Jets vs. 49ers: Monday Night Football Week 1 Pick for Fanduel

Even though it feels like the Carolina Panthers' 2024 season is already over, there is technically still one game left in Week 1. That's right, other teams still have hope and joy in football. Other teams did not lose 47-10 to the New Orleans Saints. Other teams did not lose their most talented player of the season today. Other teams include the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, who face off in the final game of Week 1 and feature stars like Aaron Rodgers, other Jets players, Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy.

Kicking off on the West Coast at 8:15 p.m. Eastern tonight, last season's NFC champions will face one of the biggest question marks in the AFC. That question mark for the Jets isn't the same as it is for the Panthers. Their team's talent and reputation are relatively unassailable. The question is how much gas Rodgers has left in the tank. They will field a talented and well-coached defense under head coach Robert Saleh. But can a 40-year-old Rodgers maintain his former elite level of play a year after tearing his left Achilles tendon?

As always, in our brave new world of comprehensive sports betting, it's easier to bet on games than watch them. Find current odds for all Week 1 NFL games here on FanDuel.

I'm a fan of everything the 49ers have done over the last few years and am always happy to see McCaffrey succeed in greener pastures. I'm not convinced by Saleh's defense – or any defense for that matter – against 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and I'm not convinced by Rodgers' return to form. I may take those words back, but an Achilles injury is hard to overcome in this league in your early 30s. That's why I'm choosing the San Francisco 49ers to win tonight.

I would change that prediction in the first quarter if Rodgers gets tackled by Alijah Vera-Tucker, his right guard, and Vera-Tucker gets a flag for roughness on the passer. Barring that Panthers-style scenario, I'm sticking with the 49ers in a thrilling shootout.

As always, use this space to talk about the action as it develops.

You know the game.

This is now an open thread!