49ers ruin Aaron Rodgers’ comeback from Achilles injury with convincing 32-19 win on ‘Monday Night Football’

49ers ruin Aaron Rodgers’ comeback from Achilles injury with convincing 32-19 win on ‘Monday Night Football’

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Aaron Rodgers’ return on Monday night didn’t go quite as expected.

The San Francisco 49ers steamrolled Rodgers and the New York Jets on Monday night to close out the opening week of the 2024 NFL season. The 49ers won 32-19 at Levi’s Stadium, even without star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was pulled from the game with a calf injury about an hour and a half before kickoff.

San Francisco took a 16-7 lead into the break, thanks to three deep field goals by Jake Moody and a 2-yard touchdown run by Deebo Samuel Sr. in the second quarter. It could have been more, but star 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk dropped an extremely catchable touchdown pass just before halftime — leaving Peyton Manning extremely frustrated on ESPN 2.

The 49ers quickly added 10 points in the third quarter, thanks to a long, 11-play drive that Jordan Mason capped with a 5-yard touchdown run. Rogers, who played just four plays last season before injuring his Achilles, threw his first touchdown pass of the game late in the third quarter, hitting former Green Bay Packer teammate Allen Lazard for a 36-yard touchdown pass right up the middle after he was sidelined. It was his first touchdown pass in more than 600 days.

But Moody scored two field goals in the fourth quarter, bringing his total to six on the night, to hold the Jets at bay and lead San Francisco to a 13-point victory. The Jets scored one final touchdown in the final minute, and did so with backup Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. Rodgers was pulled in the final minutes after the Jets threw in the towel.

Brock Purdy went 19 of 29 for 231 yards for the 49ers in the win. Mason ran for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries while filling in for McCaffrey. Jauan Jennings had 64 receiving yards on five catches.

Rogers went 13 of 21 for 167 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Jets. Breece Hall, who scored in the first half, had 54 rushing yards on 16 carries. Lazard finished with a game-high 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six catches.

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  • Game over. 49ers romp, 32-19. A statement game for the 49ers. Lots of questions for a Jets team with high expectations.

    Jordan Mason is a star player in Week 1, replacing Christian McCaffrey. The rookie running back rushed for 28 times for 147 yards (5.3 YPA) and a touchdown in his NFL debut. If McCaffrey finishes healthy, it could be a blessing in disguise for the 49ers.

    Jake Moody added six field goals as the 49ers scored on eight consecutive drives to break the game open.

    San Francisco dominated on both sides of the ball, holding Breece Hall to 54 yards on 16 carries (3.4 YPA). The 49ers won the time of possession battle, 38:10-21:20, and outgained the Jets on the ground, 180 yards to 68.

    Aaron Rodgers completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his effective Jets debut. Brock Purdy went 19 of 29 for 231 yards without a touchdown or a turnover. Both of San Francisco’s touchdowns came on the ground.

    The 49ers visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. The Jets visit the Tennessee Titans.

  • Tyrod Taylor finds Allen Lazard for a garbage-time touchdown to cut San Francisco’s lead to 32-19. 25 seconds left with Aaron Rodgers on the bench. Not much to feel good about for the Jets tonight.

  • The 49ers burn 3:02 and score three more points with Jake Moody’s sixth field goal of the night. San Francisco leads 32-13 with 4:20 left and has scored on eight straight possessions. This one is all but over.

  • Breece Hall has been in the clutch all night. The 49ers stop him on third-and-1, then Aaron Rodgers throws an incomplete on fourth. The 49ers take over on downs at midfield, leading 29-13 with 7:22 remaining in regulation.

  • After a timeout, the 49ers send out the field goal unit. Jake Moody connects from 23 yards out to extend San Francisco’s lead to 29-13. Moody’s fifth field goal of the night. Still a two-possession game, but the Jets would need two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to tie the game. 9:43 left in the fourth quarter.

  • The Jets stop the 49ers one yard short of first down on the 5-yard line. The 49ers line up as if they are going for it on fourth down.

  • Good stat here. Brock Purdy’s had a clean pocket most of the night.

  • Now the 49ers are inside the Jets’ 15-yard line. Aiyuk with a nice sideline grab of Purdy.

  • Brock Purdy finds Deebo Samuel for a gain of 26 yards and the 49ers are back within range at the Jets’ 32-yard line.

  • New York strikes back with a five-play touchdown drive. Aaron Rodgers is awarded a free play on a pre-snap penalty and finds Allen Lazard on a touchdown strike from 36 yards. Breece Hall’s 2-point conversion falls short. The Jets cut the 49ers’ lead to 26-13. This one isn’t over yet.

  • Jake Moody scores his fourth field goal of the night. It bounces off the left post and goes in from 53 yards. San Francisco leads 26-7. Everything is coming to the 49ers.

  • If Christian McCaffrey plays well, his absence could be a blessing for the 49ers tonight. Jordan Mason is breaking out in his NFL debut. He fumbled just 11 yards for a first down on second-and-10. 101 yards on 5.3 yards per carry with a touchdown midway through the third quarter.

  • Aaron Rodgers is intercepted. Demoderator Lenoir taps a ball intended for Garrett Wilson, and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles intercepts it on the tip. The 49ers have a chance to blow this game wide open.

  • Jordan Mason converts the chance into his first career touchdown. 49ers drive 70 yards to open the second half and take a 23-7 lead. San Francisco’s offense is in full swing despite the absence of Christian McCaffrey.

  • San Francisco knocks on the door. Brock Purdy throws a play-action pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who reels it in for a gain of 34 yards inside the Jets’ 5-yard line.

  • The 49ers move the ball again. A Jordan Mason run on third down results in a first down inside the New York 35-yard line.

  • Sauce Gardner is back in the game after being sidelined late in the first half. It is unclear why he was not on the field.

  • The 49ers kick off the second half with a 16-7 lead.

  • Here’s Aiyuk’s drop next to a chiding Peyton Manning:

  • Notable stats from the first half:

    Aaron Rodgers: 7 of 11 for 64 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers
    Garrett Wilson: 4 catches for 46 yards
    Breece Hal: 10 rushes for 25 yards, 1 touchdown

    Brock Purdy: 9 of 16 for 106 yards, no touchdowns or turnovers
    Jordan Mason: 11 rushes for 74 yards, 1 catch for 5 yards
    Brandon Aiyuk: 1 catch for 14 yards, 1 drop in the endzone

    Jets rush: 24 yards on 2.2 yards per attempt
    49ers rush: 104 yards on 5.2 yards per attempt

    San Francisco is overwhelming Breece Hall and the Jets’ run game. Jordan Mason, meanwhile, is filling in admirably for Christian McCaffrey to keep the 49ers’ offense moving. The rushing differential is the biggest difference in the game through the half.