NYJ-SF: 49ers Ensure Jets don't get any California Love this Season, Win 24-14

Remember when the Jets beat the Titans and Patriots, resulting in fans and the media booking their place in the Super Bowl with six weeks to play? Well, the Jets performance on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers raises a lot of red flags in regards to that prediction.

After much preemptive post season success talk after two convincing wins is now completely out of the picture. The Jets are trying to not lose their grip on a once promising season. Having lost two games in as many weeks, along with today's wins by New England and Miami, the Jets find themselves in a three-way tie in what was once a one-sided AFC East.

The Jets returned to the Golden State for the third time this season. This marked the most trips to the west coast in a season for the franchise. Having been pummeled by the San Diego Chargers in MNF in week three, and then losing to the lowly Oakland Raiders in OT in week seven, Gang Green needed a turn around after last week's debacle at home to Denver.

They received fantastic field position (SF 46) in their opening drive after San Francisco tried a surprise onside opening kick-off to no avail. However, the Jets' possession resulted in a three-and-out, making this the second consecutive game in which they failed to score on their opening drive.

San Fransico's first drive saw them utilize both the run and pass game, which got them to the Jets 26-yard line. Michael Robinson then had the ball knocked away from him, a fumble which was recovered by Calvin Pace. The Jets were lucky to stop a potential score, as the San Fran offense was rolling down the field. QB Shaun Hill threw for 33 yards on just three plays during the drive.

But Gang Green would squander the possession with a three-and-out after Thomas Jones came up a yard short on third down. The Niners almost gave the ball back when Arnaz Battle fumbled the ensuing punt return, which was luckily recovered by Reggie Smith.

The Shaun Hill show would resume on the following drive, which saw the QB rack up 68 yards on a mere five plays. The fumble bug would hit the Niners yet again, but this time in the end zone. Jason Hill's reception/fumble was thankfully recovered by tackle Joe Staley to put the Niners up 7-0.

The Jets would earn their first 1st down on the following drive, but ended up going nowhere as they were forced to punt once more. They would, however, even things up on their first drive of the second quarter with a Brett Favre rush TD for two yards. It would be Favre's first rush TD since 2006.

Hill and the Niners would respond immediately. QB Shaun Hill found Frank Gore for a four yard TD. Hill connected with three different receivers for over ten yards en route to finding the end zone.

The second half would see Shaun Hill's lone mistake of the day. He was picked off by David Bowens for 26 yards to set up another game-tying drive for the Jets.

It would take the Jets just four plays to make the score even after a 17-yard run by Thomas Jones. With this TD, Jones matched both Curtis Matin's club record for TDs rushing and four players’ record for total touchdowns.

The Niners would counter with a field goal to take the lead 17-14 despite having to face a 2nd and 20 at one point. Leon Washington would return the ensuing kick off all the way back, only for it to be canceled out by a holding call against James Ihedigbo. He would be credited for a 39-yard return.

The Jets couldn't shake off the call, and went three-and-out once more. Hill and his Niners would have better luck, as they found the end zone again with a 3-yard TD reception by Bryant Johnson, making the score 24-14. The drive ate substantial time off the clock as the Niners were able to keep the ball for over six and a half minutes.

Favre's last three drives would end miserably as he would be picked off for the 14th time this season and sacked three times as he couldn't get in rhythm.

With the loss, the Jets are now 8-5 and miraculously still in first place. Next week they take on the downward spiral that is the Buffalo Bills while the 49ers travel to Miami, who beat the Bills on Sunday. Next week's game is a must win if Gang Green hopes to make a real push for the playoffs with just three games left.

Fortunately for them, Buffalo has scored six points in their last two games and should allow the Jets to find their winning ways.

The Good: The only good thing for the Jets is that they don't have to come back to California this year after going 0-3 being outscored 88-56 in the process. They do, however, still have a date in Seattle in two weeks.

The Bad: The eight penalties stick out to me as one of the reasons for this loss, including a Kris Jenkins (or Cheech, as I shall call him for the remainder of the year) offside on a SF 4th and 1 or the huge holding call against Ihedigbo.

The Ugly: Ball possession was the reason the 49ers won today. Having almost 20 minutes more with the ball marked the biggest time-of-possession advantage in nine years.

Game Ball: Shaun Hill was fantastic for the up-and-coming San Francisco 49ers, throwing for 285 yards, 2 TDs, and a rating of 98.8.