What is going on covers family, this is a game that I have had marked on my calendar for quite some time. For context, as many of you know I was on the 49ers heavy last year (bet them in the preseason, week 4, week 7, and week 11) to win the SB. I ended up going to the Superbowl only to watch them lose to the KC Chiefs. I will admit it was a devastating loss, a take the wind out of your sails type of a loss and the second of its kind for the organization (the two teams had played previously) and the third of its kind for Kyle Shannahan who was the OC for Atlanta when they lost to the Pats. Now, there have been a lot of moves and distractions for this team this offseason which faces the NY Jets on MNF;.
This year, my team to go to the SB is the NY Jets at 22/1 odds. On paper, this team is as talented as any team. They have probowlers at every major skill position, and a HOF QB who can still sling the ball (mobility is the issue). The Jets answered the #1 question mark from last season which was the offensive line--adding two solid tackles in Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and they brought over John Simpson from the Baltimore Ravens. They look every bit the part of a playoff team, and Breece Hall is my favorite for AP offensive player of the year with Saquon Barkley. The added depth should give Rodgers the protection he needs to get the skill guys involves--Hall, Garrett Wilson, Corley, Mike Williams. They also have a bruiser at back up running back Braelon Allen.
Where did the line open and where has it moved?
In the summer, the line opened at Jets +6. This seemed very off to me as the Jets were continuing to bolster their roster with key acquisitions whereas the 49ers had contract disputes and question marks with regards to Aiyuk and Trent Williams. These distraction, the super bowl hangover, the loss of Chase Young and Randy Gregory (both contributed quite nicely during the season), the Talanoa Hufanga ACL injury, and Dre Greenlaws absence undoubtedly made this team different than last years squad. They lost Steve Wilkes as the DC, and he was the fall guy for the SB when he called arguably the game of his life. The Chiefs did not have a first half TD in the SB. With all of these changes, and in anticipation for both BA and Trent Williams being out for this game, the line moved all the way down to SF -3.5. Now, it seems that prior to kickoff the line seems to be settling at 4 to 4.5 depending on which book you look at. This seems like the right number, which has been pounded into place. The Jets have their own issues, a 40 year old QB who hasn't play a down in a year going up against a favorite title contender on the road. Rodgers notoriously doesn't play well against SF so what gives in this matchup?
The Matchup
These two teams match up very evenly. I give the edge to the Jets at QB, offensive line, defensive line, and secondary. I would argue that RB is closer than people think, as McCaffrey has had an injured calf for the past few weeks of camp. The Jets defensive line is solid, even without Hassan Reddick. Jermaine Johnson is a probowler at defensive end and Quinen Williams is a top 3 defensive tackle who will disrupt the 49er running attack and put pressure on Brock Purdy down the middle. At receiver, I like the combination of Wilson and Williams to Deebo and Aiyuk, again, not too far in terms of skill and production. At linebacker, I again think it is close between CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams vs. Fred Warner and DeVondre Campbell. I give the big edge to the 49ers O-line in that they are a top 5 unit based on PFF grades, and the 49ers really did not improve their line and are truly nothing were it not for the best LT in the game, Trent Williams.