In the Monday Night Football spotlight, the San Francisco 49ers will host the New York Jets, with storylines surrounding these teams and a history linking the clubs.

Remember, Jets head coach Robert Saleh served as the 49ers defensive coordinator for four years (2017-2020) before he became Gang Green’s lead skipper. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed his disappointment that the 49ers passed on him in the 2005 draft. New York signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, whom San Francisco selected in the first round of the 2020 draft.

By the way, both teams dealt with player holdouts, and the Jets still don’t know when edge-rusher Haason Reddick will join them. Over the last week, the 49ers signed extensions with wideout Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams.

Rodgers tore his Achilles in the Jets’ 2023 season opener, so this should be his first full game with Gang Green.

Michelino went against the consensus pick to ride with the Jets because he can see the 49ers coming out with offseason rust.

“Fine, I’ll say it. I believe the Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2024, and I LOVE them getting 4.5 points here. Maybe I’m blinded by the immense talent on this defense (despite the Reddick holdout), or the revamped offensive line or the fact that we’re about to witness maybe the single largest leap in skill at the quarterback position from one season to the next in NFL history.

“But even if I wasn’t, I have serious concerns about the Niners hitting the ground running after a tumultuous preseason with their stars. In this era of already diminished training camps, I’m wary whenever key players expedite their ramp-up after being limited by injuries or hold-in/holdouts impacting their preparation.

“With Rodgers salivating at the thought of returning to form in prime time and at the helm of the most talented roster he’s played on in years, I think we’re bound for an extremely close game decided by the margin of a field goal.”

Score Prediction: 49ers 24, Jets 19

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