The San Francisco 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey to see what a supercharged sports activities automotive regarded like in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The outcomes have been nice.
However the hallmark of Shanahan’s offense, going again to Kyle’s dad Mike and his days with the Denver Broncos, has been taking operating backs no one else needed and having a ton of success with them. Backs like Jordan Mason.
With McCaffrey a shock inactive on Monday evening with a calf harm and Eli Mitchell on injured reserve, it was Mason’s probability to tackle an enormous position. And towards one of many NFL’s finest defenses, the undrafted free agent had one of the best sport of his profession in his first NFL begin.
Mason had 147 yards and a landing on 28 carries because the 49ers rolled to a surprisingly simple 32-19 win over the New York Jets on Monday evening.
Mason did not carry the 49ers, after all. Deebo Samuel Sr. break up backfield duties and had a landing. George Kittle made performs. Brock Purdy began gradual however obtained sizzling as he settled in. Purdy hit fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a 34-yard catch that arrange a Mason landing early within the third quarter that successfully took the Jets out of the sport. The 49ers’ protection is among the finest within the NFL and it confirmed. However Mason lived out what each backup desires of, getting his probability and shining when the highlight was on him.
Curiously, Mason informed ESPN’s Lisa Salters in a postgame interview he discovered he’d begin “perhaps Friday, Friday evening, one thing like that.” If true, he definitely had extra time to prepare than scrambling fantasy soccer managers who had McCaffrey of their lineups.
“I by no means informed Jordan he was going to start out,” Shanahan informed reporters postgame. “I informed him he needed to be prepared a bunch. Which may’ve been [running backs coach] Bobby [Turner Jr.] or any individual making an attempt to pump him up. I knew he was going to must play lots. I informed him it wasn’t going to be like standard. … However he did not know for positive he was doing that till right now.”
The 49ers’ offense regarded nearly as good as ever, scoring on eight straight possessions after a punt to start out the sport. San Francisco‘s protection wrecked Aaron Rodgers‘ return to the lineup after he missed nearly all of final season with a torn Achilles. Rodgers accomplished 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards, one landing and one interception.
The 49ers are nonetheless higher with McCaffrey, clearly. However the 49ers are the uncommon crew that may put an undrafted free agent within the place of the reigning NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months and look simply nearly as good on offense.
49ers roll previous the Jets
The evening did not begin that unhealthy for the Jets. Rodgers, taking part in simply his second sport with New York and his first that lasted greater than 4 snaps, led a powerful landing drive late within the first quarter. Breece Corridor scored on the finish of it and the Jets led 7-3.
New York’s protection regarded good early on. The Jets pressured Purdy and contained the run. After a Corridor fumble in Jets territory, New York obtained a fast three-and-out and the 49ers settled for a area objective. It appeared at that time just like the 49ers would possibly wrestle to maneuver the ball all evening towards a deep and spectacular protection.
However the 49ers figured it out. They gave Purdy a while and he discovered the open receiver, like he often does. Even with Brandon Aiyuk trying rusty after sitting out all of August searching for a brand new contract, Samuel, Kittle and Juwan Johnson made performs.
Mason scored to provide the 49ers a 23-7 lead within the third quarter, after which Rodgers made his first large mistake. He hesitated underneath stress, then tried to squeeze in a move to Garrett Wilson. However 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir had nice protection, tipped the move and it was picked off by linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. It was simply previous midway by means of the third quarter however the sport appeared over. It isn’t just like the 49ers’ protection was going to permit that a lot.
The season wasn’t even three quarters previous for the 49ers, however they regarded like among the best groups in soccer once more. Even with out McCaffrey, among the best gamers within the NFL.
Jets nonetheless have work to do
Monday evening’s efficiency needed to be disheartening for the Jets. They got here into the season with renewed optimism with Rodgers again, they usually did not appear like they have been on the 49ers’ degree. However it’s simply the primary week of the season. Rodgers specifically ought to get higher as soon as he knocks off some rust. He had performed solely 4 regular-season snaps since January of 2023, in spite of everything. New York ought to find yourself positive this season.
The best way the Jets obtained buried in all probability stated extra concerning the 49ers. The Jets will find yourself with one of many NFL’s finest defenses however the 49ers have been capable of transfer them on the road, opening up holes for Mason, and there at all times gave the impression to be some receiver open when Purdy wanted it. The 49ers’ protection is among the NFL’s finest and that is an enormous purpose Rodgers’ first sport again from harm was so quiet.
We’ll see how the Jets bounce again. We all know what to anticipate from the 49ers by now. They are a Tremendous Bowl contender once more. Simply think about how significantly better they will look when McCaffrey is again within the lineup.
