vs. 

The 49ers return home following an impressive victory at Buffalo.  At 4-8, a win over the Jets would equal last year's win total and improve Mike Singletary to 3-3 as head coach.  Maybe there aren't many playoff implications (please let the Cards lose again!), but a win would mean big things for Coach Singletary and the team.

The San Francisco 49ers host the New York Jets this weekend in what will be the 11th meeting between the two teams. The series dates back to 1971 and the 49ers hold a 8-2 overall advantage over the Jets. The last time San Francisco faced the Jets was in 2004 in New York, with the Jets winning the contest 22-14. Prior to that game, the 49ers had won five straight games over the Jets.

The 49ers enter this week’s game following a 10-3 road victory against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, QB Shaun Hill completed 14-of-23 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown for a passer rating of 96.5. It marked his sixth career game with a passer rating of over 95.0 in eight games of action with the 49ers, including six career starts. He now has a 4-2 career record as a starter. WR Isaac Bruce led the team with 66 receiving yards on five catches, which included his sixth touchdown reception of the season. The Bills defense entered the 49ers red zone on four occasions, but San Francisco’s defense held tight and was able to limit Buffalo to one field goal on the day.

NEW YORK JETS 22, SAN FRANCISCO 14
At East Rutherford, NJ, October 17, 2004

RB Curtis Martin scored twice in the fourth quarter to rally the New York Jets to a 22-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. With the win, the Jets improved to 5-0 while the 49ers dropped to 1-5 on the season.

The game opened in fine fashion for the 49ers who scored their first, first quarter touchdown of the season. QB Tim Rattay was hot out of the gate and his 33-yard touchdown pass to WR Brandon Lloyd capped the scoring drive. The 49ers quarterback was 3-of-4 for 76 yards on the drive. He also rushed once for 11 yards to keep the chains moving. San Francisco extended its first half lead to 14-0 after a seven-play, 88-yard scoring drive in the second quarter. RB Kevan Barlow capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, although the key plays on the drive belonged to WR Curtis Conway and WR Arnaz Battle. Conway converted a third-and-four with a five-yard reception and Battle hauled in a career-long 65-yard reception from Rattay.

The New York Jets put their first points on the board with a 43-yard field goal from K Doug Brien with 2:12 remaining in the first half. The field goal made the score 14-3 in favor of the 49ers as the teams headed into halftime. Rattay completed a sizzling opening half by completing 11-of-16 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and a rating of 130.5.

The second half opened with the 49ers holding the ball for six minutes, but coming up without a point. The Jets took advantage on their opening possession with a 91-yard scoring drive midway through the third quarter. RB LaMont Jordan capped the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. The Jets tried a two-point conversion, but Jordan was stopped for no gain and the 49ers lead was five points at 14-9.

New York took its first lead of the game in the fourth quarter with another lengthy drive. Martin capped this one with a one-yard scoring plunge. The Jets again tried a two-point conversion, but were turned away by the 49ers defense. On its next possession, San Francisco moved the ball downfield and appeared to be within scoring range with second-and-eight at the Jets 27-yard line. However, a fumble on a reverse cost the 49ers eight yards and San Francisco was unable to convert on third down and was forced to punt.

The 49ers defense held the New York offense, forcing the Jets to punt and gave the ball back to the 49ers offense at the San Francisco 35-yard line with 1:44 remaining on the clock and three timeouts to work with. But on first down, Rattay was pressured by DE John Abraham and he abruptly threw the ball into the arms of linebacker LB Jonathan Vilma. Taking over at the 20-yard line, the Jets would march into the end zone with Martin scoring the final touchdown on a nine-yard run.

2008 Statistics