Jones, McCaffrey and Shanahan’s offense; the way it’s supposed to be

This was Mac Jones, completing every pass he threw in the first half. This was Christian McCaffrey, setting an NFL record. This was Kyle Shanahan’s offense, looking efficient and effective.

This was the San Francisco 49ers reminding us they could be a factor in the playoffs, after their biggest scoring output Sunday, defeating the New York Giants, 34-24, at the Meadowlands. 

Agreed, the Giants are hardly among the NFL’s best. In fact, their run defense ranks the worst—but the 49er victory on the road and their apparent improvement should not be dismissed. The Niners now are 6-3, but still undefeated in the NFC West. We’ll find out a great deal more when the 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams Sunday at SoFi Stadium. But that’s a few days in the future. For the present, it is time to deal with San Francisco’s quite impressive win over the Giants, a game in which Jones again proved to be the best backup quarterback in the league and a game in which McCaffrey verified his talent as both runner and receiver.

As in the most recent games, the question before kickoff was whether the $50 million dollar-man, Brock Purdy, would finally be the starter at QB, having missed every opportunity because of that lingering “turf-toe” injury. The answer came quickly enough. Brock still couldn’t make it, but Jones, as in every game so far, did make it—and made the 49ers move. He was 14 for 14 on pass attempts before halftime, and finished 19 for 24 with 235 yards and two touchdowns.

“Mac played really well,” said Shanahan. “He got the ball where he should.” 

That the Niners even have Jones is part of the magic and mystery of pro football. He was a first-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2021, the heir apparent to retired superstar—and now TV personality—Tom Brady.

But after three seasons, Jones fell into disfavor, was traded to Jacksonville, who subsequently released him. The Niners signed him as a free agent this past summer. 

Five of Jones’ 14 completions Sunday were to McCaffrey. Two of those were for touchdowns. McCaffrey also scored running the ball, and in the process, set a league record.  

He has now scored a touchdown running and receiving in 17 games, one more than Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.

“Our team stayed emotionally sharp the whole game,” said McCaffrey.

The Niners’ No. 2 halfback, Brian Robinson, who was acquired in a trade in August, scored his first touchdown of the season on an 18-yard run in the 4th quarter.

That was the good news. The bad news was that rookie defensive back Mykel Williams, a first-round selection, incurred what might have been a season-ending knee injury.

So the Niners probably are looking to make a trade before Tuesday’s deadline, although they don’t want to give away a potential young star to acquire a player who may only be here for the year.

That said, trade or no trade, the 49ers are a contender. In the rough, unpredictable sport of pro football, it’s hard to wish for much more.