If you want to jump on a bandwagon for the 2018 season, the San Francisco 49ers are taking applications. But you’d better hurry because a glance through the NFL talking head-o-sphere should show you tickets are going fast.
Though the 49ers finished 6-10 last season, they won their final five once they tossed the keys to newly-acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He’s still undefeated as an NFL starter (if you like your trivia) and while the oddsmakers at BetDSI Sportsbook don’t think that streak will continue, they are buying into the 49ers completely if the over-under win total odds are any indication. Take a look.
San Francisco 49ers 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 8.5 (-110)
Under 8.5 (-120)
The York family, in firing Jim Harbaugh a few seasons ago, completely destroyed their own team. There are still some pieces left of the unit Harbaugh got to three NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl, but not many.
Normally, this is where I’d come in with some harsh reality on Garoppolo and his prospects as a full season starter, but I’m not going to do that. I like the kid and think he’s the real deal. Kyle Shanahan has put an odd assortment of weapons around him, but they’re guys he can work with. Pierre Garcon has somehow still managed to remain relevant in his 11th season. He missed half of last year with injuries, but was on pace for another 1,000 yard season.
Jimmy Garoppolo almost sounds annoyed about having to go against the length throughout the #49ers defense. That’s exactly how Robert Saleh wants him to feel, I’m sure. A good sign that the defensive personnel is coming together.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) June 13, 2018
With Shanahan’s playcalling, Marquis Goodwin became a real NFL player and not just a speed threat. He nearly had a 1,000-yard season himself and if Garoppolo had started a game earlier, certainly would have. Second year wideout Trent Taylor is one you really need to keep an eye on, especially if you play daily fantasy. He’s the next Julian Edelman/Wes Welker and will no longer be a secret in the second half of the season.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have pieced together a defense with some talent, especially along the defensive front. Luckily for the 49ers, middle linebacker Reuben Foster got cleared of all his offseason issues and as long as Roger Goodell doesn’t stick his stupid nose in it (and that’s always a possibility) this could be a unit that could surprise some people.
Here’s the problem if you want to take the over here. Where are those nine wins coming from? I’m not going to do the math, but there are only so many total victories possible in a single season. Has San Francisco done enough to catch the Los Angeles Rams? Nope, so that means they’re probably vying for a Wild Card spot.
.@49ers CB Richard Sherman on QB Jimmy Garoppolo “…he takes his hand off the ball, you gotta be ready to break.” This is why Sherman has been one of the best in the league for so long. Great defenders find the “tells.”
— Tedy Bruschi (@TedyBruschi) June 14, 2018
Last year two teams in the NFC finished with 9-7 records and neither made the playoffs. I think the Dallas Cowboys will be better this season. The NFC South is full of monsters with three teams that all won at least 10 games last year.
If you want to be safe, you have to take the under. Here’s why I wouldn’t. If you’ve read through all these win total pieces (and I know you have), then you know I think that the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints are due to make a stumble. I don’t expect the Detroit Lions to be over .500, so the calculus is there for at least nine victories for SF, but maybe not a playoff spot. I’d roll the dice and take the over.
