I've lost all faith in mankind.
Brett Favre rushed for a score and Thomas Jones tied two team records with his 12th rushing touchdown and 14th overall this season, but Shaun Hill threw for 258 yards and two touchdown as the
49ers shocked the Jets 24-14 in San Francisco. The Niners dominated the time of possession (39:49 to 20:11) and converted 8 of 15 third downs to send the Green and White to their second straight defeat.
The tone of this game was set early as the Niners opened the game with an onside kick. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it showed that San Francisco was in it to win it. The Jets started with excellent field position (at the San Fran 46-yard line), but went three and out. Meanwhile, the Niners scored their first touchdown of the game on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Jason Hill coughed up the pigskin after a 6-yard reception to the Jets 1-yard line and left tackle Joe Staley fell on it for six. It was a harbinger of things to come.
Gang Green had no business being in this game as it moved into the final quarter, but there they were with the score knotted at 14-14. But Joe Nedney put the Niners up 17-14 with a 32-yard field goal early in the fourth and Hill hit Bryant Johnson for a 3-yard touchdown strike to turn out the lights.
The 49ers were more physical and played at a higher emotional level than the Jets all day. It was truly a sad site to behold. The loss dropped the Jets to 0-3 on the West Coast this season and puts them in a three-way tie for first in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
I'm convinced God hates me.
REASONS TO GET UP ON MONDAY:Harris returns. I was tempted to leave this spot blank since I'm so disgusted, but I need something to keep me from jumping off the ledge. David Harris saw his first action in five weeks after recovering from groin surgery and recorded 13 tackles and a half sack in his return. It really didn't matter in the grand scheme of things since the Jets were chasing guys in Red and Gold jerseys all day long, but it was good to see No. 52 back in action.
REASONS TO SLEEP IN ON MONDAY:Porous secondary. I joked that the Jets weren't going up against Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig in my little pregame writeup yesterday, but it sure looked like they were on Sunday. The only thing that distinguished Hill, Isaac Bruce and Frank Gore from those former Niner greats was their uniform numbers. OK, I'm exaggerating but the Jets had no answer for San Francisco's offense. Hill picked apart the Jets secondary at will and Bruce didn't look like a 36-year-old receiver as he hauled in six passes for 70 yards. Gore finished with just 52 yards rushing on 14 carries, but collected three receptions for 13 yards and scored a touchdown on a nifty 4-yard touchdown pass to put San Francisco up 14-7 with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Gore left the game early in the third quarter with an ankle injury and didn't return. I'm convinced he would have scored another touchdown if he didn't get hurt. Wide out Johnson also ran free in the secondary, catching six passes for 49 yards and a score. Whatever the Jets are doing in the defensive backfield just isn't working.
Stagnant offense. The Jets didn't have many opportunities on offense, but they struggled mightily when they had the football. Favre finished 20 of 31 for a paltry 137 yards and an interception and Jones finished the afternoon with just 10 carries (for 56 yards). Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery finished with only one reception each for a combined 15 yards. And the Niners were without their best cornerback, Nate Clements. The Jets allowed three sacks and were pushed around by the 49er defensive line all day. Again, it was a minor miracle that they were still in this game heading into the fourth quarter.
Phantom holding. Things were looking bleak after the Niners went up 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, but Leon Washington took the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for an apparent go-ahead touchdown. Apparent, I said. James Ihedigbo, who was knocked out earlier in the game, was called for holding and the score was wiped off the books. I looked at the replay a few times and I don't know what the officials saw. Special teams coach Mike Westoff was livid on the sideline and I can't blame him. Maybe I just didn't see the right angle or maybe the officials called the penalty on the wrong player, but it was the second straight week that the Jets were hosed on a call. The Jets didn't deserve to win this game by any stretch, but what's the freakin' story with the poor officiating?
My greatest fear has been realized -- it looks like the next three weeks will be a dogfight for the division crown. And even though I'm beside myself with rage after this loss, the Jets still control their own destiny. The battle for the playoffs will begin anew next week as the Jets will host the Buffalo Bills. The Bills started the season 5-1, but have lost six of their past seven to drop out of playoff contention.
Which team will continue their free fall?
I'm hoping it's not the guys in green.
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Who would have thought the last game of the season between the Jets and Dolphins could be huge.