The return of Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be a memorable one for the Jets as they began their season on Monday Night Football against the 49ers.
Instead, it was the complete opposite.
San Francisco showed how and why the organization are the reigning NFC champions, scoring on eight consecutive drives in a dominant 32-13 victory over the Jets to wrap up Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
49ers' running back Jordan Mason, who got the last minute start with reigning AP Offensive Player Christian McCaffrey inactive, had a career night, finishing with a career-high in carries (28), rushing yards (147) and scored a touchdown for San Francisco.
Following a solid opening quarter where they held a 7-3 lead, the Jets' defense was gashed over and over throughout the game, giving Rodgers and Co. very limited time to get in rhythm on offense and were outscored 29-6 over the final three quarters of action.
Gang Green now has a quick turnaround as they have a short week with another road matchup, now facing the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.
Here was our live analysis and observations from the Jets' 32-19 loss to the 49ers in Week 1:
Aaron Rodgers taken out late in fourth quarter with score out of reach
With the 49ers scoring yet again, the 40-year-old signal caller was taken out by head coach Robert Saleh for backup QB Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor, who was a backup and started games for the Giants' last season, led a touchdown drive with under a minute remaining to cut the 49ers' lead to 32-19 (two-point conversion failed) to make the scoreboard closer than the game actually was.
Jets fail to convert on 4th-and-1
It's a turnover on downs for the Jets' offense as Aaron Rodgers pass to Garrett Wilson is broken up, giving the ball to the 49ers' at midfield. Barring a massive comeback, the Jets will drop to 0-1 on the season.
49ers can't stop scoring, now have points on six consecutive drives
With under 10 minutes remaining, the Jets hope of pulling off an upset are near obsolete as San Francisco continues to put points on the board, now up 29-13.
Aaron Rodgers throws first touchdown pass as a member of the Jets
Finally some positive for Gang Green as Rodgers finds his former Packers' teammate Allen Lazard for a 36-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
It's the 610th of his career, as he's on the hunt this season to pass his predecessor, Brett Favre, for the fourth most passing touchdowns in NFL history (508).
Deflected pass leads to Aaron Rodgers first interception as a member of the Jets
Things can't get much worse for Gang Green, as Rodgers' is picked off on the third play of their first drive of the second half.
The defense will now have to stop the 49ers' from realistically scoring any points on their ensuing drive to keep this game within reach.
Jets defense continues to falter as 49ers' extend lead
San Francisco opens second half with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that was capped off by a five-yard rushing touchdown from Jordan Mason.
Gang Green's defense has now allowed points on five consecutive drives as they can't get off the field when needed, leading to more and more large chunk plays by the 49ers.
Heading into their first drive of the third quarter, the Jets' are being outgained 285-95 as they now face a severe up hill battle on the road.
First half thoughts as Aaron Rodgers, Jets trail 16-7 heading into halftime
The storyline of the first half has to be the 49ers' dominance in the second quarter. Not only did they outscore the Jets' 13-0, but outgained Gang Green 158-5 after having the 79-52 at the end of the first quarter.
The final three drives of the half for San Francisco all resulted in points and lasted 4:47 or longer with at least nine plays from scrimmage.
The defense started to breakdown in the final 15 minutes of the half, with Jordan Mason now up to 74 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Rodgers has been solid (7-for-11, 67 passing yards) and the chemistry with Garrett Wilson was noticeable on their touchdown drive, he just hasn't been able to get on the field consistently since the team took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.
The 49ers have the clear upper hand in time of possession, owning the ball for 18:16 compared to the Jets' 11:44 through the first 30 minutes of action.
Sauce Gardner back in the game late in first half
The two-time All-Pro was notably not on the field for a majority of the 49ers' final drive of the first half but returned with San Francisco in the red zone.
