(Photo: New York Post)
Special Preview- NFL, Week One
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Jets: April 26th, 2023. They made the move that many saw coming and it was a matter of when, not if it would happen and that was the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. Everything had been there for this football team. They could run the ball, play stingy defense, and have a young group of players. All they needed was that Quarterback and that’s what they were hoping the future Hall of Famer would bring to the table. Following him closely, I saw Aaron quite a bit and he appeared to be happier and was smiling more. He even added some swagger to this Jets team. Then comes September 11th and after four plays and a total of 11 minutes, he went down with a lower foot injury that would be announced as a torn Achilles and he was done for the year. Almost a year later, Aaron is back. I need to see what Robert Saleh’s group is made of and quite frankly, I’m not completely sold on them. Outside of Garrett Wilson, what other receiver do they have that can scare a secondary? The Offensive Line is the glaring issue of this entire team and let’s also understand that Aaron is 40 years old coming off an Achilles tear. Let’s also look at the landscape of the AFC. There’s Kansas City, Houston, and the entire AFC North, and they aren’t better than Buffalo or Miami in their division. I’ll put them over the New England Patriots in the AFC East, but at this point, they are still a question mark and I need to see more. As far as I’m concerned, the Jets will go as far as the health of Aaron Rodgers takes them. They don’t need him to necessarily be the guy he was in his prime in Green Bay. He had a running game to lean on and a defense that would get him the ball back. After the trade, there was a buzz amongst the fanbase. This year, not so much. Next Monday night, Aaron will face a very familiar team in the NFC Champions.
49ers: What a roller coaster of a year it was for them in 2023. They started 5-0 and were labeled as the best team in the NFL that moved the ball consistently on offense and had one of the best defenses in the league. Then as it does with most teams, the injuries occurred and they lost Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. Both of those absences hurt them and they endured a three-game losing streak after winning their first five games. Those two came back and all seemed to be well with the world. It may be a cliche saying at this point, but having key guys on the field and being healthy makes all the difference. I have a question for anyone who is reading this. Is the Brock Purdy hate done now? He’s in the right system that complements his style of play and in the playoffs, he made big throw after big throw, go back and watch the divisional playoff game against the Packers in January. I truly believe the San Francisco 49ers have what it takes to win a Super Bowl, but I also see that window is closing more and more as the years go on. Of course, they had a shot in February against the Chiefs, but couldn’t get the job done. Right now, they are still the team to beat in the NFC if you want to get anywhere in the conference. I love what they do offensively and Christian McCaffrey is the perfect piece for what it is they want to do as he’s impactful in the running game and passing game. One thing I noticed in watching them as much as I did a year ago was they can be defeated. I think you all remember my saying when it comes to this group: “The bully doesn’t like to be bullied” meaning if you punch them in the mouth and play a physical style of football (their style) against them, they fold and have a difficult time recovering in the football game. Look how Baltimore beat them on Christmas Day last year. A few months back, one of my radio associates said if they fall short of winning a title this year, it may be time to let Kyle Shanahan go. They will welcome the Jets to town next Monday night.
Jets X-Factor: Javon Kinlaw– We have a guy here who’s extremely familiar with this San Francisco group. The 49ers drafted him in the 2020 NFL Draft. This off-season, he signed a one-year deal with the Jets. Javon is 6’5 and weighs 319 pounds with speed from the interior of the defensive line. His strong suit is playing the run, but he can get after the passer as well. I’ve always liked the motor that he’s played with. No man weighing over 300 pounds should be moving as quickly as he does and that’s just a fact. I know he will be motivated for this game next Monday night.
49ers X-Factor: Talanoa Hufanga– I truly feel he makes an already great defense even better! He plays with a nice combination of tenacity and technique along with toughness. Talanoa’s nose for the ball and being in the right spot to get to the ball carrier is what set him apart from many other Safeties in the league. He’s so instinctive and if you give him a little idea of what’s to come, he will know what you’re running. This is a physical football player who only wants to do one thing and that’s attack the football. Ronnie Lott has high praise for him and he’s very reminiscent of Troy Polamalu. That’s great to receive praise from a Hall of Famer and to be compared to a Hall of Famer.
Final Thoughts: We are going to try this again. Aaron Rodgers was set to make his debut with the Jets last year on a Monday night. Almost a year later, here we are again. Back in his days with the Green Bay Packers, Aaron saw these 49ers quite a bit and has a history against them. He’s back in California playing the team he grew up watching and loving, and then, Robert Saleh will face his former boss Kyle Shanahan. What a way to kick off another season of Monday Night Football. The first thing I can’t wait to watch is how this Jets Offensive Line will hold up against a ferocious San Francisco defensive front. Just imagine returning from an Achilles injury only to face one of the best at getting to the Quarterback. The Jets must establish Breece Hall and run the football up the middle which was a big weakness of the San Fran defense a year ago. I want to see what type of gameplan the Jets will come up with to try and limit CMC as he’s the best player on the field for the Niners. If the Niners can get the physicality aspect in their favor and wear the Jets down, it’ll be tough for them to recover. I like the 49ers to win this game here next Monday night.
Prediction: 49ers 26, Jets 17.
