San Francisco 49ers 2019 NFL betting preview

San Francisco 49ers at a glance

2018 Record: 4-12, third in the NFC West Key Additions: LB Kwon Alexander, LB Dee Ford, RB Tevin Coleman, DE Nick Bosa, WR Deebo Samuel Key Losses: P Bradley Pinion, WR Pierre Garçon, RB Alfred Morris

Future Odds

Season preview

The San Francisco 49ers will be in the running for most improved team in 2019. There was plenty of promise early in 2018, but franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an ACL injury in Week 3 that sunk their season. C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens split the starts the rest of the way, and the team ended up a wanting 21st in points per game at 21.4.

Expect big things on offense

Tight end George Kittle emerged as one of the game’s elite, however, and hauled in the most receiving yards of anyone at his position last year. Running back Matt Breida was a pleasant surprise in his sophomore season, as he averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 153 attempts.

Not content to just simply wait for Garoppolo to return, San Francisco decided to bring in more wide receiver help in veteran Jordan Matthews and rookie Deebo Samuel (second-round draft pick). Free agent signee Tevin Coleman is another versatile option Garoppolo will have lining up in the backfield.

Defense could be the Achilles' heel

While the Niners might develop a top-10 attack, their defense could still be a sticking point in 2019. It won’t be for lack of attention to the unit, as San Francisco signed linebacker Kwon Alexander and traded for linebacker Dee Ford.

San Francisco also spent its first-round draft pick on defensive end Nick Bosa, but the 49ers have a lot of work to do to improve on their 28th-place ranking in points allowed per game a year ago (27.2). They could have used some more assistance in the secondary, as the Niners were 31st in opponent passer rating last year (105.4).

Easy schedule early on will help

The 49ers' schedule starts off easily enough, with dates against the Buccaneers and Bengals, but then they play the Steelers, Browns and Rams, with an undesirable Week 4 bye in between.

They close the season with a brutal final six games against the Packers, Ravens, Saints, Falcons, Rams and Seahawks, who combined for a 59-36-1 record in 2018. Predicting five more wins for the 49ers this year seems too bold. Bettors should lean toward the Under on their season win total.

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