Preview: New York Jets (3-9) at San Francisco 49ers (1-11)

I think it's safe to say that this week's matchup between the San Francisco 49rs (1-11) and the New York Jets (3-9) can be called "The Battle of Who Cares Less." Each of these teams absolutely mailed in their Week 13 games and look ready to pack their bags. For the Niners, it would benefit them to start to get some answers going into the next season, but there doesn't seem to be too much to hang their hats on at the moment. The quarterback position will probably be a blank slate and it doesn't appear there are many weapons (sans Carlos Hyde and maybe Vance McDonald) who have looked like keepers. Defensively, the young talent is either injured or underperforming, and there are more questions on that side of the ball than anything else. Will San Francisco actually decide to show up this weekend?

Recent History

Ah, the good old days. The 49ers were firing on all cylinders the last time these two franchises hooked up, demolishing New York 34-0. The Niners showed then-Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, what a ground-and-pound attack was supposed to look like, amassing 247 yards rushing on 44 attempts. San Francisco had three players gain over 50 yards on the ground (RB Frank Gore, RB Kendall Hunter, QB Colin Kaepernick) and each of them scored a touchdown. CB Carlos Rogers got into the act with a 51-yard fumble return for a score, and the defensive bottled up QB Mark Sanchez and company, allowing only 145 total yards.

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Players to Watch

Considering general manager Trent Baalke has taken seven cornerbacks in the last three drafts, you'd think the 49ers would be in good shape at the position. Truth be told, however, they could be looking at two new starters next year. CB Tramaine Brock hasn't been good this season and per Pro Football Focus , had a coverage grade of 26.6 last week against the Chicago Bears. On the other side, Jimmie Ward has also begun to struggle and was graded at 38.2 in the game. Ward actually allowed catches on all three of his targets for 76 yards. Keep in mind, the Bears were playing with a 3rd string quarterback throwing to backup receivers, so this isn't a very good look for this pair. It would benefit the 49ers to move on from Brock and probably move Ward to safety (which is his natural position). To be fair, though, it's not like they have any resemblance of a pass rush in front of them to help them out.

I'd say that the Jets could be in some trouble with QB Bryce Petty behind center but, um, see above. Petty hasn't looked very good in limited work so far, going 32-of-59 with two touchdown passes and three picks. New York will rely heavily on RB Matt Forte to expose a Niners run defense that has allowed a 100-yard rusher in nine-of-twelve games. You'd also have to assume WR Brandon Marshall will be able to find room, as he's still been somewhat productive (53 carries for 711 yards and 3 touchdowns) despite the dysfunction around him.

Stats to Know

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Even though he was pulled in favor in QB Blaine Gabbert in the loss to the Bears, QB Colin Kaepernick will get the starting nod again. Kaepernick had been playing better up until Week 13's disaster, averaging 277.5 yards with 8 touchdown passes in his previous four games. But Kaepernick is limited throwing the football, and his questionable accuracy and decision making means the 49ers can't maintain consistent offense. Consider that in Kaepernick's last 25 starts, the Niners have a record of 6-19 and have averaged 16.4 points per game. Looking deeper and find that the team's only broken 18 points nine times during that stretch and the offense has scored three or more touchdowns only four times. These stats represent 10 games with head coach Jim Harbaugh, eight with Jim Tomsula, and seven with Chip Kelly. He may show signs here and there, but Kaepernick just isn't a quarterback you can build a team around.

Game Changing Factor

Through 12 games, the 49ers are last in the NFL in points allowed (370), yards allowed (4,995) and rushing yards allowed (2,032). The next worst in all three categories are the Cleveland Browns at 352, 4,800, and 1,687 respectively. So San Francisco has allowed 18 more points, 195 more total yards, and 345 more rushing yards than the next closest team, who just happens to be 0-12. Even though the Jets are struggling and starting Petty, there's no reason to think they won't able to move the ball. Pretty much everyone scores 30 (or close to it) on the 49ers.

By the Numbers

The 49ers have lost 11 straight games. That is a franchise record.

The 49ers offense has registered 456 rushing yards over the last 3 weeks, the 3rd-most in the NFL over that time span (BUF - 548, SEA - 519).

San Francisco's defense has registered 61 passes defended on the season, which is tied for 8th in the NFL and tied for 3rd in the NFC (NYG - 78, GB - 62, TB - 61).

With 1 point this week, K Phil Dawson would move past K Ryan Longwell (1,687 points) into sole possession of 15th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list.

News from the Week

Head coach Chip Kelly had been away from the team following Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears. He remained on the East Coast to be with his family following the death of his father, Paul Kelly, which occurred just two nights before the game.

This week, the 49ers are favored in a game for only the third time this season. The team is 0-2 in previous games where they were a favorite.

It was revealed that quarterback Colin Kaepernick had purchased a home in New York City over the summer. With news of the sale of his San Jose home and the option to opt out of his contract following the season, it brings into question the possibility that Kaepernick may already be looking beyond the 49ers for next season.

Pro Football Focus Stats vs. Bears

Matchup Information

Kickoff: Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Where: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California

All-Time Matchup: 49ers lead series 10-2

Last Meeting: 9/30/12, 49ers win 34-0, at NYJ

Current Streak: Won 2

Betting: The 49ers are 2.5-point favorites

NFL Fan Picks: 56% pick the Jets to win according to Yahoo! Sports

49ers Fan Picks: Within our Pick 'em Contest, 60% believe the 49ers will win

49ers Schedule: View full schedule

Jets News: Jets news at Problitz.com

Follow Game Online: NFL.com's Game Center

Discuss: Niner Talk forum

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Television and Radio

The game will be televised on CBS (Check 506 Sports to see if it is local).

Play-By-Play: Greg Gumbel
Color Analyst: Trent Green
Sideline Reporter: Jamie Erdahl

KGO 810 AM and The Bone 107.7 FM (Other markets) will carry the radio broadcast with Ted Robinson doing the play-by-play and Tim Ryan as the color analyst. ESPN Deportes and KKSF 910 AM will carry the Spanish broadcast.

San Francisco 49ers Injuries

Doubtful
T Joe Staley (hamstring)

Questionable
DT Quinton Dial (elbow), LB Aaron Lynch (ankle)

New York Jets Injuries

Out
S Antonio Allen (concussion), T Breno Giacomini (back, calf, shoulder), WR Jalin Marshall (concussion), DT Steve McLendon (hamstring), RB Khiry Robinson (leg)

Questionable
DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle)

Game Averages (Rank)

Individual Statistics