Backup Niners quarterback Jeff Garcia is sacked by Gary Walker late in the game.

"It was a terrible showing, but it's not the end of the world," center Chris Dalman said after San Francisco's 41-3 season-opening loss at Jacksonville.

"We just didn't execute very well, and there were breakdowns in all areas of the offense. It was just one of those days, but we have a history of coming back and playing well after bad losses."

The 38-point margin marked San Francisco's worst defeat since a 49-3 loss to the New York Giants in the 1986 NFC divisional playoffs. It was the Niners' worst regular-season defeat since a 59-14 loss to Dallas in 1980. It was the biggest loss in franchise history on opening day.

"Execution is our bread and butter, and it wasn't good," said Steve Young, who had probably his worst game since succeeding Joe Montana as San Francisco's quarterback in 1991.

"We were 1-for-14 in third downs after being No. 1 in third-down conversions last season. We just went out there and laid an egg, but hopefully that was our bad game for the season, and it won't happen again."

Young, who turns 38 in October, is coming off perhaps his best season, setting career highs for passing yardage (4,170) and touchdowns (36). But against Jacksonville, he was the focal point of San Francisco's offensive shortcomings.

He finished 9-of-26 with no touchdowns, two interceptions and two sacks. And immediately, Young had to confront questions about his age and its possible impact on his performance.

"I look at that film, and I see there were just not many plays. In fact, I got myself in trouble by trying to make things that were not there," said Young. The interceptions "were forced from a sense of, 'Let's get something going.' Now, you want to talk about age, I'm too old for that. I should know better," Young said.

He didn't get much help from the 36-year-old Rice, the NFL's career leader in receptions, receiving yardage and touchdowns who made just two catches but also was guilty of a couple drops.

"They played in a game where it was a little rough, but the entire team was flat," Mariucci said. "Oh yeah, we're all getting older, some of us faster than others. But I've been nothing, but pleased with those guys.

"Yeah, this game is not what we're used to, but it will get much better, you know that."

Young insisted the debacle at Jacksonville was not a sign of the times or age, but just one bad game, a clunker that got out of hand because of some key turnovers. Jacksonville didn't have a turnovers, while San Francisco had five, including a second-quarter fumble by Young that wiped out the 49ers' best chance to score a touchdown.

"Let's see what happens next week," said Young, whose team plays host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. "The 49ers always have had an ability to turn the page and move past games like this. We've seen it for 20 years. There's no reason we can't do that again."

Mariucci, who has never lost a regular-season game at home in his two previous seasons in San Francisco, said he's hoping for a quick turnaround.

"We've played poorly on occasion before, but I know this, this team has always responded the right way and played well the next game," Mariucci said. "Now, does that mean we'll do it again? Only time will tell. We have to do it again this year."