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Hill guides 49ers to upset of Jets

Dec 8, 2008 - 1:22 AM By Tom Kent PA SportsTicker Contributing Writing

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The New York Jets will be in no hurry to return to California.

Shaun Hill threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns and the San Francisco defense shut down Brett Favre as the 49ers upended the Jets, 24-14.

The defeat marked New York's third loss in California this season and dropped them into a three-way tie with New England and Miami atop the AFC East.

"We've lost our last two games, but we're still in good shape," Favre said. "But if we continue to play like this, we won't be."

The Jets (8-5) also were defeated by the San Diego Chargers 48-29, in week three before being upset by the Oakland Raiders, 16-13, in Week Seven.

"The travel element doesn't play a part," New York coach Eric Mangini said. "We have studies on it and everything else. It doesn't matter where we play, we have to play better. It just does not matter."

After losing at the Denver Broncos, 34-17, last week, the Jets' offense was stymied by the Niners (5-8). Favre totaled just 137 yards passing, including one interception and no touchdowns.

"We have to play better obviously," Favre said. "It's going to be a long flight home from this and I don't know how we'll feel tomorrow. We need to stick together and play like we did a few weeks ago."

Hill, who was making his fifth start of the season, improved to 3-2 since taking over the starting quarteback job from J.T. O'Sullivan. San Francisco won at Buffalo, 10-3, last week.

"I think it was a big step for me personally and this team," Hill said. "It was great beating two good teams in a row. I feel like we are coming together as a team."

The 49ers struck first when tackle Joe Staley alertly dove on wideout Jason Hill's fumble in the end zone to give the San Francisco a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was the first of Staley's career.

The Jets evened the score in the second quarter when Favre capped off a nine-play, 61 yard drive with a 2-yard plunge.

Leading 17-14 in the fourth quarter, San Francisco iced the victory when Hill hit Bryant Johnson with a 3-yard strike to complete the scoring at 24-14.

"When you have a game like we did today and finish like we did, it says a lot about our team," San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said.