NFL Teams Betting - San Francisco 49ers - NFC West

You won't find a better group of linebackers than in San Francisco. All-Pro Patrick Willis teams with his third-year protg Navorro Bowman in the middle, while Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith rush on the edges. They fill gaps in the run game and are possibly the most athletic backers in the league when it comes to pass defending/rushing. The tough games on the 49ers schedule are spread out nicely through the year. They open vs. Green Bay, welcome the Super Bowl champion New York Giants in Week 6, face-off against Chicago and New Orleans in consecutive weeks 11 and 12, and walk into a tough late-season matchup against the Patriots in Foxborough in Week 15.

The 49ers blew their cover last season. They’re not going sneak up on anyone this year after making a stunning run to the NFC title game during coach Jim Harbaugh’s rookie season. The 49ers went 13–3 during the regular season, running away with the NFC West crown and establishing themselves as a defensive powerhouse. They opened the playoffs with a 36–32 victory over the Saints, then pushed the Giants to overtime in the NFC title game before falling 20–17.

Not bad considering that Harbaugh took over a 6–10 team and, thanks to the lockout, didn’t get to coach the 49ers until training camp opened.

Harbaugh set the bar ridiculously high, but no one should be stunned if the 49ers make another run deep into the NFC playoffs in his second season. Almost every starter from last year’s team is back, and the 49ers added some offensive weapons. They signed a trio of free agents — wide receivers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham and running back Brandon Jacobs — then used their top two draft picks on speedy Illinois wideout A.J. Jenkins and explosive Oregon running back LaMichael James.