and changes up front paid dividends on Sunday.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers overpowered the Jets’ defense, which was expected to be one of their strong suits. A defensive line built to be a pivotal cog could not hold off San Francisco’s running game. Additionally, the absence of All-Pro Cornerback Sauce Gardner for a part of the game proved costly, as the 49ers made key completions taking advantage of his absence.
In all, the San Francisco 49ers dominated their season-opening appearance as they headlined Aaron Rodgers’ homecoming with a 32-19 victory over the New York Jets. The game showed the great ability of the 49ers to adapt without their featured running back in the lineup. As for the Jets, the evening was riddled with missed opportunities and leaky defenses. Both teams will need to sort out their problems as the season goes on, building from lessons learned in this game.
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