Football is finally back, but New York Jets fans will have to wait until the final game of Week 1 to see their team in action.
The Jets will face off against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night as head coach Robert Saleh returns to his old stomping grounds . There are tons of storylines heading into this matchup. Both squads are extremely talented and it'll be a great test for the Jets right off the bat to see how they compete against the Super Bowl LVIII runner-up.
The 49ers are currently favored by 4.5 points at home, as they should be. They've proved more than this Jets team in recent years, but that doesn't mean that the Jets don't have a chance. General manager Joe Douglas did a wonderful job piecing this team together on both sides of the ball which should amount to a great season.
Both squads aren't perfect, but the key to a victory is going to be exploiting each other's main weaknesses.
Biggest advantages for Jets
Expect this game to be a low-scoring affair as both of these teams' defenses are among the best in football and have been for the last few years. On the Jets end, a matchup nightmare for the 49ers will be defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Williams has been a superstar for the Jets and was considered the second-best DT in the NFL by ESPN who surveyed execs, scouts, and coaches. The All-Pro First Team talent will lineup on the inside across from rookie third round pick RG Dominik Puni, veteran center Jake Brendel, and LG Aaron Banks.
The interior line for the 49ers is by far the weakest aspect of the team but has been masked because of the high power weapons surrounding QB Brock Purdy. Guard Jon Feliciano was the staple for the interior last season grading out at 81.2 (the highest among 49ers interior linemen). Unfortunately for the 49ers, Feliciano was placed on injured reserve (IR) a week ago which means he'll be out of this contest.
According to Pro Football Focus , Banks (54.9) and Brendel (63.9) were graded out as the lowest of any of the other players in the starting lineup on the 49ers in 2023. Purdy had difficulty at times handling pressure in 2023 as well versus great defenses such as the Ravens and Chiefs. A key factor in getting Purdy to make those mistakes is Williams rushing the passer from the interior and he should be licking his chops with the lack of talent the 49ers have at that spot offensively.
Biggest advantages for 49ers
As for the 49ers, they have the luxury of going against a Jets offense that is truly unknown. With Rodgers going down 4 plays in last year, he's had no regular season game reps with his WRs or the new offensive line that Douglas built in the offseason.
There could be rust for QB Aaron Rodgers , who hasn't played a snap of football in over a year and the 49ers have the players to make it a rough return for the future Hall-of-Famer. Even though training camp has helped the Jets, there hasn't been any in-game continuity between Rodgers and the offensive line.
If the Niners want to disrupt Rodgers, they have to get home, and their defensive ends are going to have tough matchups. Superstar Nick Bosa and veteran Leonard Floyd are amongst the best at their positions in football, but they'll have hard assignments in their own rights. Tackles Tyron Smith (left) and Morgan Moses (right) are seasoned veterans who have been through the NFL gauntlet.
This being said, getting to the quarterback will be the deciding factor for both teams and it should be a fascinating game to end Week 1. The Jets will need to protect Rodgers while the 49ers look to exploit aging veterans who are playing their first game together.
More New York Jets News:
• Jets choose roster's two oldest players as team captains
• Jets urged to reunite former Packers' tight end with Aaron Rodgers
• New York Jets' 2024 season dubbed 'all-in' by NFL senior analyst
• Douglas defends Jets coach's leadership qualities despite poor record
• Saleh takes measures to offset Jets' schedule disadvantage
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