The San Francisco 49ers recorded a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season, improving their record to 2-0 with consecutive road wins. Backup quarterback Mac Jones made his first start for the 49ers in place of the injured Brock Purdy and threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, leading the offense effectively despite a third-quarter fumble.
Jones stepped in after Purdy was sidelined due to toe and left shoulder injuries. His solid debut earned praise from multiple national analysts who highlighted his poise and passing performance throughout the game. Jones is expected to start again in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals if Purdy remains unavailable.
The 49ers defense also contributed significantly, making key stops late in the game that helped secure the win. Defensive standouts like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa were instrumental in pressuring the Saints’ offense and limiting scoring opportunities.
Following the game, several national outlets released their NFL Week 3 power rankings, placing the 49ers between eighth and 14th overall. CBS Sports ranked them eighth, The Athletic ninth, Yahoo! Sports tenth, ESPN eleventh, NFL Network thirteenth, and FOX Sports fourteenth. Analysts cited the combined strong performances of Jones and the defense as key reasons for the team’s promising start.
CSB Take
The San Francisco 49ers’ ability to secure a 2-0 start with back-to-back road wins highlights their depth and resilience this season. Mac Jones’s commendable first start under Kyle Shanahan’s direction offers assurance that the team can maintain offensive production despite injuries to Brock Purdy. Strong defensive contributions complement the offense, creating a balanced team outlook. Consistency in performance will be critical as the 49ers progress, especially if Jones remains the starter in Purdy’s continued absence.
Source: Original report
