Frank Gore and the running game will be key for the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers keep becoming bigger and bigger favorites to win the NFC West. This is one of several changes in the updated NFL future odds.
Bookmaker.com has San Francisco as heavy 300 ‘chalk’ to win the NFC West. Arizona is next (plus 225), followed by Seattle (plus 1000) and St. Louis (plus 1600).
San Francisco’s ascension is due mostly to recent moves by its competitors. Arizona made a late change at quarterback, inserting the newly acquired Derek Anderson as the starter and releasing Matt Leinart. This is a big drop-off from the stability it had the last few years with Kurt Warner.
Seattle was busy over the weekend releasing veteran receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, running back Julius Jones and safety Jordan Babineaux. Houshmandzadeh was the only real surprise, especially with a large guaranteed salary. It looks like new coach Pete Carroll isn’t afraid to shake things up in the Pacific Northwest.
San Francisco still has its only question marks, namely quarterback Alex Smith. He couldn’t even beat out Shaun Hill at the start of last year. The former No. 1 overall pick will be mostly a game manager, relying on the running of Frank Gore and a defense that ranked fourth in the NFL last year in points allowed (17.6 PPG).
While San Francisco is the biggest division favorite in the NFC, San Diego holds that distinction in the AFC. It is 400 ‘chalk’ with Kansas City, Denver and Oakland all at least plus 600. Receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill are still holding out, but there doesn’t appear to be a division team ready to challenge.
Indianapolis favored in AFC odds
The Indianapolis Colts appear ready to shake off their Super Bowl defeat against New Orleans and make another title run. Peyton Manning and company are 400 favorites to win the AFC (525 favorites for the Super Bowl).
San Diego is next in conference odds at plus 445. Baltimore (plus 545) looks strong thanks to an improved passing attack with receiver Anquan Boldin and reportedly Houshmandzadeh as well. It also helps that rival Pittsburgh (plus 900) has a serious problem.
Ben Roethlisberger got his suspension reduced to six games, but the Steelers could start 35-year-old Charlie Batch with Byron Leftwich (knee) now injured. Batch hasn’t thrown more than 53 passes in a year since 2001. The schedule is also tough with Atlanta, Tennessee and Baltimore among the first four games.
New England and the New York Jets are both plus 600. The Jets just signed holdout cornerback Darrelle Revis and he’ll be ready for the Monday night opener against Baltimore.
New England has been hit hard with injuries on defense (Leigh Bodden, Ty Warren) and will be very young there. Holdout offensive guard Logan Mankins is not close to reaching an agreement.
NFC Odds crowded at the top
The New Orleans Saints are still the slight 375 favorite to win the NFC. However, history is against them as no NFC team has made back-to-back Super Bowls since the 1996-97 Green Bay Packers
The Packers are an up-and-coming team this year. The offense has looked tremendous with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They’re now the second favorite (plus 390) to win the conference, moving ahead of Dallas (plus 400). The Cowboys’ starting offense really struggled in the preseason with Tony Romo.
Minnesota is the final team of the ‘Big 4’ at plus 455. Brett Favre lost his leading receiver in Sidney Rice (hip) for at least six games. However, Favre didn’t come out of his latest retirement just to handoff to Adrian Peterson all game. Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian must step up to make these odds worthwhile.
San Francisco (plus 775) is next with its expected breeze through the NFC West. Atlanta (plus 1000) hopes to become the latest underdog to emerge from the NFC. The Giants, Cardinals and Saints proved over the last three years that anything can happen in this conference.