by Sports Xchange

Updated: December 4, 2008, 3:20 AM EST

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Veteran QB Brett Favre has been asked to be more of a game manager in recent weeks. The Jets are trying to minimize some of the mistakes he has made through questionable decision-making. Favre has thrown 14 interceptions, but only three in the last five games. The Jets also are having trouble going deep because their wideout can't get enough separation. David Clowney, who was a revelation during the preseason before suffering a fractured clavicle, is healthy now but has yet to appear in a game. He is the fastest wide receiver on the squad.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB David Harris (groin surgery) practiced Wednesday on a limited basis and could play against San Francisco.

--CB Ty Law is expected to make a third straight start at RCB this week.

--TE Bubba Franks (hip) is off the injury report. He hasn't played since being injured at Oakland on Oct. 19. If he can return to the lineup, the Jets would no longer have to use linemen Robert Turner and Wayne Hunter as extra tight ends so frequently.

--SS Eric Smith {lingering effects from concussion) practiced Wednesday on a limited basis and could play against the 49ers.

--WR Jerricho Cotchery has been playing through a shoulder injury the past few weeks, yet still has 31 catches over the last six games.

GAME PLAN: With dry weather and mild weather in the forecast, expect Brett Favre to get a much firmer grip on the ball than he did in the rain-swept loss to Denver. If his receivers are finally able to get some separation that will lead to some downfield throws against a San Francisco defense that doesn't blitz all that much. Running back Thomas Jones, who topped the 1,000-yard plateau against Denver, keeps doing his thing and Leon Washington makes some big plays in the return game after being held in check in the last two games. On defense, the Jets should be more aggressive than they've been in recent games, to get some pressure on QB Shaun Hill. Meanwhile, they hope the run defense returns to form after a subpar outing against Denver and prevent RB Frank Gore (926 yards) from reaching the 1,000-yard plateau this week.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis vs. 49ers WR Isaac Bruce. Revis has been the best and most consistent player for a struggling secondary, and had four pass breakups against Denver. Bruce, in his 15th NFL season, isn't the player he once was, but his six touchdown catches this season are the most he's had since 2004, and he is averaging 16.0 yards per reception.

Jets TE Dustin Keller vs. 49ers FS Mark Roman. Keller is fast becoming Brett Favre's favorite target, and with seven receptions against Denver, he now has 27 catches in the last four games. Keller can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, as he is too physical for defensive backs yet also too fast to be covered by linebackers.

Jets NT Kris Jenkins vs. 49ers C Eric Heitmann. The 285-pound Casey Wiegmann did a good job against Jenkins, which helped enable Denver's Peyton Hillis to rush for 129 yards, although part of the problem for the Jets was the Broncos' zone-blocking schemes. San Francisco's Frank Gore is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and is 74 yards shy of a 1,000-yard campaign.

INJURY IMPACT: LB David Harris (groin surgery) is getting closer to returning, and the Jets certainly could use him. Harris, who practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, is excellent in coverage over the middle, and teams are exploiting the Jets in that area. Plus, savvy veteran David Bowens, who has started the last five games in place of Harris, is an excellent pass rusher. If Harris returns, Bowens could be used more in that role.

SS Eric Smith, who left the game against Kansas City on Oct. 26 with some apparent post-concussion problems, has missed five games but also is getting closer to returning, and he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. At first, there seemed to be no real drop-off to backup Abram Elam, but Elam allowed two touchdown passes against Denver and teams are exploiting him downfield. Smith is solid in coverage for the most part.

Backup TE Bubba Franks (hip) is off the injury report but still hasn't played since Oct. 19. The Jets likely held him out against Denver because of the rainy conditions, but he should be ready to go in dry weather at San Francisco. Without Franks, the Jets have been using offensive linemen as extra tight ends in running situations, because rookie Dustin Keller's blocking still is suspect, although he is improving. But if Franks returns, the Jets won't have to telegraph their intention to run so often by putting lumbering linemen in as extra tight ends.