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Listen to NFL Vegas sharps RJ Bell and Steve Fezzik join co-host Jonas Knox on ‘Straight Outta Vegas’ to preview the 3rd ranked team on their 2020 win/total prediction rankings, the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers will try to overcome the mysterious infamous ‘Losers Curse’ of Super Bowl runner-ups, as the loser of the NFL’s biggest game haven’t exactly fared well in their encore season.
Only the 1971 Cowboys, 1972 Dolphins, and 2018 Patriots have followed up a Super Bowl loss with a Super Bowl win the following season.
Since 1988, 13 Super Bowl runner-ups have failed to reach the postseason the following year, including 10 of those teams actually finishing under .500.
Most recent busts were the 2019 Rams, who went 9-7 and missed the playoffs after losing to New England in Super Bowl 53, and the 2016 Panthers who went 6-10 after they lost to the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
The 49ers became only the third team in league history to reach the Super Bowl following a season in which they won 4 games or fewer, going 4-12 in 2018 to 13-3 in 2019.
San Fran is definitely one of the most complete teams in the league heading into 2020, following a season in which they were 1 of only 2 teams (Ravens) to rank in the top 5 of the league in total offense AND total defense. They will return 10 of 11 starters from a defensive unit that ranked 2nd in total defense, allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL, was 2nd in third down defense, and 5th in sacks.
Notable acquisitions included wide receiver Jaron Brown from the Seahawks, tight end Jordan Reed from the Redskins, left tackle Trent Williams also from the Redskins, defensive end Dion Jordan from the Raiders, safety Johnathan Cyprien from the Falcons, and drafted DT Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina in the first round.
Key losses were Matt Breida, Emmanuel Sanders, Marquise Goodwin, Joe Staley, Mike Person, DeForest Buckner, and Sheldon Day.
Their odds to win the Super Bowl are 10/1, their odds to win the NFC are 5/1, their odds to win the NFC West are 10/11, and they’re -410 to make the playoffs.
Check out the entire segment above.