Jordan Mason's strong start proves 49ers can survive without Christian McCaffrey

This Monday Night Football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets is off to an exciting start. This time on MNF, Jets' quarterback Aaron Rodgers made it past the first drive without injury, unlike last season.

At the half, the score was 16-7, largely due to the play of running back Jordan Mason.

He currently has 74 yards on the ground, averaging a whopping 6.7 yards per carry. He also has one reception for 5 yards.

With the absence of Christian McCaffrey, due to a a nagging hamstring injury, many wondered who on this star-studded offense would step up in this game.

The answer was simple, the man starting in place of CMC. Mason, an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2022, got his first NFL start tonight on Monday Night Football against New York's tough defense.

This couldn't have come at a better time, as McCaffrey, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, had been a player the 49ers leaned heavily on last season. If McCaffrey ends up missing some time beyond Week 1's game, it's comforting knowing Mason can be an X-factor for what's already a dynamic and explosive offense.

The 49ers are in the driver's seat now in Week 1 and need to ensure they don't take their foot off the gas pedal.

Look for Mason to continue his dominance into the second half.

He should finish the game with something in the neighborhood of 115 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. Look for more Mason in the second half.