San Francisco’s Odds to Make the Playoffs Fade to +210 After Garoppolo and Kittle Injuries
- The NFL playoff odds for the San Francisco 49ers faded to +210
- The defending NFC champions are 4-4 on the season
- San Francisco counts 26 players on the club’s injury list
Considering the plight of the San Francisco 49ers, perhaps it’s astonishing in itself that there’s still talk of the team making the playoffs this season.
The 49ers, who play host to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in a rematch of the 2019 NFC Championship Game, are 4-4. Monday, the team got news that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle injury) would be lost for six weeks. Tight end George Kittle (foot) is gone for eight weeks.
There are currently 26 players on the Niners’ injury list.
Any wonder then that the 49ers’ odds to make the NFL playoffs climbed from +118 to +210?
Odds San Francisco 49ers Will Make NFL Playoffs
| Yes Odds | No Odds |
|---|---|
| +210 | -270 |
Odds as of Nov. 3rd at FanDuel.
San Francisco was an NFC-best 13-3 last season before winning the NFC Championship.
Niners Feeling the Pain
Kittle and Garoppolo were the latest additions to an astonishingly lengthy San Francisco injury report. It would take more time to list all the injured 49ers than it would to paint the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Fran is especially depleted at the skill positions. Running backs Jeffrey Wilson (calf) and Raheem Mostert (knee) are on IR.
Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six weeks and possibly longer if surgery is needed, per source.
George Kittle is out eight weeks with a broken bone in his foot, which means his season could be over.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2020
Running back Tevin Coleman, just back from IR, re-injured his knee Sunday against Seattle in his return to the lineup. He didn’t practice Monday and his status for Thursday’s game is doubtful. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) will be out another two weeks.
Hroniss Grasu is the 49ers’ only healthy center. Starter Weston Richburg (knee/shoulder) is on the PUP list. Backup Ben Garland (calf) is on IR.
A partial list of #49ers players on injured reserve or likely headed there soon:
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
RB Raheem Mostert
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
WR Jalen Hurd
TE George Kittle
TE Jordan Reed
DL Nick Bosa
DL Dee Ford
DL Solomon Thomas
CB Richard Sherman— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 2, 2020
On defense, edge rusher Nick Bosa (ACL), the 2019 NFL DROY, is already lost for the season. All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman (calf), defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee), and DE Dee Ford (back) are on IR. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (groin) are both questionable for Thursday’s game with the Packers.
Things are so ridiculous that veteran DE Ezekiel Ansah, signed to offset the rash of injuries along the defensive front, was injured in practice and placed on IR without playing a game.
There was a glimmer of good news on the injury front. The Niners are expected to activate former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed (ankle/knee) from IR for Thursday. He could help fill the void left by Kittle’s absence.
It’s Nick’s Time
Nick Mullens will be the man under center in Garoppolo’s absence. He gave a good accounting of himself in relief on Sunday. Mullens passed for 238 yards and two touchdowns, posting a passer rating of 128.4 during a 37-27 loss in Seattle.
Nick Mullens is all #49ers fans right now. pic.twitter.com/KbBaWOs4r2
— Jennifer Lee Chan – threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) November 2, 2020
Historically, though, he’s not been the answer. Mullens is 4-6 as a starter. He’s thrown 17 TDs against 13 interceptions.
In 2018, the Niners ended up going 4-12 after losing Garoppolo for the season to a knee injury. Mullens went 3-5 as his replacement.
Super Bowl Loser Curse
There’s a long history of disappointing follow-up campaigns for NFC teams that were losers in the Super Bowl. The 49ers are certainly taking this curse to the extreme, though.
The 1971 Dallas Cowboys were the last NFC team to lose in the Super Bowl and return to the big game the following season.
In the rugged NFC West, 4-4 is only good enough for last place. The injury-riddled Niners have three more divisional games, plus meetings with the Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills over their final eight games.
Playoffs? Are we really talking about playoffs?
San Francisco will be lucky to win three more games.
Pick: No (-270)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
