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49ers Favored to Win Super Bowl 54 for First Time After Ravens Upset

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Mar 9, 2021 · 5:32 PM PST

Raheem Mostert San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) gains yards on a run during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, November 29, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Rams 23-20. (John Cordes/AP Images for Panini)
  • The San Francisco 49ers are +165 favorites to win the Super Bowl
  • Previous favorites the Baltimore Ravens, who posted an NFL-best 14-2 record, were eliminated from the playoffs Saturday by the Tennessee Titans
  • San Francisco hasn’t won the Super Bowl since 1995; are they a good bet to do it this year?

On the one hand, the San Francisco 49ers have won more Super Bowls than any team left in the NFL playoffs. On the other hand, of the three NFC team still left in the hunt this season, the Niners have gone the longest since their last Super Bowl win.

Oddsmakers like the chances of that drought ending for San Francisco more today than they have at any point this season. The sportsbook lists the 49ers as favorites in their 2020 Super Bowl odds at +165.

2020 Super Bowl Odds

Team Odds
San Francisco 49ers +165
Kansas City Chiefs +200
Tennessee Titans +500
Green Bay Packers +800
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Houston Texans +1800

Odds taken Jan. 12

The Niners most recently won the Super Bowl in 1995.

49ers Move to Head of Class

This is the first time all season that the 49ers have been shown in the betting line as the Super Bowl favorite. A week ago, on average across the leading sportsbooks, they were the second betting choice at odds of +311.

Entering the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens were the chalk to win it all at average odds of +196. But the Ravens, who posted an NFL-best 14-2 mark during the regular season, were stunned 28-12 by the Tennessee Titans.

Amazingly, the Niners opened the NFL season listed at odds of +4500 to win the Super Bowl. An 8-0 start to the season saw San Fran’s odds steadily shorten. But a 5-3 second half led to some doubt as to whether the 49ers were legitimate contenders.

Winning their final game of the season 26-21 at Seattle to clinch the NFC West Division crown, coupled with Saturday’s 27-10 Divisional Round dismantling of the Minnesota Vikings, looks to have eased any concerns about the Niners.

Pillaging the Vikings

San Francisco’s lethal combination of a versatile offense and a dominant defense did in the Vikings.  Up 17-10 on Minnesota early in the third quarter, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman picked off a Kirk Cousins pass.

On the ensuing drive, San Fran ran the ball right down the throat of the Vikings’ ninth-ranked rushing defense. The Niners called eight successive run plays that gained a cumulative 44 yards on the ground, culminating in Tevin Coleman’s two-yard touchdown run.

The defense did the rest. Six of Minnesota’s 11 drives ended in three and outs. The Vkings had as many punts as they had first downs (seven apiece).

Waiting for the Super Bowl

Of teams with at least three Super Bowl appearances, San Francisco’s .833 winning percentage (5-1) is best. But San Fran’s last win in the big game came in Super Bowl 29.

The other two NFC teams remaining in the hunt show more recent Super Bowl triumphs on their resumes. The Seahawks won Super Bowl 48. The Green Bay Packers captured Super Bowl 45.

The Best of What’s Left

The Niners have home-field advantage for the NFC Championship. They whipped the Packers there 37-8 earlier this season. They split two games with Seattle, winning on the road after losing at home in overtime.

Whoever they play, the Niners simply have too many weapons on both sides of the ball to be denied. With the Saints, Patriots and Ravens all out of the way, their path to the Super Bowl is clear.

Good for you if you got in on the 49ers at +4500. But even at +175, they’re still a worthy play.

Pick: San Francisco 49ers (+175)


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