Nobody could knock the 2022/2023 San Francisco 49ers. The team went 13-4 during the regular season. Then they made the conference championship before getting creamed by the Philadelphia Eagles, after losing three quarterbacks to injuries. Brock Purdy went down during the first quarter of that last playoff game.
But the poor final-showing has not soured 888sport’s oddsmakers on the 49ers’ prospects for the coming season. At 9/1 odds, the 49ers are in a three-way tie for the third likeliest team to win the Super Bowl.
And that is helped by recent news that Nick Bosa, an integral part of the unit for his league-leading sacks, signed a five-year, $170 million contract, just days before the 49ers opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10.
Outright Winner - San Francisco 49ers
Betting on the Niners will cost you a little, as the 888 money-line has the team as a 3/4 favourite. But it might be worth it.
Totally promising is Brock Purdy in the starting quarterback position. He laid groundwork for the position last year, after taking over from the foot-injured Jimmy Garoppolo (now with the Las Vegas Raiders).
Amazingly, Purdy’s stats have him at 7-0 in the games he started. He helped take the team to the NFC finals, which they might have won had he not torn a ligament in his right elbow soon after the game started. But now he is back in action and ready to lead SF.
Purdy is not alone in bringing the heat for his 49ers. The NFL Network has nine of Purdy’s teammates on its “Top 100 Players of 2023” list.
They include the veteran Trent Williams, who reigns as one of the NFL’s most effective offensive tackles, wide receiver Deebo Samuel whose sticky hands led him to make 56 receptions for 632 yards last season, and Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey.
Stats show him having rushed into the end zone for eight touchdowns while logging another five after catching passes.
Teamed with fellow running back Elijah Mitchell, who recovered from a strain that could have had him sidelined for the season opener, McCaffrey is one half of a formidable on-the-ground combination.
Mitchell told the local NBC affiliate that he is benefitting from playing alongside the more seasoned McCaffrey. “I think we feed off each other,” Mitchell said. “Seeing what he’s doing, I’m always asking him questions. He’s an animal.”
In terms of his own prospects, he added, “I’m on the verge of wanting to have a big year and run like I usually run.”
Fans of the 49ers won’t be running like NFL stars, but they will have opportunities to walk in style on game days. Nike just released its Air Zoom Pegasus 40 San Francisco 49ers running shoes.
They’re done up in black and highlighted in 49ers red. They look awesome and will leave nobody wondering which side you support.
