NFL 2024 – Even without CMC: 49ers clearly defeat Jets in Rodgers comeback

Defeat to comeback: Aaron Rodgers (40) is back on the pitch one year after his serious injury.
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A year after tearing his Achilles tendon after playing just four snaps in his Jets debut, Rodgers (40) was back on the field in the NFL. And it was no surprise that the long break was still noticeable. This time he survived the fourth snap without injury. However, his short pass to Breece Hall ended in a fumble by the running back.

With just under four minutes to go, it was the Jets who scored the first touchdown of the party after a strong drive with a short run by Hall. However, it was to be the only successful drive for the visitors for a long time, as the 49ers, who had lost the Super Bowl in February to the Kansas City Chiefs 22:25 in overtime, were now gaining momentum.

Mason steps in brilliantly

The 49ers had to do without running back Christian McCaffrey. The reigning offensive player of the year had missed almost the entire preseason and was out of the season opener due to calf and Achilles tendon problems. Back-up Jordan Mason made his first start of his NFL career – and it was a furious one.

Mason emerged as the clear player of the game, and the Jets’ defense, which is actually so strong, was barely able to contain his powerful runs. Mason received a total of 28 carries from head coach Kyle Shanahan (the 49ers hadn’t done that in the regular season for 13 years) and ran for 147 yards and one touchdown.

Franchise record: Moody converts six field goals

The dominant running game ensured that the Niners put points on the board in eight consecutive drives, even though they had to settle for field goals several times. Kicker Jake Moody converted a total of six, equaling the existing franchise record. In addition to Mason, Deebo Samuel once again proved his value to the 49ers offense. He also scored a touchdown. Quarterback Brock Purdy (19/29) threw for 231 yards.

#100: The big anniversary episode for the start of the NFL season

Today is a special day for us! The new episode of “Icing the kicker” shortly before the start of the NFL season is the 100th edition. That has to be celebrated – together with you! After the latest news from the NFL, today you have your say in XL format. Grille, Michael, Jan, Consti, Detti, André and Kucze also name their icing highlights so far and their tip for the 2025 Super Bowl duel. At this point: THANK YOU for your loyalty and support over the past few years! Here is the link to our prediction game: The next episode of “Icing the kicker” will be released on September 5th. Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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And Rodgers? He looked a little rusty in his eagerly awaited comeback, exactly 52 weeks to the day after his serious injury, and his movement in the pocket was not as smooth as before. But the 40-year-old showed several signs of the strong arm that brought him four MVP titles in the Green Bay Packers jersey.

Rodgers: “We have to play better and I have to play better”

Rodgers completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown to Allen Lazard, but also threw an interception. His pass to Garrett Wilson was heavily defended by cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and bounced into the arms of linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. Rodgers only suffered one sack – by Leonard Floyd, whose sack he had seriously injured a year ago against the Buffalo Bills.

“I can play better. I missed a few shots,” said Rodgers after the party, in the final minutes of which he left the field for substitute Tyrod Taylor (touchdown pass to Lazard in garbage time). “It was a tough start for us, in terms of the travel and the game plan. But those are no excuses. We have to play better and I have to play better,” said Rodgers, who had to watch from the bench most of the time as the Jets defense was humiliated by the 49ers.

The Jets offense only had the ball for about 20 minutes. “They are a championship contender and they introduced us to some championship football today,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh about the 49ers, where he worked as defensive coordinator for years.

It is still unclear how long McCaffrey will be absent from the 49ers. According to Mason’s opinion, the 49ers should be able to give their star player the time to fully recover from his injuries.

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