The 49ers answered all questions prior to the season opener with Jordan Mason rushing for 147 yards, leading the 49ers offensive line to dominate the New York Jets in a 32-19 victory.

Christian McCaffrey was placed on the inactive list for the game and Mason took full advantage, as he racked up nearly 150 yards. However, two of his longest runs were disallowed due to holding penalties.

Mason did this in front of a crowd of one, and Kyle Shanahan will have to figure out how to best use Mason on offense once McCaffrey is back.

Using Mason as a closer alone is not a big enough role. Shanahan has the good problem of having more talent than he expected at running back. He now has a thunder and lightning tandem and will have to optimize both.

49ERS ON ATTACK

Shanahan was concerned that the offense had only practiced together for a week. The 49ers started with a three-and-out series and then scored on their next eight possessions.

Game balls

Jordan Mason – 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. Mason’s tough downhill running style worked inside and out. The Jets had no answer for him.

Chris Foerster and the offensive line – The line and their coach delivered despite only a week of preparation. My concerns about Aaron Banks vs. Quinnen Williams were unfounded, as the Niners let Williams disappear, recording just three tackles and a quarterback hit. Rookie Dominic Puni led the team in run blocking win rate with 82.1% and Trent Williams proved he works hard out of camp as well, giving up no pressure on 33 dropback snaps.

The line quickly found synchronicity. On a nine-yard Mason run early in the second quarter, all five players fired down the line at right angles and won their blocks in an impressive show of coordination.

The Jets switched to a five-man front and still couldn’t stop Mason.

Kyle Shanahan – The starting offensive linemen hadn’t played together since the Super Bowl, and it took just one drive to shake off the rust, as they clicked the rest of the night. A Niners offense fueled by confidence and momentum is rolling into Week 2.

Jauan Jennings – Led the team in receptions with five catches for 64 yards.

Jake Moody – 6 of 6 field goals, two of which were over 50, including the bank shot.

Adjustments

The challenge for Shanahan going forward will be to find a balanced spread with two very capable backs and a growing group of targets. Kudos to Shanahan for recognizing that Kyle Juszczyk got exposed on one play and then throwing him deep for a 34-yard catch shortly after. Juszczyk needs to be used more in the passing game.

Deebo Samuel was probably overused in this game. That could also be because Isaac Guerendo wasn’t fully fit. I was surprised that Jacob Cowing didn’t play a role. George Kittle needs more targets. Brandon Aiyuk needs to be ready, the drop in the endzone on a beautiful throw from Brock Purdy didn’t do him any good in getting more targets.

49ERS ON DEFENSE

Aaron Rodgers led the Jets to an early touchdown drive, taking advantage of the 49ers’ soft zone coverage. After the Niners adjusted, Rodgers became too fixated on his primary targets and New York’s offense sputtered.

Game balls

Fred Warner – Knowing he had to step up without Dre Greenlaw, Warner led the team in tackles with seven and flew to the ball. Breece Hall had 16 carries for 54 yards and five catches for 39. Hall needed to produce more. Warner made sure he didn’t.

Leonard Floyd – A sack and a push that led to a Rodgers interception. A great start.

Nick Sorensen – The Jets’ first touchdown drive took advantage of the soft zone-playing Niners and Rodgers finding Garrett Wilson. Then Sorensen used tighter coverage and masking on 3rd downs, which confused and unsettled the Jets.

The defense was cohesive with effective play up front, a good game from De’Vondre Campbell and solid defensive support.

Adjustments

Minnesota gave up just one sack to the Giants, the Niners will need to apply more consistent pressure to get Sam Darnold to move. Darnold struggles in a crowded pocket.

Next week

Minnesota is in a rebuilding mode, but they beat a hapless Giants team 28-6. The Vikings have a solid offensive line that has led Aaron Jones to 94 yards on just 14 carries, and they have the best receiver in the game in Justin Jefferson. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has had success against the Niners and loves to blitz. If the 49ers can keep up their opening night performance, they should beat the Vikings.

According to the current betting, the Niners are 5.5-point favorites.