SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers quickly showed that a turbulent training camp filled with contract disputes and rumors of Super Bowl hangovers would have little impact on their success this season.
The 49ers showed an overwhelming performance in the season opener, even without injuries All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. With substitute Jordan Mason, the Niners overran the highly praised defense of the New York Jets and held Aaron Rodgers in check in a 32-19 win Monday night.
The win came after a summer in which talks focused on the contract extension of star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the contract waiver of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and the task of becoming only the second team in the last half century to win the Super Bowl, a year after losing in the NFL title game.
“We have great leaders in this locker room and we have guys that follow the leaders and we have leaders that repeat what the coaches preach,” Williams said. “I think that’s why the locker room can stay focused.”
After a three-and-out on the first drive, the Niners scored eight straight points thanks to a 147-yard run by Mason and a flawless performance by Brock Purdy.
The defense forced three three-and-outs and had two turnovers in its first six possessions, a perfect performance that was no big surprise to coach Kyle Shanahan given his players’ preparation.
“I’m with our team every day, so I know there’s a lot of news and stuff about absences and stuff like that and when people are coming back, but our guys have been great in practice,” he said. “They’ve been very focused.”
What works
Run defense. The Niners struggled to stop the run in key moments last season, which contributed to the decision to fire coordinator Steve Wilks and promote Nick Sorensen in hopes of better connecting all three levels of the defense. The results in the opening game were positive, as San Francisco limited Breece Hall to 54 yards on 16 carries and allowed just 3.6 total yards per carry.
“We’re very proud of it and last year we weren’t as good as we needed to be,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We needed to improve.”
What needs help
Communication. After the game, there were conflicting messages about when the Niners knew McCaffrey would miss the game. Mason said in a postgame television interview that he was told Friday he would start, even though McCaffrey was listed as questionable on Saturday. Shanahan said the decision was only done on Monday.
The NFL regularly reviews potential violations of the injury reporting requirement and can impose fines if the league finds that a team has circumvented the process. A league spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of McCaffrey’s situation on Tuesday.
Stock up
K Jake Moody. The second-year kicker had an impressive day, setting a franchise record with six field goals made, two of them from at least 50 yards. He became the fourth kicker in NFL history to make six field goals in a season opener and joined Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell as the only kickers with at least two field goals from 50 yards. Boswell did that on Sunday against Atlanta.
Inventory is decreasing
WR Brandon Aiyuk. After refusing to play all of training camp as part of a contract extension, Aiyuk looked rusty in his first game since signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension. Aiyuk caught two passes for 28 yards and dropped a potential touchdown on a well-placed throw at the end of the first half.
Injuries
LG Aaron Banks (calf) and WR Jauan Jennings (ankle) will be evaluated day-to-day after sustaining game-long injuries. … McCaffrey will be evaluated day-to-day. … S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) could return this week for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last November. … Shanahan won’t have an update on LB Dee Winters (ankle) and DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) until Wednesday.
Key number
8. For the 11th time in the last 50 seasons, the Niners had eight scoring drives in a game, but according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the first time they scored on eight consecutive drives during that span.
What happens next?
The 49ers are looking to start 2-0 for the fourth time in eight seasons under Shanahan. They made the Super Bowl in two of those seasons – 2019 and 2023 – and the NFC title game in 2021.
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