San Francisco 49ers 2021-2022 Season Preview, Odds and Win Totals

The San Francisco 49ers were a late comeback away from winning a Super Bowl in 2019. By the time 2020 rolled around, starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo got hurt six games in, and the 49ers found themselves at the back end of the NFC West at season's end, finishing 6-10 after winning the NFC just a year prior.

Longtime defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is gone; now the head man for the New York Jets, but the 49ers made a major addition this offseason. They moved up all the way to No. 3 in the NFL Draft to select Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. The selection was a major surprise to many, considering the team's long-rumored interest in Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, as well as Lance only starting 17 games at the FCS level. So far, Lance has lived up to the hype, making head coach Kyle Shanahan truly evaluate an actual QB competition during Training Camp. Right now, Garoppolo has the upper hand, but it could be sooner rather than later for when Lance takes over, especially if there's a slow start.

San Francisco's expectations for 2021 are amongst the top teams in the NFC, but several question marks across the board remain.

San Francisco 49ers 2021 Team Outlook

The quarterback competition has been the biggest storyline of the offseason. Jimmy G. has won a lot of games under center, going 22-8-0, but has he hit his ceiling? The 49ers also haven't had him on the field the way they would have liked, playing in just 31 games over four seasons.

The addition of Lance gives the 49ers a "toolsy" developmental quarterback with massive upside in Kyle Shanahan's offense. He rushed for over 1,100 yards back in 2019 for North Dakota State to go along with just under 2,800 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Whenever Lance takes over, it will be fascinating to see whether it's an indication that they're looking towards the future while also in "win-now" mode, or if they will give Lance the time needed to develop and make mistakes along the way.

At running back, the 49ers added an infusion of young talent to an experienced room with the selection of another "Trey," Trey Sermon out of Ohio State in the third round as well as Elijah Mitchell in the sixth. They'll join veteran Raheem Mostert and JaMycal Hasty, but the 49ers have rotated in backs for several years, likely indicating that many backs will have an opportunity to stay fresh and make a considerable impact.

At wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk put together a monster stretch in 2020 towards the back end of the season. In five games, from Weeks 8 -14 (he missed 9 and 11 being on the COVID list), Aiyuk was targeted 62 times, catching 39 passes for 453 yards and four touchdowns. With Deebo Samuel back healthy, both receivers should take massive steps forward as the leading two receivers on the team.

The 49ers also will have a healthy George Kittle, a consensus top 3 tight end in the league when on the field. Kittle, like many 49ers missed a ton of games last year due to injury.

The offensive line remains a top 10 unit, coming in at No. 9 in Pro Football Focus' 2021 rankings. Trent Williams and Alex Mack are among the best at their tackle and center positions, and Matt McClinchey on the right side is among the best run blockers in the league.

Defensively, with Robert Saleh gone, DeMeco Ryans moves up after three years of coaching inside linebackers in San Francisco. Despite key injuries to Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman and Dee Ford, the 49ers defense still finished top 5 in yards allowed. Bosa and Arik Armstead will play on the ends, with Javon Kinlaw inside at defensive tackle.

At linebacker, Fred Werner remains a consistent top option in the middle of the field, with Dre Greenlaw lined up with him on the strong side.

Lastly, at defensive back, Jason Verrett will need to remain healthy with Richard Sherman no longer a 49er. Ambry Thomas will likely start on the other cornerback position with Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt lining up at safety.

San Francisco 49ers 2021 NFL Draft

The 49ers moved three first round picks to the Miami Dolphins (who owned the Houston Texans' pick) to select their quarterback of the future in Lance at No. 3 overall. After Lance, San Francisco used their second round pick on Notre Dame guard Aaron Banks, and then taking Sermon from Ohio State in the third round.

The Niners then selected Sermon's bitter Big Ten rival in cornerback Ambry Thomas out of Michigan, followed by two fifth round picks at guard and safety, and another running back in Elijah Mitchell in the sixth round from Louisiana.

