Last Updated on August 11, 2010 4:42 pm by Anthony Rome
49ers Season Odds
Postseason hopes are high in the “City By the Bay,” as the San Francisco 49ers are generating some excitement heading into the 2010 NFL Season.
In free agency, the Niners signed former Lions’ cornerback William Jones and also added former Arizona linebacker Travis LaBoy. San Fran traded for former first round pick Ted Ginn Jr. as well, bolstering their receiving depth and also addressing their need for a kick returner.
Heading into April’s draft, the 49ers targeted the safety, offensive line, running back and linebacker positions. In the first round, San Fran addressed its biggest need by selecting to offensive linemen in Rutgers’ tackle Anthony Davis (11th overall pick) and Idaho guard Mike Iupati (17th overall pick). In the second round, the team was ecstatic that USC safety Taylor Mays fell to them at No. 49, as well as when Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman slipped to them in the third round.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com currently list the San Francisco 49ers at 20/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 10/1 to win the NFC. They’re also –130 on the money line to win the NFC West and have an over/under win total of 8.5 for regular season wins.
There’s excitement brewing in San Francisco, and for good reason. Quarterback Alex Smith has received plenty of rave reviews so far in camp, and he’ll have a couple of excellent weapons to use at his disposal in tight end Vernon Davis, running back Frank Gore and receiver Michael Crabtree.
But the Niners will only go as far as their offensive line takes them. They plan on starting both Davis and Iupati this season and while both rookies have promising futures ahead of them, they’re still first-year players. Plus, center Eric Heitmann will miss the next four to six weeks due to an injury, which means David Baas (the former starter at left guard) will play center. Now that Davis is starting at right tackle, Adam Snyder has to make the transition from tackle (where he was awful last year) to right guard.
If the O-line can produce, then there’s no reason why the 49ers can’t win a weak NFC West Division. But everything rides on whether or not the team’s young, banged up line can protect Smith.
2011 Super Bowl Odds: San Francisco 49ers 20/1
Odds to win NFC: San Francisco 49ers 10/1
Odds to win NFC West: San Francisco 49ers -130
2010 NFL Regular Season Win Total: San Francisco 49ers O/U 8.5
Posted: 8/11/10 4:40PM ET