San Francisco 49ers 2012-2013 NFL Futures Lines & Predictions
The 49ers finally got it right last year, and because of that, many people (including their biggest critics) will be expecting them to be back in the hunt again this coming season.
2012 San Francisco 49ers Team Preview/Predictions
2011 Record: 13-3
ATS Record: 12-3-1
2012 49ers Futures
Super Bowl Odds: 10/1
Conference Odds: 11/2
NFC West Odds: 4/9
San Francisco didn’t have a lot to improve upon this off-season, and after dabbling in the quarterback market, ultimately resigned a resurrected Alex Smith. It was probably the best choice in the long run for the team, as they were finally rewarded with Smith’s long-awaited breakthrough year in 2011.
Smith dazzled 49ers fans, exceeding expextations while eclipsing the 3,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, and had a wealth of other career highs, including completion percentage and quarterback rating. He threw for 17 touchdowns during the 2011 season, and limited himself to just five interceptions. And if he is able to replicate that, then the ‘Niners will be in prime position to make another deep run in the 2012 season.
Meanwhile, often-injured running back Frank Gore — ironically enough was not injured at all last season.
And the result? One of the best seasons of his career.
It was the first time since 2006 that the “Frank the Tank” appeared in every game too.
Still, the team fortified their starter with the addition of Brandon Jacobs, and an exciting rookie in Oregon’s LaMichael James. They all will join the emerging Kendall Hunter. If Gore stays healthy, San Francisco will have one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL this coming season.
Finally, offensively, Smith will need to adjust his passing game, finding a way to get comfortable enough to throw deep. Last year, Smith excelled at throwing the deep ball –he just didn’t do it often enough.
Now he will have every opportunity to put up ball out there every game, racking up yardage with the weapons at his disposal. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Everyone knows about the crew from a year ago with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, but the 49ers didn’t rest on last season’s success. They went out and picked up Randy Moss and Mario Manningham.
Moss could be that one remaining missing piece on offense, and definitely has the potential to catapult the 49ers into their first Super Bowl in nearly 20 years. However, he also has the potential to flame out as he did in his second stint in Minnesota. Nevertheless, if Smith can at least replicate most of what he did last year, the team should be able to overcome any potential Moss meltdown.
Finally, yet most importantly, is the 49ers defense, who had in 2011, 11 returning starters. Therefore, it is only natural for some to expect greatness for this unit in 2012.
The 49ers were league leaders in several key defensive categories last season, including turnovers and turnover margin.
While it was just a phenomenal year, I would be surprised if that kind of success would be sustainable from last to this year. They had some serious holes in the secondary in 2011, and the team did nothing to shore them up during the offseason.
However, if the defense can measure up in the slightest, San Francisco’s offense, if given enough time will have no trouble carrying this team in 2012.
2012 49ers Predictions
Place they’ll finish in NFC West: 1st
Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 1st
