NY Jets should be considered favorites on MNF after Christian McCaffrey injury

The NY Jets received a shocking piece of injury news on Monday when it was revealed that San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey would be inactive for the team's season opener on Monday Night Football.

McCaffrey was sidelined for most of the summer with what the team is calling a calf/Achilles injury, but despite some concern, the All-Pro running back was expected to suit up for Week 1.

In fact, McCaffrey even told reporters a few days ago that there was no doubt he was going to play in tonight's game. Turns out, he was wrong. McCaffrey tested out his calf in pre-game warmups and it was determined that he was not cleared to play.

That means the 49ers will be forced to start former undrafted rookie Jordan Mason at running back, with normal backup Elijah Mitchell on the injured reserve. The Jets have a golden opportunity to take advantage of a beaten-up 49ers team early in the season.

NY Jets must capitalize on Christian McCaffrey's injury absence in Week 1

The Jets and 49ers' rosters are both constructed in similar ways, which shouldn't be a surprise given that both head coaches come from the same coaching tree. These two teams each share similar strengths and weaknesses.

While the Jets' defense remains one of the best in the NFL, the team is notably shaky when it comes to their interior run defense. Quinnen Williams is an All-Pro at his position, but the Jets struggled to defend the run when he was off the field last season.

The 49ers were expended to pound the rock and wear down the middle of the Jets' defense with McCaffrey. That might not be as easy now without their superstar running back.

The Jets should have a similar strategy entering this game. For as talented as San Francisco's defense is, they also don't have a particularly strong interior run defense. Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins are both excellent interior pass rushers, but their run defense leaves a lot to be desired.

Fortunately for the Jets, they still have their star running back Breece Hall. While the attention may be on Aaron Rodgers and his return to the gridiron, Hall should be the focal point of the Jets' offense tonight.

This game is going to be won in the trenches. It's going to be won by the team that's able to run the ball effectively. Without McCaffrey, that task just got a lot harder for the 49ers.

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