SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- If the San Francisco 49ers were to win a second game during the 2016 season, Sunday's looked like it should have been it.

The opponent, the New York Jets, had been so bad in their last game that coach Todd Bowles had openly questioned his team's effort before backtracking when watching the film.

Adding to that, the now four-win Jets were coming off a short week after playing on Monday Night Football, had traveled across the country to play at Levi's Stadium and were starting Bryce Petty at quarterback.

None of it mattered, though, as the Niners got the same result they’ve gotten in each of their past 12 games: a loss. The Jets won 23-17 in overtime, extending the Niners' franchise record to a dozen consecutive defeats.

Much as other circumstances have failed to matter for the 49ers this season, it didn't matter that for the 10th time this season they scored first. It didn't matter that they thoroughly dominated the first quarter and were leading 14-0 at the end of it.

It didn't matter that running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 193 yards on 17 carries. It didn't matter that for the first time this season, a 49ers cornerback (Jimmie Ward) came up with an interception. It didn't matter that the Niners had six sacks on the day, the most by the franchise since November 2013.

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All of those positive developments were quickly wiped away by the usual cadre of mistakes. The Niners' propensity for closing out games like Geraldo Rivera rather than Mariano Rivera again reared its ugly head. There were countless missed tackles and opportunities for interceptions and shoddy run defense. The stuck-in-the-mud offense reappeared in the final 30 minutes.

The only new variable was a pair of missed field goals from usually reliable kicker Phil Dawson. Even the one player the Niners have been able to count on all season let them down when they had a chance to finally get a victory.

But nothing ever comes easy for these 49ers except, of course, losing. Sunday's loss was easily their worst of the season, and it would have been hard to believe if it wasn't so darn believable. Sure, they've been blown out many times, but considering the opponent, the situation and the early lead, this one was inexcusable.

If you're looking for the good news, take solace in the fact that the Niners didn't unnecessarily hurt their draft position with a victory. After all, that's about all that 49ers fans have to look forward to in this abysmal season.

A 1-15 season has always looked like a possibility, but given Sunday's defeat, possible has been upgraded to probable.