SANTA CLARA — The 49ers went back to basics by shutting down the New York Jets’ ground game in their 32-19 win on “Monday Night Football,” and the defensive line collectively believes this is just the beginning.

Stopping the run was important to defensive end Nick Bosa, especially after the unit’s less-than-stellar performance in that area in the 2023 NFL season. The star pass rusher was pleased that the group allowed the Jets just 68 total yards on the ground in the 2024 season opener.

“If we can stop the run like that, we’re obviously going to clean up more and we’re going to have a lot more rush operations going forward,” Bosa said after the game at Levi’s Stadium. “… That’s just our main focus every year, because when you make teams one-dimensional, that’s huge. …

“We’re very proud of it, and last year we weren’t as good as we should have been, so we had to improve.”

Nick Bosa was very pleased with the 49ers’ defensive performance tonight, especially against the run photo.twitter.com/AYmKSTvGlh

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 10, 2024

The lone quarterback sack the group recorded was made by free agent Leonard Floyd, who also happened to be the last man to sack Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2023. The move resulted in an Achilles injury for the four-time NFL MVP, which kept him out for the season.

Floyd believes the 49ers defensive line as a group can be the cornerstone of the defense, and the nine-year NFL veteran is excited about what the season will bring.

“We have a lot of potential,” Floyd told NBC Sports Bay Area. “We just have to go out there and execute. We have to go out there and put our words into action. (This is) just the tip of the iceberg of what we can actually do. I’m looking forward to coming in next week and going even harder.”

However, filling the run often starts on the inside of the line, and the 49ers have added new contributors there as well. Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott have already made an impact on defense and have been a big part of the reason, along with Javon Hargrave, that the Jets couldn’t move the ball on the ground.

“There’s definitely a lot left,” Collins said after the game. “There’s a lot left on the bone. We would have liked to have gotten him a little bit more. I’m mad at myself for that last one; I let him get away through the B-gap in the red zone.”

Bosa has been impressed with Collins and what the team’s new defensive tackle has been able to do while playing alongside him. Floyd, on the other hand, will draw attention from opposing offenses, and that will give everyone a chance.

“I think (Floyd) on the other side brings a lot of potential to all the guys running backs,” Bosa said. “Maliek had a great game in the run game and he’s a great veteran to have, and me and him are going to work really well together on the left side.”

Nick Bosa is excited to play alongside mid-season signings Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins 🤝 photo.twitter.com/owd5rbFa1O

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 10, 2024

Bosa complimented both coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager/president of football operations John Lynch for putting together the defensive line grouping for the season. The All-Pro believes each player has come in with the right mindset needed for a dominant season.

“You really don’t have a choice when you come into this building to not play with great effort and play Niner football,” Bosa said. “I think tonight was the epitome of a Niner win, but we’re just scratching the surface. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun games.”