The NFL spared no expense for Week 1 primetime games and we close out with the New York Jets (+4.5) heading west to play the San Francisco 49ers. Everyone remembers last season’s opening game for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, but let me set the stage: it was Metlife Stadium on September 11, the fighter jets were soaring above the stadium and Rodgers came out of the tunnel with the American flag. Minutes later the Jets’ season was basically over. Rodgers will be 40 years old at kickoff on Monday on a surgically repaired Achilles’ tendon and Super Bowl expectations for a franchise that has yet to win an official ring.
The 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl loss and some offseason turmoil surrounding Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams, but that is now behind them. Can they keep this window open with Purdy on a rookie deal or is it beginning to close? I can't wait to find out.'
George Kittle (SF) Over 3.5 receptions (-130)
This was a very tough game to handicap. Both defenses are top 3 in the league, we haven't seen Rodgers play since 2022 and he hasn't been in a Nathan Hackett offense since 2021. It's difficult to use the 2019-2021 seasons in that offense as a benchmark for his play, so I'm pivoting to a safer look to close out the week. Brandon Aiyuk will be earning that new paycheck Week 1 against Sauce Gardner and Deebo Samuel doesn't have it much easier with DJ Reed.