SANTA CLARA — The 49ers choked away a win they appeared to have locked up in the first half, falling 23-17 to the New York Jets in overtime.
Considering the lack of effort from the demoralized Jets in the first half, this loss is equally as embarrassing as last week’s 26-6 drubbing by the Chicago Bears, if not worse.
Bryce Petty found Robbie Anderson for a 26-yard deep play early in overtime and Bilal Powell finished the game on a 19-yard touchdown run. The 49ers were stuffed on fourth-and-1 to start the overtime period.
This was a Jets team that was humiliated on Monday Night Football, had to fly across the country on a short week and played their backup quarterback. They still found a way to win, because of course they did.
Chip Kelly’s play-calling and Colin Kaepernick’s lack of execution in the second half are continual issues that led to the 49ers losing their 12th game in a row. Kaepernick was 2/11 for 4 yards in the second half.
After playing lifeless football for three quarters, the Jets cut the lead to 17-14 on a Bilal Powell 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth. The 49ers got the ball back and tried to kill the clock, but on a third-and-16 with 2:42 left, Kelly called a screen pass to Shaun Draughn, which resulted in a loss of five yards — instead of giving Kaepernick a chance to make a play. The Jets got the ball back with 1:52 left and Nick Folk kicked a 50-yard field goal to tie the game with 38 seconds left.
Carlos Hyde stampeded past New York’s fourth-ranked run defense for a career-high 193 yards on 17 carries. Two of his runs went for 43 and 47 yards — both of those are also career highs. The 49ers jumped out to a 14-0 lead with 10:45 still left in the first quarter.
Jets players looked miserable from the opening whistle. And the undermanned 49ers defense took advantage, for the most part, turning in one of their best performances of the season.
Bryce Petty’s first pass from scrimmage was intercepted by Jimmie Ward. Jim O’Neil’s defense forced several three-and-outs, tackled well, sacked Petty six times and looked prepared. First-round pick DeForest Buckner added two of those sacks, upping his total to five on the season.
Surprisingly, Phil Dawson missed two field goals in the first half (44 and 48-yarders) that could’ve made this win more lopsided.
Torrey Smith landed awkwardly on his neck in the third quarter and was carted off. Daniel Kilgore injured his leg and did not return. Vance McDonald injured his shoulder and also did not return. Keith Reaser left the game with a migraine headache. Joe Staley missed his first game since 2010.
The 49ers (8-5) travel to play the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday.