San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets
Time: NOON
Spread: SF -7.5
Total: 41.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The San Francisco 49ers started out its season with a tough road loss to the Arizona Cardinals, falling 20-24. Week 2 might bring some relief against a much-weaker New York Jets team. The 49ers are 7.5-point favorites as of mid-Friday, with the line perhaps shifting further to favor San Francisco as game time nears. The over/under for the affair is set at 41.5 total points according to NFL oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes, and the game will air at Noon (EST) on FOX.
SF
Jimmy Garoppolo had a fairly decent game, but he got precious little help from the 49ers backfield. Garoppolo threw 19 of 33 for completion with a pair of touchdowns, and he did it spite of some weak line protection, also the reason he incurred three sacks for a total loss of 16 yards. Rasheem Mostert had a rough time on his 15 carries, averaging just 3.7 per attempt. Jerick McKinnon rushed three times for 24 yards but mysteriously did not get more touches for that 8 yards-per-attempt outing. The 49ers did average nearly five yards-per-carry, again making it somewhat perplexing that San Francisco attempted only 25 rushes in the game.
Mostert made up for his weak ground game, though, with an outstanding showing as a receiver. He caught four of five targeted passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon added a touchdown, as well, despite only catching three passes for 20 yards. The 49ers offense just seemed disorganized and at times sheerly without direction. Perhaps that changes some as chemistry developed, but even at its best, the 49ers looked like a team forcing a lot of plays it has yet to really perfect.
Then again, this was Week 1, so perhaps too much may be expected too soon. With Garoppolo finding himself in the Niners system, it is up to his running backs to step up and perhaps run a few more plays for George Kittle, who did have 44 yards on four catches, but he had just five targeted to him and his long-play was only 14-yards.
NYJ
The New York Jets began its season in familiar form, getting smashed by another rather mediocre team in the Buffalo Bills, never mind the fact it was by double-digits, falling 17-27 on the road to Buffalo.
Sam Darnold had his struggles. He threw 21 of 35 for completion but averaged just 6.1 yards-per-completion and he threw an interception along with being sacked three times. The backfield did close to nothing. Frank Gore and Le’Veon Bell combined for 12 carries and 38 yards, between them, and the rest of the team carried just three times, with one of those being Darnold’s own 6-yard rush. 15 rushes for 52 yards will do little to aid victory while the QB is throwing picks and getting sacked, and the Jets were probably lucky to finish the game with two touchdowns after falling behind 21-3 at the half.
Marcus Made and Brian Poole both had strong games for the Jets defense, but there was just not enough pressure holistically from other positions. Maybe had 10 tackles, seven solo, along with two sacks and two tackles for loss. Poole added nine tackles, eight of which were solo, along with a sack and a tackle for loss. The duo will have to rally their teammates to increase the intensity and pressure to hopefully force Garoppolo into a few more miscues that could swing this in the Jets’ favor.
As something of a heavy underdog, there is no reason really not to go on a blitz fest in hopes of swinging this one in the Jets’ favor.
