The New York Jets appeared to catch a break before kicking off their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
The 49ers surprisingly ruled out superstar running back Christian McCaffrey prior to gametime due to a lingering calf strain, but it didn't seem to matter as the home team steamrolled the Jets' defense in a 32-19 Week 1 victory.
Filling in for McCaffrey, who led the NFL is scrimmage yards last year, undrafted rookie Jordan Mason carried 28 times for 147 yards and one touchdown. Averaging 4.7 yards per attempt, San Francisco totaled 180 yards on the ground.
"They still have a stable of backs but, at the same time they’re very, very good upfront and from an efficiency standpoint they beat us up front. Plain and simple," said Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh.
With the Jets looking helpless at times, the defense allowed the 49ers to score points on eight consecutive possessions. After its first possession ended in a punt, San Francisco managed a touchdown or field goal on each of its eight ensuing drives. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time in 45 years that the Jets defense yielded eight consecutive scoring drives.
New York's vaunted defense, which finished as a Top 4 NFL unit each of the past two seasons, could not get off the field on Monday night. The 49ers controlled the trenches and the clock, edging the Jets in time of possession by more than a 17-minute margin.
In somewhat of a silver lining, Gang Green forced San Francisco into field goal attempts on six of the eight scoring drives. Still, it was an ugly opening night for what is supposed to be a "Super Bowl" caliber defense.
More New York Jets News:
• Jets make three 2023 draft picks inactive for season opener vs. 49ers
• Jets add former Packers' center, Dolphins' linebacker to active roster
• Jets, Aaron Rodgers predicted to start slow in MNF opener vs. 49ers
• Head coach confident in Jets' pass rush, unfazed by star DE holdout
• Jets' offensive coordinator explains what makes Breece Hall rare breed
