The 49ers were not happy with the way their game in Minnesota went last Sunday and they took out their frustrations on the Jets this Sunday.
A completely overwhelming performance by the 49ers defense on the beleaguered Jets offense paved the way for a 34-0 victory that improved the 49ers’ record to 3-1 on the season. The 49ers didn’t let the Jets do a thing on offense all day, holding them to 145 yards while forcing four turnovers and sacking Mark Sanchez three times. They had two more sacks wiped out by defensive penalties, something that might have proven to be a problem against a more effective unit.
These Jets are not an effective offensive unit. Sanchez finished the day 13-of-29 for 103 yards and an interception. He also fumbled on one of Aldon Smith’s two sacks and looked helpless just about every time he dropped back to throw a pass. Not because of the protection, which was occasionally good, but because there just wasn’t any way to make positive things happen when he put the ball in the air. His passes either sailed wide or Jets receivers couldn’t get open or sometimes both all at once. The game was lost by the time wide receiver Santonio Holmes hurt his knee, but Holmes’ absence left a team already short on offensive talent with just about nothing to show for itself on that side of the ball.
The 49ers offense wasn’t particularly efficient through the air, but the Jets defense was powerless to stop them on the ground. They picked up 247 yards on 43 rushes for a robust 5.7 yards per carry with Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter all running for touchdowns. The offensive line was pushing the Jets defensive front back for yards at a time and the Jets didn’t do a particularly good job of tackling when they were able to get in front of Niner ball carriers.
And, for good measure, linebacker Larry Grant blocked a Robert Malone punt in the fourth quarter to set up San Francisco’s final touchdown of the afternoon.
Demoralizing stuff for the Jets across the board, but a revitalizing game for the 49ers after their misstep in Minnesota.