At long last, the New York Jets’ 2024 season is here.
All of the pontificating about possible outcomes will come to a close. Training camp statistics and videos will no longer dictate the various debates on podcasts or television shows.
Visit our New York Jets News page to stay updated on the latest happenings.
Instead, the talk will be reserved for real football. The narratives will be shaped around on-field performances. Fans and analysts will be able to judge teams based on how well or poorly they played.
The New York Jets have received plenty of hype this offseason and training camp, and for good reason. Aaron Rodgers is returning to a revamped offense that features new additions such as Tyron Smith and Mike Williams. Despite some departures and the Haason Reddick situation, the defense is poised to be one of the best in the league once again.
Now, New York actually gets to prove it on the field. And who better to do so against than the San Francisco 49ers? The reigning NFC champions are one of the best teams in the NFL, providing a great measuring stick early in the season for the Jets.
Can the Jets start fast? Or will their takeoff be stymied by the 49ers? Follow along below to get all you need to know about the Monday Night Football showdown. Football is back, baby!
Jets at 49ers game info
- New York Jets (0-0)
- San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
- 2024 NFL Week 1
- Monday, September 9, 8:15 p.m. EST
- ESPN
- Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
The Jets kick off their 2024 season with a bang, facing off against the 49ers on Monday Night Football.
The two possible contenders will commence their Week 1 matchup at 8:15 p.m. EST. It will be televised nationally on ESPN and broadcast simultaneously on ABC. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge will be on the broadcast.
After a uniform rebrand, the Jets will roll with their white jerseys and their newly designed green pants in Santa Clara.
White on Green for Week 1 #NYJvsSF pic.twitter.com/blmMSqcrUI
— Woody Johnson (@woodyjohnson4) September 6, 2024
Jets at 49ers Game History
- San Francisco leads the all-time series over the Jets 11-3-0.
In this battle of these East and West Coast teams, the West has a significant advantage historically.
The 49ers lead their series against the Jets by a record of 11-3. Their last matchup was in 2020, where San Francisco beat the Adam Gase-led Jets by a score of 31-13. Prior to that matchup, the Jets were 1-1 in their last two matchups. They had a 23-17 overtime victory in 2016 and lost 34-0 in 2012.
Jets at 49ers odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Jets +3.5 (-104), 49ers -3.5 (-118)
- Moneyline: Jets +166, 49ers -198
- Over/Under: 43.5 (O: -105, U: -115)
As of this piece’s writing, the Jets are 3.5-point underdogs against the spread and slight underdogs against the moneyline. This is not all too surprising; despite the hype surrounding the Jets, the 49ers have the results to back up their standing as one of the best teams in football. New York has yet to prove that it belongs in the NFL’s upper tier, and until it does, it will be discounted by the oddsmakers.
There could be some slight shifts in the odds before Monday night’s game kickoff. But for the most part, the odds seem to be set and make sense in the context of both teams’ current situations.
Jets at 49ers injury report
New York Jets
- LB Zaire Barnes: Out (ankle)
- OL Wes Schweitzer: Out (hand)
Two Jets were added to the injury report late in the week after sustaining injuries in practice. Zaire Barnes (hand) and Wes Schweitzer (hand) are both out. Schweitzer was placed on injured reserve and will miss the season’s first four games.
Outside of those two depth players, the Jets are healthy heading into the season. Wide receiver Mike Williams is cleared and ready to see his first significant reps with Aaron Rodgers on Monday; regarding his snap count, head coach Robert Saleh said the Jets “will be smart with him” to start the season. Depth pieces Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Max Mitchell also were full participants.
San Francisco 49ers
- DL Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) – Out
- LB Dee Winters (ankle) – Out
- S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) – Doubtful
- RB Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) – Questionable
- OL Aaron Banks (finger) – Questionable
Unlike the Jets, San Francisco is banged up heading into the first week of the regular season.
The headlining injuries are to McCaffrey and Hufanga.
McCaffrey, who is arguably the engine of the 49ers offense, is dealing with a calf and Achilles injury, which held him out for most of training camp. In addition, starting left guard Aaron Banks is dealing with a finger injury ahead of a matchup with Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Hufanga, San Francisco’s star safety, is coming off of a torn ACL and will not be ready to make an impact on Monday night. The 49ers will also be without Yetur Gross-Matos, one of the two backup defensive ends on their 53-man roster, and Dee Winters, one of the two backup linebackers.
Left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will play after recently ending their contract disputes. However, due to their late ramp-ups, Aiyuk will be on a limited snap count, while the team has not ruled out doing the same for Williams (per head coach Kyle Shanahan).
Jets at 49ers prediction
- New York Jets 24, San Francisco 49ers 20.
This game could play out in a multitude of ways. New York and San Francisco each their own sets of questions that will dictate on-field performances.
New York is missing Haason Reddick, their premier pass rusher. How can the Jets overcome this absence and get after Brock Purdy? Aaron Rodgers’s play is another question, as he is over 40 years old and coming off an Achilles injury. Health along the offensive line, specifically regarding Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, is a question, too.
For the 49ers, Christian McCaffrey’s health is a giant question mark. Depending on his status, Brock Purdy may have to carry much more of the offensive on his shoulders. Additionally, Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk’s conditioning is a critical factor. If they are anything less than 100 percent, the Jets could have a big advantage.
Both teams have an even shot of taking this game. However, ultimately, it will come down to execution and preparation.
The winning team will likely be the one that executes in more third and fourth-down situations while avoiding critical turnovers. It is a simplistic view, but it could be the main deciding factor between two teams filled with talent.
As a result, I have the Jets beating the 49ers. If Saleh and Rodgers do not have their team ready to roll for this one, it will not happen, but I predict that the Jets will come out fast and start strong, ultimately taking advantage of a 49ers team that is hurt and typically starts the regular season slowly.
In their Week 1 matchup, give me the Jets by a score of 24-20.
