49ers News: Super Bowl Hangover, meet Advil

How the 49ers simplified the offense with Jordan Mason and steamrolled the Jets (paywall)

“After a slow start, the offense seemed to find its spark on the third drive when Saubert, a blocking specialist, entered the game. Mason gained 4 yards on first down, then 13 more up the middle, then 5 more later in the series. It wasn’t always pretty, but the 49ers seemed to find their Week 1 identity on the drive — a lot of two-tight end formations, plenty of play-action passes and an avalanche of Mason.”

Hutchinson: The 49ers’ old-fashioned beatdown of Jets told the truth

“Despite having nothing but questions – Will they sign? How much will they play? What about McCaffrey? – the 49ers took the most straightforward path to victory, and the one they prefer: zone running, and run stuffing.

Music to George Kittle’s ears.

“I told Christian [McCaffrey], literally the only good thing that came out of him not playing is that our playbook shrinks just a little bit, which I’m always a fan of the shrinking playbook,” Kittle said. “But we really just ran the most simple outside zone all day.”

It was postseason football from day one, and from a team that can often come out of the gates slow. With an easy-ish schedule through the first six games, this was practically important, but it was also a refresher. It was objective proof the 49ers are still who we thought they were.”

4 takeaways after 49ers’ dominant opening night win over Jets

“The theme of the game for San Francisco without Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, and limitations on Brandon Aiyuk, was to run the ball down the Jets’ throat with Jordan Mason. They went big with personnel time and time again with two tight ends.

This was the Eric Saubert show. And I know, talking about a second-string tight end is certifiable stuff. But go back and watch how Saubert blocked. He was a domineering force. And with two tight ends who are great blockers, Mason rumbled on. Those 21 and sometimes 22 personnel sets also gave George Kittle some opportunities. He had a 26-yard catch on a rep when Saubert chipped a defensive end, then released. That’s something Kittle usually had to do because the 49ers had no viable backup tight ends.

It’s something to watch going forward as Aiyuk gets more involved and when McCaffrey and Pearsall return. But there might be something there.”

Mason’s career night fills CMC ‘void’ in 49ers’ win vs. Jets

“JP, he played his tail off,” Jennings said. “And it just shows how much we expect the next man up to come in and do the job as well as the first one.”

It’s a philosophy that is much easier said than done, particularly when the player you’re replacing finished third in NFL MVP voting last season. One advantage that worked in Mason’s favor was spending the majority of training camp as San Francisco’s No. 1 back, where he earned the trust of his veteran teammates with the consistency he displayed on a daily basis.

“I’m not surprised, I’m not surprised,” wide receiver Chris Conley said. “I’ve been seeing this work out of him for weeks at this point. Since the beginning of camp, I remember talking to … I don’t know if I said it to Brock, or if I said it to Deebo, but from the first day that he came out to practice, he looked different to me.

“Running the ball different, different focus, different determination. Happy for him, but I don’t think anyone in this locker room is surprised.”

Left guard Aaron Banks not only wasn’t surprised, he prophesized Mason’s big night before kickoff on Monday.

“Personally, I kind of knew that if he gets the opportunity, he’s going to take advantage of it. I had a feeling he was going for over 100 today,” Banks said. “I think I told Jake [Brendel], ‘Mason’s going to go for 100 tonight.’ I think he went like 140? Excited for him.”

49ers grades in dominant Week 1 win vs. Rodgers, Jets

“First-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen had things dialed up to face Rodgers, Hall and the rest of the Jets’ offense.

Shanahan made the point during the week that there would be no secrets among the coaches. Shanahan is familiar with the defense of Jets coach Robert Saleh, and Saleh knows all about Shanahan’s offense.

Other than a trick play in the first half, neither team did anything out of the ordinary. Shanahan and defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen put the 49ers positions to play fast and make plays, and that’s what happened.”