NFL Predictions 2009: San Francisco fans are wondering if they have been duped into a positive feeling by another strong 49er finish as the team won four of their last five 2008 games. The team concluded the year with a 7-9 record and took second place in the NFC West division. Odds makers at SBGglobal.com appear to be leery; the bookmaker's San Francisco 49ers NFL Predictions 2009 have the regular season win total is set at 7.5 with the under a -115 favorite.
Mike Singletary took over as interim head coach last year when the 49ers fired Mike Nolan seven games into the season. The former Bears great got off to a rough start, going 0-4 before getting things turned around in the final five games. The finish was strong enough that San Francisco ownership decided to remove the interim title and make Singletary the head coach going forward.
The offense would appear to have a long way to go before the 49ers can be considered a serious contender for anything. Last year the team averaged a miserable 18.4 points per game and an even more pathetic 274 yards per outing. San Francisco drafted Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree in the first round for this reason, but negotiations with the All American are currently at an impasse. Crabtree is threatening to sit out the season and re-enter the draft next year.
Shaun Hill will most likely earn the starting quarterback job after throwing for 2046 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight starts a season ago. Frank Gore, who returns as the feature back, is a proven weapon, but there is not much around him. Without Crabtree, the second best option to Gore is veteran wideout Iaasc Bruce, who will turn 37 this year.
The other issue for the coaching staff is an offensive line that gave up a league worst 55 sacks in 2008, while paving the way for a paltry 100 yards rushing per game average.
San Francisco's defense, while definitively the stronger half of the team, was anything but a powerhouse. The unit ranked 25th in points per game allowed (24.5) and 20th in passing yards allowed. However, there are some quality pieces in place with linebacker Patrick Willis, defensive end Justin Smith, and cornerback Nate Clements.
The team added Dre' Bly and Demetric Evans in the off-season, which should help. A major boon, though, would be for last year's first round pick, defensive end Kentwan Balmer, to develop into an every down player with pass rushing capabilites.
San Francisco opens the year on September 13th in Arizona to take on the defending NFC Champion Cardinals.
SBGglobal.com San Francisco 49ers NFL Predictions 2009 – Super Bowl Odds 2010
San Francisco 49ers Regular Season Win Total:
Over 7.5 (-105)
Under 7.5 (-115)
San Francisco 49ers Odds to Win the NFC West:
+285
San Francisco 49ers Odds to Win the 2010 NFC Championship:
+2250
San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Odds 2010:
+4800
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