Jets defense struggles to defend ground game
After a handful of bend-don't-break drives, the 49ers find the end zone and retake the lead 13-7 with a two-yard jet sweep from duel threat wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Gang Green's defense was gashed on the ground during San Francisco's scoring drive, allowing 45 rushing yards from the trio of Samuel, QB Brock Purdy and RB Jordan Mason, who's making his first career start in the wake of the Christian McCaffrey absence.
The only completion on that 49ers' drive was a 22-yard pass from Purdy to wide receiver Juwan Jennings.
Jets on the board with first touchdown of 2024 season
Running back Breece Hall ultimately got the three-yard touchdown but the drive was all about the connection between Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson.
The duo connected four times on the scoring drive, including three times on third down to keep the drive alive and continuously move the ball deep into San Francisco territory, leading to the first touchdown of the Jets season.
In the first quarter alone, Wilson caught all four of Rodgers' targets for 46 yards.
49ers score first following costly fumble from Breece Hall
After the Jets force a punt on their first defensive possession, they give the ball right back as Hall fumbles a short toss from Rodgers, which leads directly to San Francisco points as kicker Jake Moody makes a 46-yard field goal. Not an ideal start for Gang Green's offense. It's only the Jets' star running back second lost fumble in his young career.
Slow start for Aaron Rodgers as Jets go three-and-out in first drive
Rodgers' and Co. first drive last 89 seconds as wide receiver Allen Lazard drops what would've been a first down to force the team's first punt of the night.
Aaron Rodgers takes the field in San Francisco
The Jets' signal caller has taken the field for warmups as he looks to have a successful start back where it started, as he grew up in Chico, California, roughly three hours north of the Bay Area.
49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey ruled out vs Jets
In a stunning turn of events, the 49ers released their inactive list led by McCaffrey, last year's rushing leader (1,459 yards) in the NFL, who's been dealing with calf/Achilles injuries. This is his first game missed due to injury since joining the organization during the 2022 season.
What channel is Jets vs 49ers on today? Time, TV schedule
TV Channel: ESPN
Start time: 8:20 p.m.
The Jets and 49ers is being broadcast nationally as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman call the game from the booth at Levi's Stadium, with Lisa Salters reporting from the sidelines.
Jets vs 49ers predictions, picks, odds
Odds (Pregame): 49ers by 3.5 (BetMGM)
O/U: 43
It's an offensive struggle as both defenses prove why they're among the best units in the NFL, with the 49ers' pulling out a close victory and spoil Rodgers' first full game as a member of the Jets.
Prediction: 49ers 17, Jets 13
Jets schedule 2024
- Sept. 9: at San Francisco
- Sept. 15: at Tennessee
- Sept. 19: New England
- Sept. 29: Denver
- Oct. 6: Minnesota (London)
- Oct. 14: Buffalo
- Oct. 20: at Pittsburgh
- Oct. 27: at New England
- Oct. 31: Houston
- Nov. 10: at Arizona
- Nov. 17: Indianapolis
- Bye
- Dec. 1: Seattle
- Dec. 8: at Miami
- Dec. 15: at Jacksonville
- Dec. 22: Los Angeles (N)
- Dec. 29: at Buffalo
- Jan. 5: Miami
- Record: 0-0
49ers schedule 2024
- Sept. 9: New York (A)
- Sept. 15: at Minnesota
- Sept. 22: at Los Angeles (N)
- Sept. 29: New England
- Oct. 6: Arizona
- Oct. 10: at Seattle
- Oct. 20: Kansas City
- Oct: 27: Dallas
- Bye
- Nov. 10: at Tampa Bay
- Nov. 17: Seattle
- Nov. 24: at Green Bay
- Dec. 1: at Buffalo
- Dec. 8: Chicago
- Dec. 12: Los Angeles (N)
- Dec. 22: at Miami
- Dec. 30: Detroit
- Jan. 5: at Arizona
- Record: 0-0
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NY Jets vs San Francisco 49ers predictions: Our expert picks for Week 1 of NFL season
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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Instant analysis: Aaron Rodgers, Jets fall short in 32-19 loss to 49ers in season opener
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