The San Francisco 49ers are a classic example of a team with potential for a Super Bowl hangover. They had a double-digit lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, only to see the Chiefs’ defense stiffen and the Chiefs’ offense figure out the San Francisco scheme…and for the Chiefs to come all the way back and win the Lombardi Trophy and the world championship. One of the 49ers’ top receivers, Emmanuel Sanders, is now in New Orleans, and the 49ers have some questions to answer on defense after the offseason as well. If you like their NFL betting odds to win the Super Bowl this time around, look at our breakdown of their 2020 schedule.
NFL Betting: San Francisco 49ers 2020 Schedule Analysis
Week 1: vs Arizona
Arizona will be vastly improved this year, but I’m not sure the virtual offseason gives the Cardinals time for DeAndre Hopkins and Kyler Murray to build chemistry. However, I’m not sure that the 49ers will have put themselves together mentally against a Cardinals team that almost beat them twice last year. Prediction: Loss
Week 2: at N.Y. Jets
Sam Darnold is a quality quarterback but suffers against quality defenses. Prediction: Win
Week 3: at N.Y. Giants
Back-to-back road games on the East Coast will be tough for the 49ers to negotiate. Can Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones topple the defending NFC champions? Not quite. Prediction: Win
Week 4: vs Philadelphia
The Eagles have a lot more speed at wide receiver than they had last year. However, Carson Wentz has not looked like his first-year self since that ACL tear. I think the 49ers can get to him just enough to eke out a win. Prediction: Win
Week 5: vs Miami
Tua Tagovailoa could run rampant against the 49ers…but if you look at the tape from his Alabama days, he absorbs huge hits because he thinks he’s faster than he is. This could be a trap game, but after already losing to Arizona, the 49ers should be focused. Prediction: Win
Week 6: vs L.A. Rams
The 49ers will appear again in prime time. Can the Rams take advantage after seeing Tua do some things last week? Again, I’m not big on Jared Goff anymore, and the 49ers have figured him out. Prediction: Win
Week 7: at New England
Jimmy G returns to the place where his NFL career began, and he is dueling with Jarrett Stidham. I expect a low-scoring game, but I expect the Niners to prevail late. Prediction: Win
Week 8: at Seattle
The Seahawks have been waiting for this since their Week 17 loss last year. Even if the stadium is still empty, Seattle has plenty of motivation. But will they be able to run the ball? Prediction: Loss
Week 9: vs Green Bay
The two teams met last year in the regular season and the playoffs, and both games were laughers for the 49ers. The Packers did nothing to improve their offense, so expect a similar outcome. Prediction: Win
Week 10: at New Orleans
The 49ers held on in a barnburner in the Crescent City last year, winning 48-46, and this year Emmanuel Sanders is playing for the other team. Prediction: Loss
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: at L.A. Rams
The 49ers will have the bye week to get ready for the Rams, but the Rams’ defense will be readier this time. Prediction: Loss
Week 13: vs Buffalo
Is this a possible Super Bowl matchup? Expect a low-scoring game as the defenses will take center stage. Prediction: Win
Week 14: vs Washington
The Redskins have Chase Young now, but the rest of their roster looks like a rebuilding team. Prediction: Win
Week 15: at Dallas
This is going to be that odd late-season game when Dallas shakes out of their collective funk and wallops a visiting team. Prediction: Loss
Week 16: at Arizona
The Cardinals will be pushing for a wild card at this point, and I see them riding that energy to a season sweep. Prediction: Loss
Week 17: vs Seattle
This could be the game for the division, once again. It’s in San Francisco this time, though, so I don’t see Seattle completing the sweep. Prediction: Win
Season Record Prediction: 10-6
