The first Monday Night Football matchup of the 2024 NFL season is set to be a thrilling one as the San Francisco 49ers host the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST, and fans can expect a high-stakes battle between two teams with much to prove.
NFL Week 1 Monday Night Football Matchup
The 49ers are coming off a successful 2023 season, where they finished with a 12-5 record and made it all the way to the Super Bowl before falling short against the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiming to rebound from that disappointing ending, San Francisco had a noisy offseason that included re-signing receiver Brandon Aiyuk, extending All-Pro tackle Trent Williams, and dealing with the off-field turmoil surrounding their 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in a shocking incident but is expected to make a full recovery.
Statistically, the 49ers were among the NFL’s elite teams last season, finishing first in total offense (396.2 yards per game), second in scoring offense (28.6 points per game), and fourth in scoring defense (18.8 points allowed per game). With most of their key starters returning, they remain one of the most balanced and formidable teams in the league heading into 2024. This game will be their first step in what they hope will be a journey back to the Super Bowl and, ultimately, their first championship since 1995.
The New York Jets endured a tough 2023 campaign, largely due to the early-season loss of newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles on the team’s first drive of the season. Without Rodgers, the Jets’ offense struggled mightily, finishing 29th in points per game (15.8). However, their defense remained strong, ranking in the top 10 by allowing just 20.9 points per game, helping the team finish with a 7-10 record.
The Jets have made significant strides in the offseason to protect Rodgers and bolster their offense, including signing veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith and drafting standout lineman Olu Fashanu. With Rodgers back under center, the Jets have playoff aspirations and hope to make a deep run in 2024.
Fantasy Outlook
From a fantasy football perspective, my eyes will be on how the 49ers utilize running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey, who dealt with an Achilles issue during training camp, is listed as questionable for the game, but 49ers General Manager John Lynch has stated that McCaffrey will play and be “ready to roll.” As the consensus number-one overall pick in most fantasy drafts, McCaffrey’s role in the 49ers’ high-powered offense is crucial. It remains to be seen if he will receive his usual workload or be eased into action given the long NFL season and the importance of keeping him healthy.
On the Jets’ side, I am interested to see our first look at the Rodgers-to-Garrett Wilson connection. Wilson, who finished as WR26 in PPR formats last season, had an ADP of around 13 this year, reflecting the high expectations placed on him with Rodgers now throwing him the ball. Wilson is tremendously talented, so if Rodgers, 40, is able to deliver at a level in which we all know he can, there is no limit to Wilson’s fantasy potential.
The 49ers and Jets both have much at stake as they kick off their 2024 campaigns under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. For San Francisco, it’s about starting strong in their quest for a Super Bowl title, while the Jets aim to prove that they can compete with the league’s best with a healthy Aaron Rodgers leading the charge. Expect an exciting, hard-fought game that sets the tone for both teams as the season unfolds.