49ers vs. Jets: A prospector’s guide

The San Francisco 49ers host the New York Jets this Sunday in a matchup with draft pick implications, and some measure of pride on the line. The game kicks off at 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS, with Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, and Jamie Erdahl on the call.

This game is, well, it’s a football game. But it is probably in the running for worst games of the year. You can look through matchups involving the Jets, 49ers, Bears, Jaguars, and Browns to find other awful matchups, but considering how Week 13 went for these teams, it’s hard to find a worse pairing.

The 49ers entered Week 13 vs. the Chicago Bears looking like a slightly improving offense and an adequate defense. They took a 6-0 lead in the first half, but a late second quarter touchdown seemed to open the floodgates en route to a 26-6 loss. The Jets on the other hand had a home Monday Night Football game against a stumbling Indianapolis Colts team. They proceeded to get beaten down handily, losing 41-10 and benching quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in the process.

The 49ers and Jets don’t have extensive history. The last time they met was at MetLife Stadium in 2012. The 49ers pummeled them, 34-0, in a game I was actually able to attend. The 49ers took an early 7-0 lead on a Colin Kaepernick touchdown run (a gadget play in place of Alex Smith). The 49ers did not dominate from an offensive perspective, but instead this was a defensive onslaught. They held the Jets to 45 yards rushing, and Mark Sanchez had 103 passing yards. The 49ers had one interception and three fumbles recovered, including one that Carlos Rogers ran back 51 yards for a score. By the fourth quarter, the 49ers chants were loud, while Jets fans had quickly departed.

This game is all about draft position. If the 49ers win, things could tighten up with the Jacksonville Jaguars. If the 49ers lose, they will be significantly closer to locking up no worse than the No. 2 pick. The Jets are currently tied with the Bears for the fourth and fifth picks. The two teams are tied in strength of schedule. If the which means it would go to a coin flip in March. If the Jets win, they could move into a tie with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams depending on those two’s results this weekend. If the Jets lose, they pull to within a game of the 49ers, and remain in the mix of a top four pick. THE STAKES ARE HIGH!

Matchups: 12
Series Record: 49ers lead series 10-2
49ers Home Record vs. Jets: 49ers lead series 4-1
First Meeting: 11/28/71, 49ers win 24-21, at NYJ
Last Meeting: 9/30/12, 49ers win 34-0, at NYJ
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (12/7/86 – 10/1/01)
Longest Jets Win Streak: 1 – 2 times (Last 10/17/04)
Most 49ers Points: 36 (9/6/98): 49ers win 36-30 (OT), at SF
Most Jets Points: 30 (9/6/98): 49ers win 36-30 (OT), at SF
49ers Shutouts: 1 (9/30/12), 49ers win 34-0, at NYJ
Jets Shutouts: None

S ANTOINE BETHEA

• In six career games vs. NYJ, has recorded 31 tackles and 1 FF.
• As a member of the Indianapolis Colts, registered 7 tackles and 1 FF vs. NYJ (1/8/11) (AFC-D).

K PHIL DAWSON

• As a member of the Cleveland Browns, converted 3 of 3 FGAs, including the 35-yd. game winning FG with 3:30 remaining in the 4th quarter at NYJ (10/27/02).

QB COLIN KAEPERNICK

• Rushed for 50 yds. and 1 TD, the first rushing TD of his NFL career, on 5 atts. at NYJ (9/30/12).