The season is just starting, but Monday night might offer a preview of February.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets head west to take on Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers in the first matchup of the 2024 "Monday Night Football" slate in Week 1. Both teams are favorites to lift the Lombardi trophy, but 2023 couldn't have gone any different for either squad.

After an offseason of hope and promise, Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon and missed the entirety of the 2023 season after just four plays as Jets quarterback. While there was a will-he-won't-he saga of returning, the team ultimately fell short of the playoffs, a bitter end to a season that was dripping in Super Bowl hype.

The 49ers made it to the last game of the season, but again fell just short of a 'chip, and again it was to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. After navigating some tough contractual waters involving wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tackle Trent Williams, Kyle Shanahan's offense seemed whole and ready for ascend to the top of the NFC once again. However, the 49ers will be without one of the NFL's most dynamic playmakers against the Jets with Christian McCaffrey ruled out.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the opening matchup of the 2024 "MNF" schedule between the Jets and 49ers.

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What time is 49ers vs. Jets?

Jets at 49ers will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

49ers vs. Jets TV channel

• TV channel: ABC | ESPN | ESPN2

ESPN again is the broadcast home of "Monday Night Football." The longtime team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color) will be on the call, with Lisa Salters adding reports from the sideline.

Viewers can also tune to ESPN2 for the "ManningCast" featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.

49ers vs. Jets live stream

• Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo TV

For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo TV. Fubo TV carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.

ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game.

Jets vs. 49ers inactives: Christian McCaffrey out

Christian McCaffrey won’t be on the field Monday night.

The San Francisco 49ers ruled McCaffrey inactive before the team’s season opener against the New York Jets because of calf and Achilles injuries. 

McCaffrey was listed on the team’s injury report as “questionable." The running back has been dealing with a calf injury since early August. But many anticipated the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year to be available for the team’s highly anticipated season debut versus Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

Running back Jordan Mason is slated to replace McCaffrey in the 49ers’ backfield.

Jets' inactive players:

• OL Max Mitchell
• RB Israel Abanikanda
• OT Carter Warren
• TE Brenden Bates
• DL Eric Watts
• DL Leonard Taylor
• CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse

49ers' inactive players:

• QB Joshua Dobbs
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• CB Darrell Luter Jr.
• S Talanoa Hufanga
• DL Yetur Gross-Matos
• LB Dee Winters
• OL Ben Bartch

49ers vs. Jets: Predictions and picks

Here are the USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:

• Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers
• Tyler Dragon: 49ers
• Richard Morin: 49ers
• Jarrett Bell: Jets
• Safid Deen: 49ers
• Nate Davis: Jets
• Chris Bumbaca: Jets
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Jets

Jets vs. 49ers odds

The 49ers are favorites to defeat the Jets, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024.

• Spread: 49ers (-4)
• Moneyline: 49ers (-210); Jets (+170)
• Over/under: 43

How to watch 49ers vs Jets on MNF amid DirecTV-Disney dispute

With DirecTV and Disney still bickering like an old married couple, DirecTV customers looking to watch "Monday Night Football" between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets on ABC Monday are in for a rude awakening when they realize DirecTV no longer carries that channel.

This predicament leaves NFL fans with quite the conundrum. How are they supposed to watch the NFL's Week 1 conclusion? Well, there is a multitude of ways to get your NFL fix Monday night without DirecTV. — Jon Hoefling

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