The Jets' rush defense has had a series of bad days, averaging 148.7 yards allowed per game, with four rushing scores given up so far. The Dolphins posted 43/185/2 rushing vs. New York last week despite losing their #1 running back, Reggie Bush, halfway through the game. Enough said.
Gore and company have a great matchup to work with this week.
San Francisco was upset by the Vikings in Minnesota last week, and their rush D fell apart to allow 41/146/1 to Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder - however, the team is still ranked eighth in the NFL averaging 91 yards allowed per game, with just one rushing TD given up to date - they had a bad game, but I don't think this is the start of a downwards trend.
The Jets aren't running the ball particularly well, and they have to face an annoyed, elite defense this week - advantage, San Francisco.
Mark Sanchez threw for over 300 yards for the first time this year at Miami (21/45 for 306 yards, one TD and two interceptions thrown, with one sack for -6 yards taken). He targeted Santonio Holmes the most (14 for 9/147/0) but Jeremy Kerley got the TD with three targets for 2/73/1 receiving. Dustin Keller didn't make the trip (sore hamstring) so backup tight end Jeff Cumberland got the start and saw six targets, but managed just 2/25/0 receiving. We'll see if Sanchez can build on the momentum of the big win against the mighty 49ers.Speaking of the 49ers, they were humbled in Minnesota last week, allowing 21/35 for 198 net yards, two TDs and zero interceptions (with zero sacks generated) to Christian Ponder and company. They enter week four ranked 13th in the NFL averaging 230.3 net passing yards per game, with five pass TDs given up vs. two interceptions (tied for 15th in the NFL) and five sacks (tie-22nd) generated so far.
Sanchez is on the upswing coming into this contest, while the 49ers' mediocre pass D looked vulnerable in Minnesota - advantage, Jets.
Alex Smith threw 24/35 for 204 yards, one TD and one interception (with three sacks taken for -13 yards), and he added 4/26/0 rushing to his team's totals during the 13-24 loss to the Vikings last week. Vernon Davis (eight targets for 5/53/1) and Michael Crabtree (eight for 6/40/0) led the team in targets, but Mario Manningham led in receiving yards (five for 5/56/0 receiving) - Randy Moss chipped in six targets for 3/27/0 receiving during the loss. The 49ers weren't terrible last week, just not good enough.The Jets' pass D took a hard knock last week when shut-down corner Darrelle Revis was lost for the season due to a torn ACL - former first round pick Kyle Wilson (2010 1.29) will try to fill Revis' shoes going forward. So, even though the Jets come into this game ranked 11th in the NFL averaging 218.7 net yards allowed per game, realize that this week's secondary is significantly different (and likely less capable) than the one that played for the first three weeks of the season.
Smith and company are methodical but unexciting most weeks - against the wounded Jets we think they have an even shot at a respectable game on Sunday. Note that the Jets' run D is soft, so Frank Gore and company will likely have more carries than Smith has pass attempts during week four.
PREDICTION: LAST WEEK WAS JUST A BAD WEEK FOR THE NINERS. THEY UNDERESTIMATED THEIR OPPONENT AND PONDER HAD A GREAT GAME. DONT EXPECT THAT TODAY. SAN FRAN WILL POUND THE JETS INTO THE GROUND. AND SANCHEZ WILL BE WELL SANCHEZ. LOL.....49ERS BOUNCE BACK TODAY AND I WILL CASH THIS TICKET.
SAN FRANCISCO -3.5