The 2024 NFL season gets underway this week, meaning Jets football is back.
There’s the obvious excitement in the air especially for Gang Green, with QB Aaron Rodgers back in action following the torn Achilles he suffered only four scrimmage plays into his Jets’ debut last season in Week 1.
It will be anything but easy for Rodgers and Co., who go on the road to face the 49ers on “Monday Night Football” to begin their campaign in hopes of ending a 13-year playoff drought, the longest in North American professional sports (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL).
San Francisco is coming off another Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs in a 25-22 defeat in Super Bowl 58 in February. The 49ers have represented the NFC in the Super Bowl in two of the last five seasons and have made it to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the previous five years.
Our prognosticators throughout this season are: Art Stapleton (Giants/NFL writer, NorthJersey.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst/columnist, NorthJersey.com), Steve Edelson (columnist, APP.com), Vince Mercogliano (Rangers/NHL columnist, lohud.com), Brian Marron (digital producer, NorthJersey.com), Chris Iseman (Rutgers writer, NorthJersey.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, Asbury Park Press/APP.com), and Dave Rivera (sports editor, USA TODAY Northeast/NorthJersey.com).
With a clean slate and fresh start for everyone, here are our staff predictions for Week 1 between the Jets and 49ers:
Art Stapleton
The pick: Jets 27, 49ers 23
Here’s why: This might just be a battle of the two best rosters in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers lasts more than four offensive plays in this one, and the Jets’ defensive front makes key plays down the stretch, smothering a San Francisco passing game. Breece Hall is the X-factor, and the Jets pull off an upset to kick off their season in a big way.
Bert Bainbridge
The pick: 49ers 17, Jets 13
Here’s why: This is a battle of two of the best defenses in the entire NFL and they prove why on Monday Night Football. It’s a low scoring affair with 49ers’ coming out in a close victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets to close out Week 1.
Steve Edelson
The pick: Jets 24, 49ers 21
Here’s why: The Jets’ offense, the biggest unknown with Aaron Rogers’ return, flexes its muscles, while the defense, a known commodity, plays well on the road.
Bob Jordan
The pick: 49ers 27, Jets 14
Here’s why: We still don’t know what an Aaron Rodgers-led Jets’ offense looks like but going up against the NFC champs is a really difficult place to start from.
Brian Marron
The pick: 49ers 20, Jets 13
Here’s why: The gang is back together for the 49ers after stalwarts Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams returned to practice. The Jets could be among the NFL’s elite by the end of the season, but there could be some struggles early while the Aaron Rodgers-led offense works out some kinks. Against a stout team with sustained continuity like the 49ers, that could be a bad combination for Week 1.
Chris Iseman
The pick: Jets 31, 49ers 27
Here’s why: You know Aaron Rodgers is going to come out firing after the way last season went. The Jets’ defense will do enough to get past San Francisco.
Dave Rivera
The pick: 49ers 26, Jets 24
Here’s why: Aaron Rodgers and the Jets stay in this one throughout the night, but fall just short as the Niners find a way to win this one at home. It may go down as a loss, but the Jets will hope to build off an impressive showing as they move forward.