(Santa Clara) Aaron Rodgers’ long-awaited return to the field was spoiled by the San Francisco 49ers, who won 32-19 thanks to their running game on Monday.
Rodgers passed for 167 yards and threw a touchdown pass and an interception exactly 52 weeks after his Jets debut ended with a torn Achilles tendon.
Rodgers struggled to move in the pocket, but still showed off the arm that helped him win four MVP awards with the Green Bay Packers a few times in his first full game with the Jets.
But it wasn’t enough to beat the 49ers, who dominated New York in the trenches and overcame the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey.
PHOTO DARREN YAMASHITA, USA TODAY SPORTS
Aaron Rodgers
Jordan Mason, who went undrafted in 2022, made up for it in his first career start by using his physical running style to help the 49ers to control the ball behind a solid performance from the offensive line.
Deebo Samuel added a two-yard touchdown run and Jake Moody made a franchise-record six field goals to lead the 49ers.ers to victory.
Brock Purdy threw for 231 yards, no touchdowns and no turnovers against a Jets defense that generated little pressure.
The Niners took control of the game just before and after halftime.
They first got a field goal on a 12-play, 75-yard possession late in the second quarter and then scored on Mason’s five-yard run on an 11-play, 70-yard possession to start the third quarter.
Those two plays turned a 13-7 lead into a 23-7 advantage, with the Jets doing absolutely nothing during that time.
Rodgers threw his first touchdown pass in 610 days, taking advantage of a free play when Leonard Floyd was offsides. The 40-year-old quarterback then found Allen Lazard for a 36-yard pass to cut the deficit to 26-13.
Lazard caught a second touchdown pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor in the final moments of the already decided game.