The Trey Lance era is set to begin in San Francisco amid high expectations. Across the sportsbook exchange, the 49ers are getting a lot of love. They’re tipped as the second-favorite to win the NFC West and they’re among the Top 5 favorites to make a run for the NFC Championship game and/or Super Bowl 57.
Read on for all you need to know about the San Francisco 49ers in this preseason series of NFL betting previews. We’ll check the latest NFL expert picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions before capping it all off with NFL picks for your consideration.
San Francisco 49ers Odds
- To win NFC West +175
- To win NFC +700
- To win Super Bowl LVII +1400
- To make Playoffs Y -225/N +185
Niners Offense
San Francisco is moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo and passing the reins to Lance. The kid has little football experience at the college and NFL level, but Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff see something special in him. Maybe they are right.
In an interesting twist, however, the team has retained Garoppolo as the backup quarterback, Talk about pressure on Lance. To have the same QB that led the Niners to two NFC Championship games (including last year) and delivered an NFC title and a Super Bowl runner-up finish looking over your shoulders each and every week – and maybe waiting for you to trip up – isn’t ideal.
The Niners offense is loaded with weapons including tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings. Lance couldn’t be in a better situation to start his career, but he’s an unknown that’ untried and untested. How will he perform under pressure when the game win or the season itself is on the line. Will he be able to make the clutch plays?
Player to Watch: QB Trey Lance
Take a Look at 2 Other NFL Analysis, Picks & Predictions
Niners Defense
This is without a doubt one of the most star-studded and feared defenses in the league. Top pass rusher Nick Bosa figures to lead the D-line that finished third overall in 2021. The Niners were seventh against the pass with 206.5 yards per game allowed and seventh against the run with 103.5 yards per game. They also allowed the 10th fewest points in the league at 21.5 points per game.
The Niners added cornerback Charvarius Ward, defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway, defensive end Kerry Hyder, linebacker Oren Burks, safety George Odum, defensive end Jordan Willis, cornerback Dontae Johnson,
Player to Watch: DE Nick Bosa
Niners Team Strength
There are many aspects of this team that can be deemed its strength, but the coaching staff gets the nod here. Arguably, Kyle Shanahan provides the most defining strength. It’s because of Shanahan this team is a perennial contender and that fact was evinced last season when they managed to overcome injuries and setbacks to can stay competitive and make a run all the way to the NFC Championship game.
Niners Team Weakness
Everybody is high on Lance without anything substantial to back it up. The young signal-caller lacks experience in the league. He only played a couple of NFL games in 2021 and the bulk of his college career is comprised of 17 games. One has to consider that his inexperience in the game is a weakness that is being brashly overlooked right now.
Niners Forecast
The markets are seriously high on the Niners, tipping them amongst the top contenders in the league in just about every single NFL betting market.
On balance, the Niners are a good team, coached by the widely respected Kyle Shanahan and supported by an enviable ensemble of talent across the roster. But with a wild card, Lance calling the offensive shots, don’t be surprised if the Niners are dealt a reality check. In short, expect the Niners to go through some growing pains and miss the playoffs this year.
