The Monday Night Football matchup in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season features the San Francisco 49ers hosting the New York Jets in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. We’ll be diving into all of the primetime games this season, and this one isn’t any different. With that in mind, keep reading for betting odds, picks and player props for this exciting showdown. Also, make sure you head over to our Week 1 NFL Betting Hub for a look at all of our NFL betting content.
MORE: Head to the Pro Picks page for best bets from all of our VSiN hosts and analysts!
How To Watch Jets vs. 49ers
When: Monday, September 9th at 8:15 pm ET
Where: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
Channel: ESPN
Jets vs. 49ers Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sunday, September 8th. Look around for the best prices!
Moneyline: 49ers -198, Jets +164
Spread: 49ers -4 (-110), Jets +4 (-110)
Total: Over 43.5 (-108), Under 43.5 (-112)
Jets vs. 49ers Analysis
I’ll put it out there immediately and let everybody reading this know that I’m a Jets fan. However, I’m not an optimistic one and I have no problem betting against my own team. I have done it quite a bit since joining the VSiN team — and I’ll certainly do it again. I actually rarely back the Jets, so it should really say more when I do. And I happen to think New York is the right team to bet in the Monday Night Football opener.
Not only is the Super Bowl loser 5-19 against the spread in Week 1 over the last 24 seasons, but this 49ers team didn’t exactly have a smooth offseason. It took a while for San Francisco to get Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams extended, and the latter is a bit of a concern. Williams is still the best left tackle in football, and he should ultimately return to that level. But if it takes him some time, this 49ers offense could be in trouble. The rest of the line leaves a lot to be desired, especially when it comes to pass protection. And that’s why this matchup is a tough one for San Francisco. New York should be able to dial up some pressure and make Brock Purdy uncomfortable, which will be interesting after having seen him struggle in training camp and the preseason. The Jets should also be tough against the run.
Last year, New York was ninth in the NFL in Rush EPA per play allowed. And the main focus of this Jets team will be slowing down Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers running game, meaning there could be some extra bodies in the box. New York will likely take its chances in the secondary, where Sauce Gardner and Co. should be able to hold their own without doubling anybody.
Offensively, this is the right game for Aaron Rodgers to be making his return. The 49ers defense was 10th in the league in EPA per play allowed last season, but a drop-off could be coming in 2024. San Francisco lost a bunch of important pass-rushing pieces from last year’s team, including longtime 49ers star Arik Armstead. If this group can’t consistently generate pressure against Rodgers, the future Hall of Famer should be able to pick their secondary apart. New York also happens to have a better offensive line in 2024 than it did in 2023, and the group could end up being league average up front this season. So it’s not like the 49ers will be working against a porous unit.
UPDATE: Christian McCaffrey is now OUT for the 49ers. San Francisco isn’t going to abandon the run, but life just got a little easier on the Jets defense. New York won’t have to devote as much attention to the San Francisco running game. The 49ers will still lean pretty heavily on Jordan Mason, but he doesn’t possess nearly as much game-breaking ability as McCaffrey. He’s also not as impactful as a pass catcher. As far as the spread goes, this helps New York a lot — even with the number going down to +3.5. If you’re looking for a player prop impact, this definitely opens up some opportunities for Mason to find the end zone. It could also mean more touches for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who Kyle Shanahan is willing to feed as a ball carrier.
Jets vs. 49ers Player Props
Aaron Rodgers Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (+118)
We haven’t seen Rodgers play a full game since January 8th, 2023. Naturally, there’s real uncertainty surrounding the 40-year-old, especially with him having torn his Achilles in Week 1 last season. But Rodgers attacked his rehab relentlessly, and he was seemingly able to return to action towards the end of last season. So, the fact that he didn’t and then had an extra eight or so months to get right should mean that he’ll be relatively healthy to start the year.
As previously mentioned, this could also be a good matchup for Rodgers. The 49ers pass rush is a real concern heading into this season, and the reviews from training camp for the Jets offensive line were positive. And if New York can do a good job of keeping Rodgers upright, it’s hard not to like the legendary quarterback to throw for two touchdowns. It’s also even harder to pass on that at plus-money odds.
New York’s offense will definitely rely heavily on the elite legs of Breece Hall, as San Francisco was just 26th in the NFL in Rush EPA per play allowed last year. But slowing down the running game was likely the focal point of the 49ers game plan here — and the entire offseason. So, this thing should come down to Rodgers’ arm eventually.
Jets vs. 49ers Pick
Not only does the Super Bowl loser generally have low energy to start the next season, but the Jets are going to be fired up here. New York finally has Rodgers under center to lead an offense that has been starving for decent quarterback play, and the Jets will be hoping to make a statement in Week 1. I’m not going to take New York to win this game outright, but I am adding the spread to my Week 1 best bets card. After having had time to think about this game a bit, I’d be surprised if it’s decided by more than a field goal either way. New York’s defense will be up to the challenge here, and the offense should be able to do enough to make this an exciting game.
Pick: Jets +4 (-110)
NOTE: This play was made before the McCaffrey news came out, but I’d grab the Jets +3.5 with the 49ers missing their star running back.
