The New York Jets are about to take their first steps into the NFL’s spotlight as one of its top projected teams in 2024.
With high expectations, Gang Green’s first test is against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, CA, on Monday night—as stiff an opening challenge as possible.
Jets vs. 49ers Week 1 viewing information, odds
- Date: Monday, Sept. 9
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- TV: ABC/ESPN
- Spread: 49ers -4 (courtesy of DraftKings)
- Over/Under: 43.5
- Jets Moneyline: +164
- 49ers Moneyline: -198
3 Jets storylines to watch: Week 1 vs. 49ers
Let’s try this again: Consider this the official arrival of Aaron Rodgers, whose Jets debut was limited to just four plays last season after suffering an Achilles injury.
The 40-year-old is entering his 20th NFL season with plenty still to prove. Much of that comes with joining a franchise that has been perpetually stuck near the bottom of the standings. Still, can he be the franchise’s savior?
There should not be much doubt about his skill level unless proven otherwise. While he did not participate in preseason play, he put in a ton of extra work. In the only pseudo-competitive setting of the summer — a joint practice against the Giants — he ripped them apart on 15-of-21 passing with four touchdowns.
The biggest piece of what the Jets have missed over the last 50 years has been a franchise quarterback. Rodgers is just that as long as he stays healthy, and a big performance near his hometown in California will only cement that notion further.
General manager Joe Douglas has done plenty of work to ensure that he has a strong supporting cast. The offensive line has been rebuilt, and veteran receiver Mike Williams provides game-changing depth on the outside along with star receiver Garrett Wilson.
What can a Reddick-less defense do vs. San Fran?: The Jets’ defense will be one of the best in the NFL, but their blockbuster offseason acquisition in edge rusher Haason Reddick is still not with the team as his contract holdout continues.
His loss might be felt even more on Monday night when the Jets’ defensive line takes on a solid 49ers O-Line that features one of the best blind-side blockers in the game in veteran Trent Williams.
Gang Green put an awful lot of eggs in the Reddick basket. They parted ways with John Franklin-Myers and Bryce Huff in the spring and will now rely on Michael Clemons, Will McDonald, and Takk McKinley to pick up the slack on the outside.
Headlined by Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson, the defensive line will have to find a way to win the battle in the trenches considering the embarrassment of attacking riches the 49ers possess. Running back Christian McCaffrey is the best dual-threat in the NFL, while quarterback Brock Purdy has three game-changing pass-catchers in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and tight end George Kittle.
That trio will keep the Jets’ strong secondary plenty busy.
Strong run game needed: If the Jets’ run game is non-existent, the 49ers’ defense will quickly be able to hone in on Rodgers.
Breece Hall should be preparing for his first-ever 1,000-yard season behind that rebuilt offensive line considering he put up 994 yards last year despite New York’s ineptitude both on the ground and in the trenches.
Having a dangerous ground game should at least keep San Francisco’s defense honest throughout Monday night, so expect Hall to be heavily used in the opener.
