One of the most anticipated Week 1 games of the regular season is the upcoming game between the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers, which has a lot of intriguing storylines.
Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Jets, will be playing for the first time since he tore his Achilles tendon four snaps into the previous season. On both teams, there are also three stars who may not wear uniforms for the game because of continuing contract holdouts.
Two weeks remain before New York and San Francisco play in the Bay Area on “Monday Night Football,” and it doesn’t seem like Gang Green Pro Bowl linebacker Haason Reddick, Niners star wideout Brandon Aiyuk, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will be on the field.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the game will also create NFL history by matching the top offensive and defense in terms of yards per play from the previous season.
The Jets allowed only 4.6 yards per play last season, led by first-team All-Pros in linebacker Quincy Williams and defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II, as well as three Pro Bowlers in Gardner and Williams. That was tied for the league’s best mark with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
Though Reddick’s signing was meant to elevate the defense, New York should once again field one of the finest defenses with all four players back.
With Aiyuk, fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel, Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey, the Niners led the NFL in yards per play. The offense is made much more potent by Aiyuk and Williams along the offensive line, thus the team may appear different when they play the Jets in Week 1.