San Francisco 49ers Team Odds: Division (+180), Conference (+550), Super Bowl (+1300)

The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are split right down the middle based on the WynnBET odds. Both L.A. and San Francisco are tied as co-favorites at +180 odds to win the toughest projected division in football this season. The Seattle Seahawks follow at +260 odds, with the Arizona Cardinals behind all three at +500.

The 49ers and Rams have serious championship consideration from the oddsmakers as well; tied with the Green Bay Packers to win both the NFC (+550). For Super Bowl odds, the 49ers come in at +1300, just a tick behind the Rams at +1200.

San Francisco 49ers Regular Season Win Total: 10.5 WINS | OVER (-115), UNDER (-105)

Ben Heisler: 

I'm genuinely torn on how to handicap the 49ers' upcoming season.

On one hand, they have an outstanding offensive-minded head coach in Kyle Shanahan that will maximize their talent on that side of the ball, yet don't appear to have a concrete plan on when their starting quarterback will pass the batton. They're also constantly hurt, leading to whiplash for bettors who have envisioned a breakout in every year except for 2019.

I do think their defense will regress, however. This shouldn't come across as a knock on new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, because he's keeping Saleh's system that's been so effective. But there will be an adjustment period that I believe is going largely unnoticed. Bosa being back will help a great deal, but Armstead and Kinlaw did not play well last season, and I don't know whether a new coach from that same system can help maximize their talent.

I also think their secondary has the potential to miss several games. Verrett was really good, but other than last year he's never stayed healthy.

Lastly, remember that this is the division of doom in the NFC West. Literally, every team is good and will beat up on each other throughout the season. Ultimately I still like the Niners to get to double-digit victories in a 17-game season, but I'm not counting on any more than 10.

PREDICTION: UNDER 10.5 WINS (-105)

EXACT WIN TOTAL: 10 WINS (+325)

Donnavan Smoot: 

The 49ers aren’t doing what I would do at quarterback -- which is start the quarterback they traded up to the No. 3 overall pick to get in Trey Lance -- but they still have my support in the NFC West. 

San Francisco had its season ripped to shreds because of injuries and COVID-19 last season. The 49ers even had to move to Arizona just to play their games. This season, they are healthy and at home, which I expect to make a world of a difference. 

When it comes to scheme and offensive design, Kyle Shanahan is as good as it gets. His system is set up for any quarterback, including Jimmy Garappolo to go out and thrive. Jimmy G is going to have help. Deebo Samuel and Raheem Mostert are going to be healthy, along with the expected emergence of Brandon Aiuyk and Trey Sermon. The 49ers still have a great offensive line and one of the best defenses in the league, which sets them up for success.

Even with injuries on defense, the 49ers were still good. They allowed the 5th-least yards in the league and the 4th-least rushing touchdowns. They showed their vulnerability in the passing game, but should see an improvement with the pass rush expected to give the coverage team a boost. 

San Francisco is going to compete with the Rams for the division, but I think San Francisco will walk away from the season with the NFC West title. 

PREDICTION: OVER 10.5 WINS (-115)

EXACT WIN TOTAL: 13 WINS (+800)

Peter Dewey:

Oddsmakers are sold on the San Francisco 49ers being one of the top teams in the NFC this season, but I’m not as convinced. 

The 49ers made the Super Bowl in 2019 behind a strong defense and elite running game, but they took a major step back in 2020 due to injuries to several key players including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. 

The team showed how little confidence it has in Jimmy G by drafting Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and it’s a big reason why I’m going to fade the 49ers’ win projection this season. 

Garoppolo is going to get the nod as the team’s starter, but if the 49ers are so low on him that they drafted Lance, why should I back him to make them one of the better teams in the NFC? Even if Lance does take over at some point this season, it’s either going to be because Garoppolo was playing poorly, or because of an injury. 

Lance showed he still has a bit of a learning curve to go in the NFL after sitting out most of the 2020 season in college, so I don’t expect him to walk right in and play lights out. 

The 49ers’ defense will be good, but they did lose Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon in the secondary. The NFC West is a juggernaut of a division, and to expect the 49ers, even with a last place schedule, to easily go worst to first is putting a lot of confidence in everything going right like it did in 2019. 

