The Jets and the 49ers haven't played each other in four years, but Morgan Moses, who returned to the Green & White in the spring, is set to face the NFC defending champions for the second time in eight months.
Moses, acquired via trade with Baltimore on March 14, started for the Ravens at RT in B-More's 33-19 road victory over the 'Niners in Week 16. The Ravens capitalized on their 4 interceptions of Brock Purdy while Moses held Nick Bosa without sack and helped the line protect Lamar Jackson as the eventual MVP totaled 297 yards in the road triumph.
"Obviously, it's a different format, different game than last year," Moses said of the Jets-49ers Monday night tilt. "But some things are the same, we need to go out there and execute. Obviously, you want to be able to live in those third-and-short downs instead of those third-and-long. They have prolific pass rushers, prolific interior guys, they have guys on every level."
Also in that matchup was Jets LG John Simpson, acquired as free agent in March. According to Pro Football Focus, Simpson and Moses allowed 0 sacks, 0 QB hits and 3 pressures combined against a 'Niners defense that finished seventh in sacks last season (48).
"Just knowing the personnel, just knowing the coaching staff, this defense is a high-profile defense with guys stop the run, they play together," Moses said. "You can tell just watching film they're all on one accord, and it's a great task for us to go out there."
Held without a sack on Christmas night, Bosa flashed his high motor with 3 TFL in defeat.
"Predominantly, I played against Bosa last year," Moses said. "And I look forward to the matchup. He's a great player, the things he's done in the NFL since he's been in the league, it's been phenomenal, and I look forward to it."
Moses will play a critical role on a rebuilt Jets' offensive line that also features LT Tyron Smith. They'll clash with a 49ers unit that made several personnel changes in the offseason as well. Kyle Shanahan hired Nick Sorenson as his defensive coordinator, DE Leonard Floyd, DT Maliek Collins and OLB De'Vondre Campbell signed in free agency while DE Clelin Ferrell (WAS), DT Arik Armstead (JAX), DE Chase Young (NO) and LOLB Randy Gregory are no longer with the club.
Last season, the 49ers finished 8th overall in defense (303.9 yds/g), 3rd in rush yards allowed (89.7 yds/g) and T1 in INTs (22). The Jets will counter with their remodeled line, a healthy Aaron Rodgers and a talented skills group that is headlined by RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson.
"We've got to control the things we can control and obviously it's not going to be perfect," Moses said. "We've got to go out there and execute in a way where we're being successful in the yards and downs, you know second and five, third and two, those things where Aaron (Rodgers) can get to anything he wants to. … I know the guys are all up for the task that is right in front of us, and obviously we've got a great opportunity to start this thing and we look forward to it."