I may be one of the few people down on the 49ers this season, but it’s going to take a lot for me to have confidence in a team that essentially started the offseason by saying it doesn’t want the guy it named its starting quarterback to be there much past this season. I think they’re a little overrated heading into the 2021 season. 

PREDICTION: UNDER 10.5 WINS (-105)

EXACT WIN TOTAL: 9 WINS (+500)

Iain MacMillan:

Everyone is expecting the 49ers to return to Super Bowl form this year after being devastated with injuries last season, and I don’t know if that will necessarily be the case.

Is Jimmy G the answer at quarterback? Is Trey Lance NFL ready? I have a feeling they may flip flop between the two guys this season and be in a similar situation to what we saw with Fitzpatrick and Tua in Miami last year.

Thankfully for them, all their best players are back, and they’ll certainly be better than they were last season, but their divisional opponents have gotten a lot better and I’m not fully sold on their offense.

Extremely tough call, and I won’t die on the hill, but I’m actually going to go with under 10.5 wins.

PREDICTION: UNDER 10.5 WINS (-105)

EXACT WIN TOTAL: 10 WINS (+325)

Will the San Francisco 49ers Make the Playoffs? | MISS THE PLAYOFFS (+145), MAKE THE PLAYOFFS (-190)

Ben Heisler: The 49ers will make the playoffs, and they'll be one of the three teams coming out of the NFC West to get there. I still have the Rams winning the division as the most balanced team in the West, and I like Arizona to surprise as well this year. More on that when their team previews come out.

Ultimately, I trust Kyle Shanahan too much to put together a strong, competitive game plan each week that will maximize the strengths of this offense, even with likely regression coming on the other side of the ball. I hope we get to see Trey Lance as early as possible, because his skillset is as tantalizing as anything I've seen at that position in a long time, and I live in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes!

PREDICTION: YES (-190)

Donnavan Smoot:

Write it in stone! The 49ers will make the playoffs. The NFC West is the best division in football and the 49ers are going to show everyone why they are the best team out there. San Francisco is going to make a run at the bye in the NFC, along with the division crown. 

Even if the 49ers stay with Jimmy G all season, he’s proven he can thrive in that system and not mess up the game plan. It’s going to be a tough season, especially with the Rams improving at quarterback and Seattle being a consistent force, but I feel that San Francisco’s talent away from quarterback will help them thrive. 

PREDICTION: YES (-190)

Peter Dewey: 

This might be the most begrudging yes of all time, but I think the 49ers sneak into the postseason with nine wins as the final wild card team  in the NFC. 

The NFC West has a chance to sport three playoff teams this year, and with the NFC North and NFC East being as weak as they are, I think the 49ers can still find their way into a playoff position. 

This is far from the same team that made the Super Bowl in 2019, and I don’t think they should be considered a lock, especially in their division, but there is enough talent on the roster to warrant a playoff berth. 

Maybe Garoppolo or Lance prove me wrong and lead the 49ers to a division title, but if they can stay healthy they should be better than Washington, Minnesota and others fighting for this last playoff position. 

PREDICTION: YES (-190)

Iain MacMillan:

There will at least be one team from the NFC West this season, and I think at least one of those teams will be the 49ers. Kyle Shannahan has proven that his system, especially the offense, is effective. The true end to the Falcons Super Bowl window was when Shanahan signed with the 49ers, and I’ve missed him ever since.

Even with injuries to the large majority of their top players last season, the 49ers were still in the hunt for a wild card spot with a handful of weeks left to go. Their quarterback situation is still a big concern for me, but as long as they stay healthy, the rest of the team should be good enough to carry them to the postseason.

PREDICTION: YES (-190)

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Every day from the start of NFL Training Camp, the BetSided team of Ben Heisler, Donnavan Smoot, Peter Dewey, and Iain MacMillan are breaking down the win totals, playoff, and Super Bowl odds for every team in the NFL.

Up next, we preview the betting outlook for the Seattle Seahawks and check out our earlier team-by-team betting previews.

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